It is common for algae to take over fences in winter due to the cold and damp weather, but this slimy substance can easily become a problem on wooden fences if not taken care of.
Many gardeners prefer a rustic wooden fence as it easily blends in with the natural landscape and can give people a higher level of privacy than metal fencing.
However, one downside to wooden fences is algae growth over time, which if left untreated will deteriorate the wood and can lead to wooden fences decaying or rotting.
Many gardeners can turn to expensive products to get rid of algae which can contain chemicals which can destroy nearby plants, or even worse can paint over the algae in an attempt to get rid of it, but there is a much more effective solution.
Michael, a cleaning expert from the patio cleaning service Advantage, has explained the cheap and natural way to keep algae away is by using a homemade solution made with vinegar and baking soda.
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Michael explained: “Vinegar and baking soda are a natural answer to the question of how to clean a wooden fence without pressure washing.
“Vinegar is a mild acid, so it’s good for removing mildew and mould, and baking soda is abrasive, so it helps to scrub off dirt.
It is recommended to mix white vinegar, baking soda and hot water in a container and use the mixture on the wooden fence using a paintbrush or spray the mixture on with an empty spray bottle.
Leave it for a while and it should get rid of the green algae stains. Scrub the fence using a scrubbing brush or a coarse-bristled outdoor broom and then hose it down to ensure the algae is completely gone from the wood.
Michael also recommends sanding down a wooden fence if it is badly affected by the algae.
He said: “If it’s been a while since you’ve done any cleaning and maintenance on your fence, there might be a fair amount of dirt built up, but if your fence is still in good shape, there may be an alternative to scrubbing.
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“That’s because most of the dirt will be on the surface of the wood. Which means you could consider sanding the fence instead of scrubbing the dirt off.”
You will need an orbital sander for this job and Michael said the fence “will look as new” once completed.
However, fences can only be sanded down twice at most or it will wear down the wooden boards so should only be considered if the algae is partially bad.
The easiest way to get rid of algae is to take precautions now to protect your fence in the future, and Michael highly recommends painting it with weatherproof outdoor stain paint once it is algae-free.
Michael explained: “Once you have finished cleaning your fence completely, and it’s had a couple of days to dry completely, use a good quality exterior deck and fence paint or stain to cover the whole fence.
“You might need to apply more than one coat as the paint or stain soaks into the wood. However, once this is done, next year, you won’t have to scrub again, and you can simply hose and touch up the stain.”
