How to Clean Log Cabins

There is nothing like a log cabin to invite a sense of peacefulness and tranquility. Whether your log cabin is a quaint weekend getaway or year-round residence, the look and feel of natural logs are warm and inviting. It is essential you clean the log cabin properly, especially if you plan to stain the logs. Special care should be taken with older log cabins to make sure the primitive logs are not damaged with excess water or harsh detergents.

Things You'll Need

• Caulk
• Caulk gun
• Spray foam insulation
• 4' x 8' plywood sheet
• Wasp and hornet killer
• Pressure washer
• Scrub brush
• Household bleach
• Cleaning bucket
• Heavy grit sandpaper
• Straw broom
• Mild detergent
• Stepladder
• Oscillating fan
• Dust mop or Swiffer sweeper
• Cloth mop
• Sponge

Instructions

Exterior

1. Inspect the interior of the log home for holes or gaps where water may leak in. Pay special attention to the corners of the home, windows and fireplaces. Caulk around windows and fireplaces on the interior of the cabin with a caulk gun and waterproof caulk. Seal openings between logs and around door jams with an insulating foam spray before continuing. Board up windows with plywood if they do not contain glass. Shut all exterior doors.

2. Look under roof awnings and inside the chimney for wasp and hornet nests. Spray the wasp and hornet nests with a wasp and hornet killer if these are present. Wait at least 24 hours after spraying to make sure there is no activity before pressure washing the cabin.

3. Pressure wash the exterior of the cabin. Use spray pressure of 1500 pounds per square inch. Stand five to eight feet from the cabin and direct the spray beginning at the top and sweeping side to side. Have someone inside the cabin while you are doing this to alert you if water begins streaming inside the cabin.

4. Scrub any mold and mildew with a scrub brush. Use a solution of 1/4-cup household bleach to one gallon of hot water. Scrub in the direction of the logs only. Do not scrub mortar areas with the scrub brush. Sand mold and mildew on cabin mortar very lightly using heavy grit sandpaper.

Interior

1. Knock down any cobwebs inside the cabin with a straw broom. Run the broom over the logs beginning at the ceiling and working toward the floor.

2. Scrub any obvious mold or mildew stains with a solution of one part bleach to four parts warm water. Work along the grain of the logs with a scrub brush. Wipe the bleach solution away with a clean sponge that is slightly damp.

3. Prepare a mixture of mild detergent and warm water in a gallon bucket. Use a stepladder or stool to reach the top log. Dampen the sponge in the bucket of cleaning solution and wipe the logs off, going in the direction of the logs.

4. Rinse the logs by hand using warm, clear water. Wet the sponge but do not allow water to drip. Place oscillating fans in the area to speed the drying process. Use one 24-inch oscillating fan for every 200 square feet of living space.

5. Sweep the floor. Use a straw broom if the floors are unfinished. Use a dust mop or Swiffer sweeper if the flooring is finished. Mop with a damp cloth mop using water and mild detergent. Open doors and windows to air out the floor and speed the drying process.

Tips & Warnings

• A bright, sunny day should be chosen for power-washing your log cabin.

References

• Log Home Care
• Northwest Log Home Care
• Log Cabin Living