Spring Fence Checklist: #2. Cleaning Your Fence

After winter, clean your fence thoroughly

A clean fence reveals hidden damage, improves the effectiveness of protective treatments, and looks dramatically better. Spring cleaning removes winter grime, mold, mildew, and accumulated debris. Think of it this way: you wouldn't apply a fresh coat of paint over a dusty wall, and the same principle applies to your fence. A thorough cleaning creates the foundation for everything else you'll do during your spring maintenance routine.

How Do I Clean a Wood Fence Without Damaging It?

Wood fences require gentle cleaning to avoid grain raising, splintering, or surface damage. The key is patience—aggressive scrubbing might seem like it's saving time, but it can actually create more problems than it solves.

Materials Needed:

• Garden hose with spray nozzle

• Soft-bristle brush or scrub brush (avoid wire brushes)

• Bucket

• Oxygen bleach cleaner or specialized fence/deck cleaner

• Pressure washer (optional, use with extreme caution)

• Safety glasses and gloves

Wood Fence Cleaning Process:

1. Remove debris: Clear leaves, dirt, spider webs, and vegetation from fence surfaces and the base. Use a shop vacuum for stubborn debris in crevices. Pay special attention to the bottom rails where debris tends to accumulate—this trapped moisture is often where rot begins.
   

2. Pre-rinse: Spray the fence with a garden hose to wet the surface and remove loose dirt.
   

3. Prepare cleaning solution:
   

• Mix oxygen bleach cleaner according to package directions (typically 1 cup per gallon of water)

• Alternative: Mix 1/4 cup dish soap with 1 gallon warm water for light cleaning

• Never use chlorine bleach—it damages wood fibres and kills nearby plants

4. Apply cleaner: Starting at the top and working down, apply cleaning solution with a brush or sprayer. Work in 4-6 foot sections. Working in sections prevents the cleaner from drying before you can rinse it, which can leave streaks or residue.
   

5. Scrub gently: Use a soft-bristle brush in the direction of the wood grain. Don't scrub aggressively—let the cleaner do the work. Focus on stained areas, mold spots, and mildew growth.
   

6. Let it sit: Allow the cleaner to work for 10-15 minutes. Don't let it dry on the surface. This waiting period is when the oxygen bleach breaks down organic stains and kills mold spores—skipping it means you'll be doing all the work instead of letting chemistry help.
   

7. Rinse thoroughly: Spray clean water from top to bottom until all cleaner residue is gone. Ensure no cleaning solution pools at the base where it might harm plants.
   

8. Dry completely: Allow 24-48 hours of dry weather for the fence to dry before applying any treatments or sealers. Check your weather forecast before starting—you don't want rain within 48 hours of cleaning.
   
   

Pressure Washer Caution:

Pressure washers clean effectively but can damage wood if used improperly. Many homeowners are tempted to blast away years of grime in minutes, but I've seen countless fences permanently damaged by overzealous pressure washing. If you're not confident with a pressure washer, stick with hand scrubbing—it takes longer but is far safer for your fence.

• Use the lowest pressure setting (1200-1500 PSI maximum for softwoods)

• Use a 25-40 degree fan tip, never a concentrated stream

• Keep the nozzle 12-18 inches from the surface

• Always spray in the direction of the wood grain

• Test on an inconspicuous area first

• Never hold the stream in one spot—keep moving

• Avoid pressure washing old, weathered, or rotting wood—it will splinter and shred

Should I Clean My Vinyl Fence the Same Way as Wood?

Vinyl fences are more forgiving and can handle more aggressive cleaning. That said, "more forgiving" doesn't mean indestructible—you can still scratch or damage vinyl with abrasive materials.

Vinyl Fence Cleaning:

1. Rinse: Spray with a garden hose to remove loose dirt and debris.
   
   

2. Prepare solution: Mix warm water with:
   
   

• Option 1: 1/3 cup laundry detergent + 2/3 cup household cleaner per gallon

• Option 2: Specialized vinyl fence cleaner

• Option 3: 1 cup white vinegar per gallon for mold and mildew

3. Apply and scrub: Use a soft brush or cloth to scrub the vinyl. Vinyl can handle more pressure than wood but still avoid abrasive scrubbers that might scratch. Magic erasers work wonderfully on stubborn scuff marks on vinyl fencing.
   
   

4. Address stubborn stains:
   
   

• Mold/mildew: Use a solution of 30% vinegar and 70% water, let sit 5 minutes, then scrub

• Rust stains: Apply a paste of baking soda and water, let sit 10 minutes, scrub, and rinse

• Oil/grease: Use dish soap or a degreaser

5. Rinse thoroughly: Remove all cleaning solution with clean water.
   
   

6. Pressure washing vinyl: Vinyl can handle up to 2000 PSI, but start with lower pressure and increase if needed. Use a 25-degree tip and maintain 12 inches distance.
   
   

How Do I Clean a Metal Fence to Prevent Rust?

Metal fences require rust prevention as the primary cleaning goal. Rust is the enemy of any metal fence—catch it early and you can stop it in its tracks, but ignore it and you'll be replacing fence sections within a few years.

Metal Fence Cleaning:

1. Remove loose rust: Use a wire brush to remove any loose rust, flaking paint, or corrosion. For chain-link, use a stiff brush. Don't worry about small surface rust spots—these are normal and treatable. It's the deep, flaking rust that signals serious problems.
   

2. Wash the fence: Use warm soapy water (dish soap works well) and a sponge or cloth to wash the entire surface.
   

3. Address rust spots:
   

• Light rust: Scrub with a wire brush and apply naval jelly or rust converter

• Moderate rust: Use sandpaper (80-120 grit) to remove rust down to bare metal

• Heavy rust: Consider professional sandblasting or replacement of severely corroded sections

4. Rinse and dry: Thoroughly rinse all soap and cleaning products, then dry completely with a cloth to prevent new rust formation. This drying step is crucial—leaving water on metal is essentially inviting rust to return.
   

5. Prepare for protection: Once clean and dry, metal fences should be treated with rust-inhibiting primer and paint (see article #5 in this series for more on that!).
   
   

Cleaning Special Fence Accessories or Features:

Don't forget the details—they're often what separates a good cleaning job from a great one:

• Decorative elements: Use cotton swabs or small brushes to clean intricate designs and hard-to-reach areas.

• Post caps: Remove caps if possible and clean separately. Check for water infiltration. Trapped water under post caps is a common source of wood rot—if you find moisture, make sure the cap has proper drainage holes.

• Gate hardware: Remove rust and grime from hinges, latches, and locks with wire brushes and penetrating oil. While you're at it, test your gate operation—cleaning is the perfect time to identify squeaky hinges or stiff latches that need attention.

Next Up

We hope this post in our Spring Fence Maintenance series has been valuable. Up next: what happens if your inspection and cleaning have yielded an area of concern with your fence? Checklist item #3 is all about making necessary repairs.