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Now is the time to protect your wood deck, while the weather is still mild. Before you can protect it though, you’ll need to clean it so the stain or sealer will have a better chance to soak into the wood. A commercial deck cleaner or a mixture of bleach, detergent and water will do the trick.  After the deck has dried for at least 24 hours you can apply the sealer or stain. A pump up garden sprayer works well for thin sealers, while a roller may be better for the thicker stains. In either case, apply a small amount  and then back brush that area before applying more elsewhere. This process forces the sealant down into the pores of the wood to protect it from the long winter ahead.