HOW TO CLEAN A WOOD FENCE

Over time, a wood fence can become home to algae, mildew, and mold growth, and eventually start to rot. Cleaning a wooden fence with household bleach, as many people do, can cause damage and discoloration if done incorrectly. Chlorine bleach runoff can also harm surrounding plants, patios, and other surfaces, so it's not a recommended product.

Simple Green Oxy Solve Deck and Fence Cleaner cleans just as effectively without discoloration or the damage bleach runoff can cause to nearby plants and surfaces. It is ideal for both manual cleaning and pressure washing to lift and remove dirt and grime from fencing. The fast-acting foaming formula removes tough stains caused by mold and mildew, tree sap, pollen, scuff marks, oxidation, weathering, and more, using the power of peroxide for high-performance cleaning without abrasive chemicals.

Use the directions below to deep clean your wood fence at least once a year.

Directions for Cleaning a Wood Fence:

Pressure Washing Directions

If you prefer cleaning with a pressure washer, it's best to do it under cooler, non-windy conditions, when the surface you're cleaning is not in direct sunlight. This ensures the cleaner does not dry on your surface before rinsing, and the spray doesn't blow back in your face.

1. Wet. Use a 25-degree tip on your pressure washer to rinse a few boards of your fence at a low setting. Hold the pressure washer wand firmly with both hands, keeping the nozzle at least three feet from the surface. Start further out and work your way in as needed, as any closer and the high pressure could warp and indent the wood.
2. Prepare pressure washer. Drop the siphon tube into your bottle of Simple Green Oxy Solve Deck and Fence Cleaner or fill the onboard soap reservoir.
3. Apply Simple Green. Use the same tip to apply Simple Green Oxy Solve to the same rinsed boards. Apply the cleaner from bottom to top. Spray in long, even strokes and be sure to change the area you're spraying frequently.
4. Scrub stained areas. Use a scrub brush to remove mold and mildew stains, tree sap, oxidation, weathering, and other troublesome spots.
5. Let it sit. Allow the cleaner to dwell on the surface for 3-5 minutes to lift and dissolve dirt, stains, and grime. Do not allow the product to dry on the surface.
6. Flush pressure washer. Change to your 40-degree nozzle and flush out any remaining cleaner from the line.
7. Rinse. Rinse the boards with clean water at a low setting, moving from top to bottom.
8. Repeat until clean. Continue wetting, cleaning, and rinsing the fence in small sections until the entire fence is clean.

Manual Cleaning Directions

1. Prepare cleaning solution. Fill a bucket with 1.5 cups of Simple Green Oxy Solve and 2 gallons of water.
2. Apply Simple Green. Dip a scrub brush or sponge into your solution and scrub a few boards at a time.
3. Let it sit. Allow the cleaner to sit for 3-5 minutes without drying.
4. Rinse. Rinse with a garden hose at low pressure.
5. Repeat until clean. Move to a new section of boards and repeat.

TIP: If you've just finished cleaning, allow your fence to dry for at least 24 hours before sanding, staining, or painting it.

TIP: Staining, painting, or sealing your wood fence is just as important as cleaning it, as it will help prevent deterioration. An oil-based stain will color the wood and highlight its natural grain. Depending on the type of wood and your climate, you can plan on re-staining your fence roughly every three years. A sealer, on the other hand, forms a protective UV and moisture barrier. Keep in mind, sealants are made of wax, so they will wear away more quickly and typically need to be reapplied at least once a year.