How to do fence cleaning for your home – a step by step guide
Looking to spiffy up your outdoor space? Even a small amount of fencing outside of your home can add character and aesthetic appeal to your yard or garden. Whether you have timeless wooden fencing or more modern vinyl fencing, you’ll want to keep it clean to ensure your home looks its best!
As with anything in life, there’s a right and a wrong way to clean your fence. Follow these step-by-step guidelines to quickly and easily get the job done right for whichever type of fence you own. Using the wrong cleaning solutions, tools, or techniques could result in a damaged fence—which is much worse than a dirty one!
Wooden Fencing
Wood, unlike other popular fencing options, is a plant-based material. It is therefore more likely to suffer from rot, decay, mold, and mildew as time marches on. Even so, wood is one of the most durable and long-lasting fencing materials when it’s properly maintained and kept clean. However, even just a teeny bit of neglect can lead to the need for an entirely new fence. You can avoid this, however, with regular cleaning and maintenance.
To clean a wooden fence yourself, you will need a wire brush, garden hose, fence cleaner, and soft plastic brush. As for a cleaning solution, you can always head to your local hardware store and buy a commercial product designed specifically for wooden decks and fences. Or, you can save some money and take a stab at creating your own concoction. We recommend diluted oxygenated bleach (free of chlorine) or diluted vinegar if you’d prefer a more natural cleaning solution. However, the latter probably won’t be as effective as using bleach or a commercial product.
1. Prep Your Fence
To begin, remove dried clumps of dirt and other debris with a wire brush. Be gentle when applying pressure as you don’t want to scratch your fence, but you can use enough force to remove any large clumps. Check for spiderwebs, leaves, and other solid debris you can remove by hand.
After most of this is removed, rinse your fence all over with your garden hose to prep the area for the cleaning solution.
2. Apply Your Cleaning Solution
If using a commercial product, follow the instructions carefully. Always use caution, especially with toxic products containing harmful chemicals.
If using oxygenated bleach, apply this over your entire fence with a large paintbrush or similar tool. Be sure to wear gloves and avoid contact with your skin. Let this soak in for at least 15 minutes but no more than an hour.
If using a more natural cleaning solution (like vinegar), mix your solution in a bucket and apply it generously to the surface of your fence using a sponge. Again, let it soak in for at least 15 minutes but no more than an hour.
3. Scrub—Using Some Elbow Grease!
Once your solution has soaked accordingly, it’s time to scrub! Don’t be afraid to put a little muscle into this step.
Using a soft bristle brush made of plastic, scrub your fence all over from top to bottom. Always brush with the grain to avoid damaging the wooden surface of your fence. Reapply the cleaning solution as necessary for any tough spots, giving a little extra TLC to those that really need some love.
If your fence has mold, be sure to wear a mask and gloves to protect yourself from any fumes (as mold can be incredibly harmful to your lungs and skin). Keep kids and pets away during this process as well.
4. Rinse
Once your fence is cleaned to your liking, rinse the entire surface down with your garden hose. Use additional pressure to fully rinse off all cleaning solution remnants.
Next, give your fence a final check to make sure it’s dirt-free. If needed, repeat Steps 2-4 as many times as it takes to get that fence looking sparkly clean.
5. Paint, Stain, and Protect!
Wait several days for your wooden fence to fully dry before beginning this step.
Painting and/or staining your fence will help protect it from rotting, molding, warping, and even weather damage! It will significantly extend the life of your fence while also reducing the need for frequent deep cleaning as the years go on. Always use a high-quality paint or stain product meant for outdoor use.
FAQs
Should I stain my fence?
Yes! Using a stain, stealant, or protectant is a great way to promote longevity with wooden fencing and protect the surface from the elements—including mold and mildew.
How often should I clean my fence?
You should clean your fence at least once per year, staining every 2-3 years as needed.
Should I use a pressure washer?
While you can pressure wash your wooden fence, we do not recommend this. Too much pressure can cause your wood to chip and flake off. It’s much better to clean by hand, especially if you are not familiar with using a pressure washer.
Can I mix vinegar with bleach?
Absolutely not! This will create a toxic mixture.
What’s the difference between staining and sealing?
A stain layer adds color to your fence while a sealant forms a water-resistant barrier to moisture. You can always use a combination product if you don’t want to do both or pick between one or the other.
Vinyl Fencing
Vinyl fencing is great for many reasons. It’s very low maintenance, easy to clean, and is less likely to grow mold than wooden fencing. However, vinyl also stains easily and is vulnerable to damage in severe weather. You’ll want to clean your vinyl fencing on a frequent basis to avoid staining from dirt and debris that build up over time.
To clean a vinyl fence yourself, you will need a garden hose, fence cleaner, and soft plastic brush. Unlike wood, you won’t want to use a wire brush—as this will scratch the vinyl surface of the fence. For a cleaning solution, you can always head to your local hardware store and buy a commercial product designed specifically for vinyl fencing. You can also save some money and take a stab at creating your own cleaning solution. We recommend a combination of vinegar and dish soap diluted with water. You should avoid using bleach on your vinyl fencing, as chemicals like this are much too harsh.
1. Prep Your Fence
A good rinse should be enough to prep your vinyl fence for cleaning. Feel free to take a dry rag to knock loose any cobwebs, leaves, or other debris as well.
2. Apply Your Cleaning Solution
If using a commercial product, follow the instructions carefully.
If using a DIY solution, mix your vinegar and dish soap 1:1 in a bucket and dilute with warm water. Apply generously to the surface of your fence using a sponge.
3. Scrub—Using Some Elbow Grease!
Once your solution has soaked in accordingly, it’s time to scrub!
Using a soft bristle brush, scrub your fence all over from top to bottom. Reapply the cleaning solution as necessary for any tough spots, giving some extra TLC to those that really need some love.
4. Rinse
Once your fence is cleaned to your liking, rinse the entire surface down with your garden hose. Use additional pressure to fully rinse off all cleaning solution remnants.
Next, give your fence a final check to make sure it’s dirt-free. If needed, repeat Steps 2-4 as many times as it takes to get that fence looking sparkly clean.
FAQs
What’s better: DIY or store-bought cleaning solutions?
Both cleaning solutions work efficiently. While DIY options are more eco-friendly and less toxic, store-bought supplies are sometimes more effective at removing extra-challenging dirt and debris.
Can I use bleach to whiten my vinyl fence?
We don’t typically recommend using bleach on vinyl fencing because the chemicals are so harsh. However, you can occasionally apply bleach to a white fence for a brighter finish. Avoid doing this too often, however.
Should I use a pressure washer?
You can definitely use a pressure washer to clean your vinyl fence! If you aren’t familiar with using this machinery, please use caution.
Ultimately, your fence is one of the first things people see when they arrive at your home. You want to make a good impression, which is a tall task if your fence is covered with dirt, debris, and mold. Spend some extra time this season cleaning your fence to make your property look brand new!