Hi there, thank you for your review. I'm sorry to hear the cleaner did not work out for you. Our All-In-One Wood Cleaner is formulated to clean and brighten wood surfaces. It can also open the pores of the wood to help the stain properly adhere once the surface is dry. Properly cleaning the wood will help improve the longevity and durability of the stain. Typically, after applying the cleaner liberally to a wet deck, you'll want to allow the solution to sit for 10-15 minutes, then scrub the surface using a stiff bristle broom brush and rinse thoroughly. We appreciate your feedback. Please feel free to reach out to our Customer Care team directly for assistance or if you have any questions. Enjoy your day! - Randy