There are many good quality stains that act as sealants to prevent moisture from breaking down wood fibers. Local climates determine how long your decks can go before the next sealant application. I live in severe cold and snow. The summers are quite gentle so the wood surfaces don’t sustain much damage from heat or sun, but the rain and snow really wreak havoc on softwood materials. unique synthetic wicker outdoor furniture Once the spot treatment is done you will want to get the deck wet with a garden hose to let the surface become porous and more receptive to the cleaner. You can use just about any deck cleaner mixed with dish soap or mild detergent.