Vinyl fences are becoming more and more popular for homeowners due to their curb appeal, durability, and few maintenance requirements. If you have a vinyl fence, you may be wondering how to keep it looking like new for as long as possible! Although a vinyl fence doesn’t require much maintenance, giving it a good clean a couple of times a year goes a long way to keeping it sparkling. Lawn care (especially trim work), weather, dirt, debris and more can start to leave their marks on a vinyl fence over time.
So, how can you keep your vinyl fence clean?
Gather Supplies
First you will want to gather a few necessary items. These include:
-Garden hose with a nozzle
-Bucket with some water
-Dish soap or vinyl fence cleaning solution
-Soft scrub brush
-Optional magic eraser for extra tough spots
Rinse Your Vinyl Fence
After you are armed with all of your supplies, rinse your fence with water. Having excess dirt and grime on your fence when you apply soap will prevent the soap from permeating as well as it should. By getting all the excess dirt off of your fence, you will be ready for the cleaning power of the next step. Make sure that you rinse the entire fence well: posts, panels, and crevices where dirt can build up.
Mix and Apply Your Soap Solution
Fill your bucket with water and a small amount of dish soap (or your vinyl cleaning solution). Be sure your solution is mixed up well. Using your soft scrub brush dipped in soapy water, begin scrubbing your vinyl fence. Work in smaller sections and be careful not to apply so much pressure that you scratch your vinyl. If you come across sections that are extra stubborn, you can try using a magic eraser to remove the stains. Remember to clean both sides of your fence!
Mold and Mildew Solution
If you find you are dealing with mold or mildew, you can try using a mixture of water and vinegar. Mix white vinegar with equal parts water and let the solution sit on your fence for several minutes before scrubbing/rinsing clean. Repeat if necessary or increase the sit time as needed.
Rinse Again
After you have scrubbed your fence clean to your liking, rinse the whole thing again. This ensures that you don’t have any soap or residue remaining.
You may find that you need to clean your vinyl fence more often depending on how difficult it is to clean. The more often you clean it, the easier it will be to get clean. Even though cleaning your vinyl requires some work and time, it will be worth your effort during the life of your fence!
If you find that you still have dirt and grime that can’t be removed with soap, magic eraser, or vinegar solution, you can try pressure washing. Be very careful if you choose to take this route, as too much pressure on your vinyl can damage it. Use a low pressure setting and test in an inconspicuous area.
If you are hoping to have your vinyl fence cleaned but do not wish to do it yourself, give our team a call! We would be more than happy to do the work for you!
