Got decking that's looking a bit worse for wear? Luckily, it's usually possible to make your deck look as good as new without spending hours scrubbing. All you'll need is a pressure washer that's not too powerful - too much pressure can actually damage soft wood.

Step 1: Prepare Your Pressure Washer

Before you get started on your deck, make sure that you have a fully working pressure washer. If you've got any parts missing, check out a parts supplier or get a local repair shop to take a look. A faulty pressure washer won't make the job any easier and could be dangerous to use.

Next, you'll need to choose the correct pressure setting. For soft woods like cedar, don't go above 600psi. For harder woods, you should be able to get away with a pressure up to 1500psi. If in doubt, start lower and increase gradually.

Step 2: Wash Your Deck

Once you've prepared your pressure washer and chosen your pressure, you should test in a small, inconspicuos area. Try to stay at least 12 inches away from the deck at all times - getting too close could cause damage. If you're satisfied with your pressure and distance, sweep back and forth to clean the entire deck, starting closest to the building. Keep your movements slow and consistent to avoid missing areas.

Step 3: Sand Fibres Away

No matter how careful you are, getting wood wet will usually result in some fibers sticking out. You'll be able to deal with the issue pretty easily by leaving the deck to dry, then sanding using 100 grit sandpaper. Once you've finished sanding, your deck should look good as new. If you want to go one step further, you have the option of staining and re-sealing your deck - and you've now got the perfect surface to work with.