Glossary
Sodium Percarbonate
Definition
Sodium percarbonate is an oxygen-based cleaner that releases hydrogen peroxide and soda ash in water, used to clean and brighten wood decks without the harshness of chlorine.
On wood, sodium hypochlorite tends to gray the fibers and damage the surface, so most deck pros reach for sodium percarbonate instead. It lifts dirt, mildew, and gray oxidation while being gentler on the lignin that gives wood its color.
It is commonly the active ingredient in a deck cleaner, applied, allowed to dwell, then rinsed. Many deck workflows follow it with an oxalic-acid brightener to neutralize the alkalinity and restore an even tone before sealing.