Tuesday, May 8, 2012

All Hands On Deck

I should be ashamed to share this yakabout today. I should be ashamed to show the picture, too, but I'm doing it anyway.

I guess I'm just altruistic. 

I'm willing to sacrifice my dignity to tell you about something that really works like a charm.

It's not Monistat Chafing Gel for the face this time. I've already yakked about that.. I've even copped to slathering a little Preparation H on there, too, because apparently,  I have no pride.

Today's tip is about a weathered barn face of another sort. It's the weathered floor of our back deck.

Ready?



If you're wondering how in the world it got that bad, I will remind you that this little deck of mine is located smack dab in the middle of the Piney Stick Forest.  Even if it's cleaned every year, it still gets overtaken by the creeping crud. 

And it wasn't cleaned last year...


2011, as you might recall, was the year of The Pigeon-Toed Duck Waddle.  We hardly even stepped foot on the back deck, let alone clean it.  You pretty much avoid decks and other such torture chambers during a depressing south Georgia drought.

I realize that it looks as if it wasn't cleaned the year before that either, but I distinctly remember doing so.

Actually, I distinctly remember the husband doing so. Deck duty generally falls in his jurisdiction, just like lawn duty.  Lately, however, the Man of the House has been working really hard. He barely has enough time to tackle his front lawn and other house maintenance in the one day a week he usually has to do it.

He's a travelin' man, ya know. Plus, the slave labor we procreated isn't living at home anymore.

And so, I decided to embark on what I've called The Great Back Yard Surprise. I decided to divide the entire back of the house into manageable sections and conquer one section a week. Every Friday for the past month, he has come home to a different backyard surprise.  Last week, I surprised him by cleaning the back deck.

Remember all that new exercise equipment I said I'd yak about?

Well, here's a piece of it.


Just call me the Karate Kid. 


Usually, we use Thompson's Deck Wash for the spring deck cleaning, but when I got ready to clean, I really didn't feel like going to the store to get some. Instead, I tried this stuff.



I love OxiClean. They really should pay me to blog about it because I use it just about everywhere.  We had never tried it on the deck, though.

I made up a strong solution with some hot water (About 2 scoops per pail) and just dumped it on a portion of the deck to see how it worked.

Then, I got distracted.

Don't ask me what distracted me. I don't remember.  I just remember that when I finally made it back to the deck about a half hour later, I noticed that the OxiClean had been hard at work eating away at the creeping crud.  I gave it some stiff bristle action, rinsed it off, and just look at the difference.

That's when I decided to blog about it.


I could hardly believe it myself.  Commercial deck wash does not work that well.  

A work in progress.


  And finally, all cleaned and ready to reseal.  

I trimmed that hedge behind it too. 
Unfortunately, it looks a little bit like the bangs I used to trim on the daughters.

Whoops.  


He gave me two thumbs up for trying, though.

  What's more, he didn't even flinch when I told him 
that I thought we should embark on a 
 Great Deck Makeover Adventure. 
He just said,
 "Why don't you surprise me, Deb-or-ah..."

And that's exactly what I think I'll do. 
Because I'm strong.
I am invincible.
I am Deck Woman.

32 comments:

Gina said...

Wow, I'm so surprised! I can't believe what a nice job the OxyClean did...and you too, of course! ;)

corners of my life said...

I can't wait to show my deck cleaner, Mr. Corners. Wish I was more like you and would try it myself! Thanks for the hint . . .

Sue said...

We head to the cabin next week and I am going to try your magic deck cleaner on our monster deck. It looks amazing! Good for you!

Angela said...

Absolutely inspiring and roll on the ground High la ri ous!!!

Karen said...

Girl, right there with you!!!
I started on ours today. I totally agreee the deck cleaner DOES NOT work. I use good old Clorox and don't have to use a scrub brush. Can't wait to see what you stain/varnish with. Hang in there and hope you don't overdo.

Amy Kinser said...

Wow! That stuff worked well, didn't it? I use it along with my homemade laundry detergent for a little boost, but have never tried it anywhere else. I will be, though.

Happy backyard working to you, my friend.

http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/ said...

You are HILARIOUS woman, not merely deck woman!!

Really, the wood looks amazing. Where are the people whose products we use when we need them to showcase our wonderful stories??

Great job. What else could it do that we haven't even thought of yet??

Maryann said...

I really am impressed...I usually don't participate much in the cleaning part...can't separate a man from his power washer but I will be staining this weekend if the weather holds up. I really miss our slave labor.

Debbiedoos said...

Oh my gosh that looks so good. What hard work. Here I thought you were going to show yourself with hair dye on your head or something. I say that and laugh because that is what I did on my facebook page tonight! Not pretty either I tell ya.

Gaby said...

I don't know if I've told you this but your blog is the only one I read to my husband and I know he enjoys. The other ones he tolerates me reading to him (you know, girl stuff). But yours he likes because you post stuff like this. He actually said: "now, what did she do again?"

:)

At The Picket Fence said...

WOWEE!! That is some impressive stuff there! Of course with your elbow grease thrown in it made it super powerful. LOL!
Vanessa

Barbara F. said...

Great job, Debbie. Oxyclean, hm. I've only used it in the laundry. Now I will use it for my patio furniture. xo

The Polka Dot Closet said...

Wow, that sure was blog worthy...I wonder how well it would work on my paver patio...I bet it would. Not only are you funny your a genius!!

Carol

Lynn said...

That is quite the transformation! I have to clean the cement garden table and benches etc and I think I'll give this a try! Thanks for blazing the trail and sharing the great info:@)

Mary said...

WOW~ I'm so impressed! I have outdoor wooden chairs that have layers of mildewy crud on them, I'll try some oxyclean now. Thanks Deck Woman :)

Tricia said...

Wow, that OxyClean is amazing! That looked like a huge job, too -- despite the wonder-workin' power of OxyClean -- go, Debbie!

Susan Nowell @ My Place to Yours said...

Unbelievable! The yard is not my domain either, so (in more ways than one) I know what a HUGE gift this is for your hubby. Your deck looks fantastic ... but please don't over-do! I need you to keep the good laughs coming my way. :-)

Mrs. Kelley Dibble said...

DECK WOMAN! That is positively amazing! And you're right: Oxyclean SHOULD pay you! Whoa! Your "new" deck looks DECKtacular!

Can't wait to see the makeover! tee*hee

Vee said...

Oh I've chuckled all the way through this. Deck cleaning-misery so I am very glad to read your testimonial about Oxiclean, which clearly states that it is "versatile." I loved the "why don't you just surprise me" comment from your hubby. Turn the tables on him or you'll be doing every single outdoor chore. That can't be good.

Oh, I do wish that I could share this rain with you. Our troubles are mold and mildew on the deck. I think that's my job next come to think of it.

Vee said...

deck cleaning = (equals) misery...sorry for any confusion

kitty@ Kitty's Kozy Kitchen said...

Wow, that worked great on your deck...woo hoo!! I loved reading your post first thing this morning. It just put a smile on my face and made me happy. xoxo

The Decorative Dreamer said...

Oh this is great news! We (the Mr. and I) have been dancing around what to do about the ugly decks for weeks now. With so many unfinished chores piled up outside I haven't been making much of issue of it but there it is hanging over our to do list. In the past we have powerwashed it but the Mr. has decided this was not good for our deck. He refuses to use the powerwasher on them and always says I will scrub it. I'm sure he also remembers how difficult scrubbing it is though, because it's yet to be cleaned. We have used deck cleaners before then switched to just plain old clorox. I will have to pick up some of this stuff today since I am off and have to go to Wally's world. Thanks for sharing this with us! Your deck looks amazingly! I love it!

Francie...The Scented Cottage Studio said...

Ohhh THANK YOU DECK WOMAN ... to the rescue ! Your before is exactly what our deck looks like. Now I know what to use to clean it. Okay so you now need to send me some of that energy and motivation to do it...(())

Debbie said...

Good morning! WOW...I am totally impressed. Both with this amazing product, and with Deck Woman! haha Seriously, it looks great. I wonder if this would work on the mildew junk on our cement?? Might give that a try. Have a good day!

Denise said...

You are the invincible Deck Woman. Your deck looks great. The deck cleaner doesn't work well so this is truly a great alternative. I think they should pay you for endorsing their product.

Since I've seen what you've been pinning on Pinterest, I have a little idea what you're thinking for a makeover out there. It will look fabulous. I'd do the same if the husband would let me.

Always Nesting said...

What a difference in your deck. You really are Deck Woman. After seeing the bushes I can only imagine the bangs, but I'm sure your daughters loved the bangs anyway. :)

I'm embarrassed to say my deck looks pretty bad right now and is in dire need of some TLC. We haven't even pulled the chairs and cushions out of the shed or cleaned the grill.

Ann said...

WOW! I happen to have some OXIclean upstairs next to my washing machine. I'll have to bring it downstairs and set it next to the deck now! Ours too is in horrid shape ... don't think it got cleaned last year either.

So, perhaps I will surprise MY guy, and dump some Oxi clean on it before the weekend!

What a terrific job you and the Oxi clean did, Debbie!

Cheers!

Janettessage.blogspot.com said...

I AM WOMAN...W-O-M-A-N...but aren't we when we have hubbies that travel or work six to seven days a week...we build up those muscles...and fall in bed satisfied.

You have done an awesome job!! Enjoy that deck!! I am waiting for you to get comments like I have from women neighbors..."stop mowing your yard..you make the rest of us women look bad" LOL!!!

You have to do what you have to do...and it blesses our hard working husbands.

Sooner Laura said...

That's incredible! We've given up on decks in the south (sadly) they require SO much maintenance. But then my hubs insisted on wood patio furniture and said he'd oil it every year - twice a year. He did it once, I did it many times, now it's starting to dry out and crack. Wood + hot summers = lots of maintenance.

Anonymous said...

Debbie,
I am IMPRESSED! Looks terrific. And I have used the regular deck cleaner. You are absolutely right in your discovery. I'm using the oxyclean next time!

Tanna said...

Man, that Oxy-Clean really worked great!! Thanks for passing that along and Deb-or-ah, I am looking forward to seeing your next surprise!! LOL!! blessings ~ Tanna

Mevely317 said...

What a great idea! I just love OxiClean ... should be nominated for Product Sainthood (were there such a thing.)
UNfortunately, we don't have a deck. Yours is sooo pretty ... may I borrow it across the miles?

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