No matter how cool your outdoor furniture and accessories, if your deck looks like heck, it's going to bring down everything else. The good news is that newer products make it faster than ever before to revive your deck.

First, you've got to start with cleaning to get off dirt, mildew and any remaining traces of previous coatings. Hey, you wouldn't wax a dirty car, so don't try to seal a dirty deck. Pick a deck cleaner suited specifically to your decks condition for best results.

After cleaning, protect your deck with the latest technology in deck waterproofers - Thompson's Water Seal Advanced Wood Protectors (about $20 a gallon). The best part about this waterproofer is that it can be applied to damp wood, so your cleaning and treating can happen in one day. (Most products have to be applied to dry wood, which can take 24-48 hours after cleaning.) Choose from Natural or use the five tinted colors to make a statement of style. Check out Thompsons Water Seal for more information on cleaning and protecting your deck.