As part of your exterior decor, a fence may get dirty over time which doesn’t only make it look unpleasant but can also damage it. Therefore, it’s so important for you to clean your fence on a regular basis.
You may think that you need a power washer to clean your wood fence which sounds quite tricky if you don’t have one. Though you can rent one, it can be quite pricey.
(Read also: How to Clean Mold on Leather Furniture in 4 Simple Steps)
In this article, we share a quick tutorial on how to wash wood fence by hand which is so easy to follow. You just have to prepare some easily-available tools and materials that will not cost you a lot.
How to Wash Wood Fence By Hand
What you need to prepare:
- Oxygenated bleach
- Wire brush
- Paintbrush
- Garden hose
- Container or bucket
Scrub the Fence
Before you start cleaning the fence by using any chemicals and water, you need to scrub off some build-up dirt like mud. You can use a wire brush to remove them but keep in mind to do it gently especially when you have a painted fence.
Once you are sure enough that the caked-on grime is all removed, rinse the fence by using a garden hose. If possible, you can set the pressure to medium to high power to better remove the dirt.
Apply the Solution
Prepare the oxygenated bleach and water, mix them according to the instructions on the packaging. This solution is really good to remove stains from the surface of your fence.
Dip the paintbrush into the solution and apply it to the surface of the fence. Let the solution sit for around 15 minutes. To finish the job quicker, you might want to use a large paintbrush.
Scrub and Rinse Again
After 15 minutes, you need to scrub off the solution by using a plastic bristle brush. Then, rinse the fence by using a garden hose. Make sure that you remove it completely.
Removing Stubborn Stain
Even when you have cleaned the fence by using the solution and taking the steps above, you might find some stains that are difficult to remove. They are mostly caused by mold, mildew, algae, and moss which needs a more thorough cleaning.
Here’s what you can do:
Mold and Algae
If you spot some green stains that you can’t remove by the mixture of oxygenated bleach and water, they must be mold and algae. To remove them, mix one part of chlorine bleach and two parts of water in the plastic container. Use a plastic bristle brush to remove the algae mold and algae then rinse it off completely.
Moss and Mildew
Moss and mildew can be as damaging as mold and algae, so it’s important to also remove them once you find the signs. You can use the mixture of a half cup of vinegar and one gallon of water then apply the solution by using a sponge. Let the solution sit for around 15 minutes and rinse by using a garden hose.
