Tag: wood fence cleaning without pressure washing

When it comes to exterior design, wooden fences are elegant and timeless; they are also affordable and robust because of the amount of wooden fencing. They are not only eco-friendly but also able to increase the value of your home and are simple to repair if they are ever damaged. However, if you live in a cold, humid region, dirt, algae development, and mildew may readily damage wooden fences.

If your fence isn’t protected by a protective stain, chances are you are having trouble with this exact issue. But don’t worry, you can learn how to clean a wood fence using items you probably already have at home without using pressure washing or other high-tech equipment.

Here is a step-by-step guide on the most effective approaches to wood fence cleaning.

Can I clean a wood fence without pressure washing?

It is entirely possible to clean a wood fence without a pressure washer and in fact, more beneficial. Believe it or not, if your pressure washer has a higher PSI it can actually damage and break the wood. Moreover, you would still have to scrub, rinse, and repeat the process if you were to use a pressure washer. Overall, pressure washing fences is a job best left to the experts, which is why we’re here to explain how to clean your wooden fence at home using better and more efficient methods.

Steps To Clean A Wood Fence Without Using A Pressure Washer

Cleaning or Replacement?: Identify the Problem

Take some time to examine your fence more closely before you start cleaning. It might not be able to clean your fence if it is quite old and has severe deterioration such as decay. In fact, any cleaning methods you choose might end up doing more harm than good. If your wood fence has reached the end of its lifespan, nothing would be capable of restoring it. Perform a comprehensive examination before you begin the cleaning procedure.

Wrap Plastic Around The Perimeter Of The Fence

Once you have determined that your fence requires extensive cleaning, you must wrap plastic or a protective sheet around its perimeter, being careful to protect any plants or concrete from potentially damaging chemical cleaners. The same applies to any garden features in your front and backyard when you are cleaning your fence, just as baseboards and flooring need to be covered during an interior paint job. In-home improvement stores like Lowe’s and Home Depot, plastic sheeting is easily accessible. Make sure to cover all greenery up to a meter from the fence, including the grass and plants. Since you’ll be working with items like bleach and preservatives, wear an apron and gloves made for handling chemicals for additional safety.

Start With Water

Since dirt is the main cause of deterioration and is readily removed by a garden hose, often just some plain old water is all that is required to restore the fence’s natural color. You could use a scraper while washing your fence if you are also dealing with buildup.

Use a Small Amount of Soap

You can also use dish soap and warm water to scrub the fence using a soft bristle brush, a soft cloth, or a sponge in order to get into the fine grits of the wood. You’ll need to use a little elbow grease on stubborn stains, but remember to rinse after each scrubbing. To cleanse the wood, we advise using Dawn dish soap or Castile soap. Keep in mind that using dish soap is only practical for a freshen-up and won’t work if you have mold or algae problems. After cleaning the whole fence, make sure it is properly cleaned and soap-free before allowing the fence to dry naturally.

Use Oxygenated Bleach To Clean

For algae buildup or mold stains, household bleach is your best choice. Because bleach is a strong cleaning agent, it should be used carefully to prevent harm to your fence, plants, or any animals that may be lurking in your garden. Many people clean wooden fences with household bleach, but doing so wrong can cause deterioration and staining. Runoff from chlorine bleach can also damage nearby plants, decks, and other structures. To clean a wood fence with bleach, we recommend soaking the affected area with a solution of 2 teaspoons of oxygenated bleach powder diluted in a gallon of water for at least 15-20 minutes before taking a stiff brush and scrubbing away.

Algae Buildup Should Be Removed Using a Scrub Brush and a Natural Mixture

A scrub brush should be used to manually remove any textured algae or moss development in order to eliminate algae buildup since its bristles are tougher and different from those of a standard cleaning brush. To remove the green algae, soak your scrub brush in a mix of water, vinegar, and baking soda. One mild stream of water from the hose will be sufficient to remove the stains once you notice the algae starting to split and become loose. Vinegar is effective in removing mildew because it has a moderately acidic pH. Baking soda helps scrape off the grime because it is an abrasive substance as well.

Sand Tough Stains

If you’ve exhausted all of your chemical cleaning options and there are still some stains embedded in the wood, sanding them off—though a harsh approach—will assist in physically removing the stain-affected top layer of the wood. A sanding tool that may be rented from a hardware store or home improvement store can be used for this. A cheaper option is to buy sandpaper and put in the work. Both are effective and will accomplish the desired result.

Treat With Wood Preservative

After you are done cleaning your wooden fence and it is finally looking fresh and close to brand new, you should treat it with a wood preservative to make sure that algae and mold are not recurring problems. You must allow your fence to completely dry out before staining it, and you should pick a warm, dry day for the task. The ideal tool to use to completely stain a fence is a medium-sized brush. To achieve better coverage, begin painting the fence from top to bottom using short, rapid strokes. The sort of wood your wood fence is composed of will determine whether you need to apply another coat after eight hours.

The dangers of mixing chemicals

You should never mix cleaning chemicals as they can produce toxic gases. If you are going to implement multiple products in one cleaning, the surface needs to be washed thoroughly.

Here is a rough guide on what you shouldn’t mix:

• Vinegar and bleach produce chlorine gas. Coughing, difficulty breathing, burning, and watery eyes might result from this. Hydrochloric and hypochlorous acids are also produced by combining chlorine gas with water.
• Chloramine is created when bleach and ammonia are combined. Chest discomfort and breathing difficulties may result from this.
• Rubbing alcohol and bleach combine to make chloroform. It can damage the eyes, skin, liver, and kidneys, Inhaling or ingesting chloroform might have harmful effects.
• Vinegar and hydrogen peroxide produce peracetic/peroxyacetic acid. This mixture has the propensity to corrode heavily.

Frequently Asked Questions