How to clean stained cedar siding.
Clean cedar siding with bleach.
Cedar siding can add an attractive rustic charm to your home but in some instances your siding may require a thorough cleaning with powerful solutions.
In the past chlorine bleach was often recommended to remove dirt stains and mildew from siding but chlorine bleach is a toxic compound harmful to plants and the environment.
It wasn t so long ago that trisodium phosphate tsp was a go to choice for tough cleaning jobs especially on exteriors.
In the past he had used oil based wood stain products but found the mold and mildew returning within a few years each time.
About oxiclean oxiclean contains hydrogen peroxide surfactants and other ingredients that give it powerful cleaning action.
I d try the bleach solution on a test piece or in an inconspicuous area to be sure it works all right.
Both chlorine and oxygen bleach have great anti microbial qualities that allows them to clean and disinfect the surfaces they are applied to.
Make any necessary repairs then clean the cedar with warm water and phosphate free soap.
Unfortunately even in small amounts chlorine bleach eats away at the material it is applied to and in the case of your cedar siding it can weaken your wood s fibers.
The black coloring or darkening of the cedar siding is caused by mold growth.
Use on old cedar to remove the outer dead gray layer of wood pulp plus stains from mold and mildew then reveal new clean looking cedar.
Staining the restored cedar siding.
Oxygen bleach is non damaging.
Use as the ultimate specialty surface prep before sealing staining or painting cedar.
Now the cleaned and brightened cedar wood siding is ready to stain.
Use wash safe cedar wash to clean old cedar shake roofs cedar shingle siding cedar fencing or any other cedar used outdoors.
Cedar siding after mold removal cleaning and brightening.
As long as there is no finish on the cedar there shouldn t be if your test pieces lighten up i d put drop cloths down and just sponge the bleach onto the paneling it ll work a little faster if you warm the solution.
Your standard household whitener it appears to make mildew vanish but on porous surfaces such as wood or vinyl siding chlorine evaporates too quickly to get to the fungi s roots guaranteeing regrowth.
How to clean cedar siding with bleach.
Oil stains that are.
If necessary a stiff bristle non metallic brush can be used.
Diluted in water and applied often with a stiff scrub brush it can.