The Right Way To Cleaning A Wooden Fence

If your home is your castle, then it should come as no surprise that homeowners have been fortifying their realm with wood fences for centuries. From the quintessential white picket fence to a decorative barrier installed for privacy or protection, the options are endless. Regardless of what type of wood fence you choose, it’s important to keep it clean.

Cleaning your wood fence is easy if you first identify the cause of the stain and then use the proper cleaning technique and tools to remove it. The most common are a simple garden hose, power washer, bleach, or eco-friendly cleaner. Once you have thoroughly cleaned your fence, be sure to preserve and protect it.

Keep reading for expert advice on how to clean your wood fence and keep it looking its best for years to come.

Wood fences sit outside in the elements which lends them to getting dirty and stained. The most common causes are simple dirt and grime as well as more challenging stains caused by mold and mildew.

Before you begin the chore of cleaning your wood fence, you must first figure out what exactly it is that you are trying to clean. The common culprits are:

• Dirt and Debris – This includes everything from soil and mud to grass clippings.
• Mold and Mildew – Wood is a natural substance and mold and mildew tend to grow well on it, especially in Florida’s high heat and humidity.
• Green Algae – In areas shaded from sunlight, like behind trees and shrubs, you might notice green algae growing.
• Water Stains – High iron and mineral content in your sprinkler water can cause stains on your fence.

Once you have identified the cause of the dirt or stain, you can tackle the cleaning chore by choosing the proper tools and techniques. Wood is naturally porous and can become brittle and fragile from baking in the sun, so you need to make sure you are extra careful to not damage your fence – and the foliage around it – when cleaning.

Here is a list of cleaning tips arranged from the most gentle to the most aggressive:   

Garden Hose – The safest and most environmentally friendly cleaning process requires using just a simple garden hose. This is ideal for rinsing grass clipping or small clumps of dirt and mud from your fence. All you need to do is use a standard spray nozzle to wash the debris off of the fence.

Stubborn spots may require a more directed spray, or you could use a small scrub brush. It’s always a good idea to rinse your wood fence from the top down and keep the nozzle aimed at least six inches off the ground so that you don’t kick up dirt and mud, creating more of a mess.

Eco-Friendly Cleaners – There are plenty of cleaning products on the market, but harsh chemicals can harm your wood fence as well as your grass and shrubbery. Not to mention, some products can be toxic to pets (and children) who like to play in your yard. For that reason, it’s always best to start with eco-friendly cleaners whenever you can.

DIY website From House To Home shares tips on how to make an easy and inexpensive non-toxic deck cleaner, which is also safe to use on your wood fence. All you need to do is mix half a cup of oxygen cleaner (they recommend Oxi-Clean powder) with two gallons of warm water in a bucket.

Start by wetting your fence with a garden hose to open up the wood grain and to rinse away any clumps of dirt or debris. Then, use a scrub brush to apply the cleaner to the fence. Let the cleaning solution sit for about ten minutes and then rinse it off with the garden hose.

From House to Home also suggests you work in small sections to make sure the solution does not dry onto the fence. Stubborn stains may need to be spot treated. Oxygen bleach is also highly effective at removing green algae.

Bleach – More severe stains may require a stronger cleaning agent such as bleach. Not only will bleach help remove mold, mildew, hard water, and rust stains from your fence, but it will also help restore the wood’s original appearance. However, bleach can kill your grass and other vegetation, so start the cleaning process by covering everything with plastic tarps.

According to SFGate, you should mix one quart of chlorine bleach with one gallon of water. By diluting the bleach, you will be able to remove any stains without discoloring your wood fence. Pour the bleach mixture into a pump sprayer to allow for easy application.

Just like with the eco-friendly solution, you want to start by wetting the fence with water first and then applying the bleach solution from top to down. Let it sit for about five minutes before rinsing it away with a garden hose. You can clean away any stubborn mold and mildew stains by respraying the spots and using a scrub brush. Again, be sure to rinse the area with water to remove all of the bleach mixture.

Power Washer – Although it does not contain harsh chemicals (unless you add them to the reservoir), a power washer, or pressure washer as it is sometimes called, can be equally abrasive and damaging to your wood fence and surrounding plants if you are not careful.

The Family Handyman warns that if not used properly, a power washer can wear down the wood and ruin it. For that reason, it’s important that you use the right tools. You will need a 1,500 to 2,000 psi (pounds per square inch) power washer with a 25-degree spray tip. This will make sure that you are not using too much pressure and that it’s not targeted at one spot which could damage the wood.

Start by doing a test spray in a small area out of plain sight. This will allow you to get the setting and technique down pat before tackling a larger, more obvious section. Standing a couple of feet away, sweep the nozzle back and forth across the fence in small sections.

Proper power washing takes time. You may need to make several passes with the nozzle in order to thoroughly clean your fence. If you try to go too strong at once, you could damage the wood. Also, be sure to wear safety glasses to protect your eyes in case the power washer kicks back any dirt, debris, or even small pieces of wood.

Once you have thoroughly cleaned your wood fence, you will want to take the necessary steps to preserve and protect it. Before you do anything, you should wait a day or two to ensure it is completely dry before applying a stain or sealer or painting your wood fence. With proper maintenance, which includes regular cleaning, you can keep your wood fence looking like new for many years to come.

A wood fence can be both decorative and functional. While it can certainly enhance your yard’s appearance, a dirty fence can detract from it as well. Due to the terrain and the elements, dirt and debris as well as mold and mildew can commonly take hold and tarnish the look. That’s why you will want to do all you can to keep your wood fence clean. Fortunately, with the right tools and techniques, this can be a quick and easy process.

If you do not have time do these things by yourself, Freedom Fence is a trusted fence company servicing Sarasota and Bradenton. We are also installing fences in Port Charlotte area, and nearby areas.