Oxygen Bleach Cleaners

• Choose oxygen bleach cleaners when possible to remove the old stain from wood decks. These cleaners contain sodium percarbonate, a chemical that removes the stain and any damage from the surface of the wood, but won't cause damage to nearby plants, pets or humans, according to Dave Barnes of SaverSystems. Use oxygen bleach cleaners by mixing them with water in the amounts recommended on the packaging and applying them to the deck surface with hard-bristled scrubber or broom.