The best way to clean ipe deck for a fresh finish

If you are looking for the best way to clean ipe deck surfaces, you probably already know that this wood is a bit of a different beast compared to your standard pressure-treated pine or cedar. Ipe is incredibly dense—so dense, in fact, that it's often called "ironwood." Because it's so tightly packed with natural oils and fibers, it doesn't absorb things the way other woods do. That's a blessing for durability, but it can make cleaning a bit of a puzzle if you don't use the right approach. ...

May 14, 2026 · 7 min · Emmanuelle Blein