Before Getting Started
You don't want that powerful spray gettin' through to the other side and causin' any harm. Check it out first before you get started cleanin' your fence. Take a walk around to the other side and see what's what. You'll be glad you did, 'cause there might be kids playin' or dogs runnin' around that you didn't even know about. Better safe than sorry, you know? Make sure that fence is built solid enough to contain that spray.
Once you know the coast is clear, have at it! Get your fence lookin' like new with that pressure washer. But go slowly, keep the spray at an angle and at a safe distance so it doesn't start breakin' through. Safety first, clean fence second – that's the plan. Take your time and do it right. Your fence will be lookin' so good the neighbors will get jealous!
Clean With Detergent First
To really get your fence sparklin' clean, it's best to foam it up with some detergent or soap before you start pressure washin'. Especially if you've got mold, moss, bird droppings, or tough stains built up on there.
First, wet down your fence with the hose. Then, turn on the detergent tank on your pressure washer, choose the soap nozzle (black nozzle), and start applying that cleaner from the bottom up – that way you avoid those streaks. Let that bleach or detergent sit for 5 to 10 minutes so it has time to work its magic. And keep spraying any spots that start to dry out.
The really dirty areas might need some scrubbin' with a spinnin' scrub brush. Those brushes have soft bristles on the inside, but the pressure washer spins 'em around and makes 'em tough enough to take on the stuck-on messes.
Rinse Using a Pressure Washer
Once you've scrubbed and foamed your fence up real good, then you can start pressure washin' top to bottom. That detergent and scrubbing will have loosened everything up, so your fence will be fresh and clean in no time. The soap and water will just glide right off!
Start the pressure washer and wash from the same area where you started using the cleaner and work your way down. This will wash all the cleaners off the fence. Working with wood grain. Cover 1 to 2 fence panels at a time, working through identifiable sections.
Wood surfaces are fragile, so you don't want to apply too much pressure and cause damage or streaks. So you need to choose the right pressure to wash, wooden fences will be more vulnerable than vinyl fences.
Repeat the process of applying this cleaner and then rinsing each section of your fence. If you apply bleach to the entire fence before washing, it will be absorbed and dry on the surface, causing marks and streaks. Keep the bleach wet until it is rinsed to avoid this and have a clean barrier.
Put on Coat of Paint or Sealant
You have two options: paint the fence for a fresh new look, or apply a clear sealer to preserve the natural wood grain appearance.
Whichever you choose, be sure to apply it generously. Don't miss the spaces between boards. On privacy fences, the boards may be too close to applying sealer in between but run sealer into the grooves to protect as much wood as possible.
After the paint or sealer dries, your fence will look like new again! Pressure wash your fence annually to maintain its appearance.
How to Clean Vinyl or Metal Fences
There are many different types of fencing materials, but the basic steps for properly cleaning a fence are largely the same.
The key is to work in small, manageable sections. Apply the recommended cleaner for your specific fence material. Let the detergent soak for a few minutes to loosen any dirt and grime.
After soaking, thoroughly rinse the detergent from the fence. Use your pressure washer to spray each section clean. The pressure washer helps remove dirt that brushing cannot.
Rinse and clean one section at a time to ensure the detergent does not dry on the material before you can rinse it away. Dried detergent can be difficult to remove and can damage some fence surfaces over time.
