How to Clean Bird Droppings From Reclaimed Barnwoods

Reclaimed barnwood often has a rough texture.

Reclaimed wood is wood that was salvaged so that you can reuse it for your craft or construction projects. It is popular because it has a weathered and vintage look. Wood that was reclaimed from a barn might be covered in bird droppings. Remove these carefully without damaging the wood. Some types of reclaimed barn wood might be very sensitive to the cleaning process and could become damaged with tough abrasives.

Things You'll Need

• Gloves
• Dust mask
• Toothbrush
• Liquid dish soap
• Trisodium phosphate

Instructions

1. Put on gloves and a dust mask whenever handling bird droppings.

2. Dip an old toothbrush in clear water and scrub it over the bird droppings. Be careful to scrub with the grains of the wood. Use light brush strokes to slowly and carefully remove the bird droppings.

3. Mix 3 drops liquid dish soap with 1 cup hot water if the bird droppings are still visible. Mix until the water is soapy and bubble appear.

4. Dip an old toothbrush into the soapy water and scrub it over the bird droppings. Work until they are gone.

5. Mix 1 1/3 cup water with 1 tsp. trisodium phosphate if the bird droppings are still visible.

6. Dip the toothbrush unto the solution and scrub the bird droppings away. Be careful not to damage the wood.

7. Rinse the wood with water, but don't soak the wood. Let it air dry completely.

References

• The Seattle Times; Use Elbow Grease to Remove Bird Droppings From Deck; Mark Hetts; August 20, 1995
• House Painting Info: Trisodium Phosphate