Cleaning Wooden Fencing and Garden Panels

Wooden fencing and garden panels become grey and weathered over time, with green algae establishing on the surface in shaded or damp conditions. Professional cleaning restores the natural warm colour of the wood and removes the biological growth that, if left untreated, accelerates decay. Clean fencing looks dramatically better and lasts significantly longer than neglected fencing.

The key to cleaning wooden fencing is low pressure. High pressure raises the wood grain, splinters the surface, and can structurally weaken thin fence panels. A soft washing approach with an appropriate wood cleaner is the professional standard. The chemical cleaning agent does most of the work; the water is used at low pressure to rinse and remove the loosened growth.

After cleaning, wooden fencing should be allowed to dry thoroughly before applying any preservative, stain, or paint treatment. Clean, dry wood absorbs treatments much better than dirty or wet wood. Treating clean fencing also uses less product — the preservative goes into the wood rather than being wasted on surface dirt. The combination of cleaning and treating extends fence life significantly.