How to Clean Mold From Wood Siding
It is not uncommon for mold to grow on wood siding. Weather elements such as rain, snow, humidity and heat create ideal breeding grounds on wood siding for mold to grow, diminishing the overall appearance of the home. Clean mold from wood siding yourself, without spending money hiring a professional. With the proper tools and products, your wood siding will look as good as new in no time. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Garden hose
- Ladder
- Oxygen bleach or vinegar
- Pump-style garden sprayer or small spray bottle
- Stiff scrub brush
Instructions
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Hose down the molded wood siding using your garden hose. You may need a ladder to reach higher points of the house, depending on how tall the building is and where the molded siding is located.
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2
Mix a solution of oxygen bleach and water. The oxygen bleach-to-water ratio will vary depending on the concentration of the bleach you are using. Refer to the product label for specific mixing instructions. The higher the concentration of sodium percarbonate--the active ingredient in oxygen bleach--the more effective it will be at cleaning the siding. Combine the oxygen bleach and water into a pump-style garden sprayer for larger projects. A spray bottle will suffice if the molded siding is lower to the ground and localized in a smaller area. For an alternative cleaning solution, mix three parts water with one part white vinegar.
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3
Spray the molded siding with the cleaning solution. Allow the cleaning agent to work into the wood siding for about 15 minutes.
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Scrub the siding gently with a stiff scrub brush. Start from the bottom of the building and work your way up when scrubbing. For molded wood siding located at higher points of the house, use a long-handled scrub brush and a ladder.
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Rinse the cleaning solution and mold from the wood siding promptly after scrubbing. Do not let the cleaning solution dry onto the wood siding. Begin at the uppermost point of the building when rinsing and work your way down. This will prevent the soiled water from staining the cleaned portions of the siding.
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Apply more cleaning solution, wait 15 minutes, scrub then rinse the siding if the mold is still present. It may take a couple of applications to successfully remove all of the mold from the wood siding.
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Tips & Warnings
Cover nearby plants and shrubbery with plastic to protect them from the cleaning solution.
Don't forget to close your windows prior to beginning this task.
Avoid using chlorine bleach on your wood siding. It can damage or discolor the wood.
