How to Clean a Wood Fence With Natural Cleaners

Wood fences need to be cleaned occasionally to remove dirt, stains and pollution. Is your wood fence stained and dull looking? Have you wondered if you can clean your wood fence with natural cleaners yourself?

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Electric power/pressure washer (rent at home improvement store or rental center)
• White vinegar

1. Follow the power/pressure washer manufacturer's instructions at all times. Set the washer to use a ratio of 1 cup of white vinegar to 1 gallon of water, or a 1:16 ratio of white vinegar to water.

2. Set the PPI (Pounds Per Inch) indicator on the pressure washer to one of the lowest settings. High pressure from a power/pressure washer will permanently damage your fence. Low to moderate pressure will effectively clean your fence without damaging it.

3. Wash your fence. Work on one or two boards at a time. Start at the bottom to prevent streaks and work your way up to the top. Use a sweeping motion and keep the water wand moving at all times.

4. Scrub stubborn stains using a stiff brush or a rotating brush attachment for the power/pressure washer.

5. Let the vinegar and water solution sit on the fence for 5 to 10 minutes. Respray the fence lightly to keep it wet, if necessary.

6. Adjust power/pressure washer to emit plain water. Rinse the fence from the top, down. Work on one or two boards at a time and rinse thoroughly. Use a sweeping motion and keep the wand moving at all times.

Tips & Warnings

• Before sealing your wood fence, allow it to dry for at least 48 hours.
• Always use low to moderate pressure from a power/pressure washer when washing your wood fence. High pressure can permanently scar and damage the surface of your fence. Always follow the manufacture's instructions when using any piece of power equipment.