How to Bleach a Cedar Fence
Cedar is a fragrant, durable, rot-resistant wood that is red-orange in color. The term cedar usually refers to woods that are derived from the red cedar, Spanish cedar, Juniper and Eastern Cedar. Cedar wood is not immune to weathering, despite its durability. A cedar fence left untreated and exposed to excessive sunlight or other weather elements can eventually lose its red luster. You can use an oxygen-based bleach wood cleaner to restore a cedar wood fence to its natural beauty. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Oxygen bleach wood cleaner
- Warm water
- Large bucket
- Pump Sprayer
- Scrub brush
- Garden hose
Instructions
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1
Wait for a cloudy day to bleach the cedar fence. Excessive sunlight can damage and discolor the cedar wood fence if it is saturated with oxygen bleach. Weather does not need to be taken into consideration if the cedar fence is located in full shade.
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2
Mix the oxygen bleach product as recommended by the manufacturer. You can mix most oxygen bleach wood cleaners in a large bucket; 8 fluid ounces of oxygen cleaner to one gallon of warm water.
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Pour some of the oxygen bleach solution into a pump sprayer. A pump sprayer is preferred over a power washer because a power washer that is too strong can cause the wood to splinter. Pump sprayers come in varying sizes which you can purchase online and in most garden centers.
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Spray the cedar fence with the oxygen bleach solution. Use a heavy amount of product on the fence, and allow it to soak into the cedar wood for about 20 minutes.
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Use a scrub brush to work the oxygen bleach solution into the wood; removing dirt and mold that may be adhering to the fence as you go along. You will notice while you are scrubbing that the cedar wood will begin to lighten and return to a more natural state.
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Rinse the oxygen bleach off the cedar fence when you are done scrubbing. An ordinary garden hose will work well to remove the oxygen bleach solution. Make sure the cedar fence is rinsed thoroughly.
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Tips & Warnings
To clean tannin (wood excretions) stains, you must use a chemical cleaner known as oxalic acid. Bleaching products will not work to remove these stains. Oxalic acid is toxic, so use it with caution.
Do not use chlorine-based bleaches on cedar wood. Chlorine bleach can cause an uneven whitening of the cedar. The salt in the chlorine bleach can also leave residues which can cause the cedar to turn an unnatural grey color.
