Wayne asked: How do I clean vinyl fencing? The vinyl fence has both grass stains and some black scuff marks where the lawn tractor has brushed against it. Using a power washer did not clear it off by itself or with soap. Any ideas on how to clean this would be appreciated.
Vinyl
fencing makes a beautiful addition to any home and requires much less maintenance than real wood. It can tolerate a variety of cleaning methods and products which is good news when you’re dealing with a mixture of stains. Though it may take some elbow grease, the fence will be looking new in no time.
General Cleaning and Light Stains
Use this method for seasonal cleaning of typical dirt and dust build up.
You Will Need:
- Garden hose with sprayer
- Dish soap
- Old cloths or towels
- Scrubbing pad (non abrasive)
- Bucket
- Water
Steps to Clean the Fence:
- Begin by hosing down the entire fence with a garden hose.
- Use the sprayer attachment to get some force behind the water.
- Clean from the bottom of the fence to the top, working in small sections.
- The hose will remove most of the dirt and grime, but there may be a few areas that are stubborn and require some scrubbing.
- To tackle these, fill a bucket with warm water and add some dish soap to it.
- Agitate the water to mix it well.
- Moisten the old cloth or towel with the water and begin wiping the fence. A non-abrasive scrubber can be used for stubborn areas.
- Once clean, rinse again with the hose.
Cleaning Tough Stains
Use this method for those tough grass, food, algae, mold and other organic stains that the dish soap won’t remove.
You Will Need:
- Bleach
- Old cloths or towels
- Scrubbing pad (non abrasive)
- Bucket
- Water
- Rubber gloves (optional)
Steps to Clean the Fence:
- Fill a bucket with 1 part bleach and 5 parts water. This mixture can be made weaker or stronger depending on the color of your fence (dark colors would use less bleach) and the amount of dirt. For example, if your fences are white and are covered with stains, use 1 part bleach to 3 parts water.
- Moisten the cloth or towel with the bleach/water mixture and scrub away the stains.
- Remoisten the cloth as needed. For darker fences, rinse the mixture off as soon as you’ve removed the stains.
- Again, for stubborn stains, a non-abrasive scrubber can be used.
Removing Grass Stains, Tar, Grease, etc.
You Will Need:
- Wood or plastic scraper
- Mineral spirits or automotive tar remover
- Soft cloths
- Rubber gloves
Steps to Clean the Fence:
- Begin by cleaning the fence using the general cleaning method described above.
- Protect your hands with rubber gloves.
- Moisten a soft cloth with either mineral spirits or tar remover.
- Gently rub the stained area. Do not apply too much pressure or it will leave a polished mark.
- Once the stain is removed, rinse thoroughly with water. This can be done with a bucket or the garden hose.
Additional Tips and Advice
- A quick cleaning product is the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. It is non-abrasive and will remove a variety of stains effortlessly from the surface of vinyl.
- If your vinyl fencing is colored, test a small, hidden area first before using the cleaning products to ensure they will not cause damage or discoloration.
- If none of the above cleaning methods will remove the stain, use xylene. Moisten a soft cloth with the liquid and scrub the surface vigorously. Rinse completely with water.
- Clean your fences regularly, at least once or twice a year to keep dirt and stains from becoming major and difficult to remove.
- Mold and mildew are a common problem on vinyl fencing. Use the second cleaning method with bleach to remove these stains.
- To prevent mold and mildew from returning, consider applying a mold prevention sealant, such as Mold Armor or Moldex. These products are available at most major supermarkets and hardware stores.
- If the above method (mineral spirits) does not work to remove red stains caused by iron in the water, try using Super Iron Out.
I have hard water stains on my vinyl fence. How can I remove them? I have spirea bushes close by; don’t want to loose them to chemical treatment. Thanks for your help.
I purchased a white vinyl full fence around my the backyard of my home a few years back. It was the worst decision I have made in a long time! The theory of it being less maintenance than a wooden fence is far from the truth. This fence is dirty a month after cleaning it with grass stains, mildew, and etc. Heavy rains make the bottom base constantly dirty from splash up. My neighbors hate it because at my age and physical liability, I can’t keep their side clean too so they have to bear seeing it all the time. The other residents in my neighborhood have had wooden fences and theirs still look better with less work.
The only way I have found to clean it is with Magic Eraser pads and then is a three weekend job, but after another five weeks, it is time to start again.
What a waste of six grand to have my life committed to maintaining this monster and I will not even begin to explain how strong winds affect it!
Save yourself the hassle and choose a different fence!
Just my two cents!
Sgt.
Use a power washer. It takes it right off.
Try plain baking soda on a damp rag. Spray the baking soda with hydrogen peroxide for stubborn stains. Very effective. Cheaper than a Magic Eraser. Bleach kills and browns out surrounding grass and plants.
Chlorine and/or bleach should never be used to clean PVC/vinyl. Chlorine chemically attacks the PVC, creating a maintenance spiral that increases the time between cleanings. Chlorine exposes/irritates the plasticizer, making the material sticky, which then makes the material get dirty even faster.
Two words. Pressure washer.
I washed my white vinyl fence with dish soap and a sponge. I used a scrub pad, which I though was non-abrasive, in areas where there were bird dripping stains. I noticed there were tiny scratches and the shine was dulled. Is there anything I could do to bring the shine back?
Check it out! We’ve answered your question! Yay!
Tom said not to use bleach on a vinyl fence. I’m wondering what he recommends. Thanks.
We have a vinyl fence that has shotgun spores all over. The spores come from a fungus in mulch. They explode and stick to anything they can. They are a small bump that does not wash or scrub off. Does anyone know if there is a product out there that works and is safe for vinyl?
How to get rid of black lawn mower tire marks on a white vinyl fence?
Marc,
This is the article you need: How to Remove Tire Marks from Vinyl Siding.
Will using just gasoline remove black tire marks from a white vinyl fence using a soft cloth?
I used tape on the top of my fence; what can I use to get it off? It was clear tape.
Sharyn,
If the fence is in the sun, wait until the heat of the day and direct sunlight warms the tape, then it should easily peel off. The residue can often be washed/scrubbed off with just some soapy water. If the fence is not in the sun or you need something stronger, you can wait until after a big rain – the water will loosen the adhesive. Another option is to use either isopropyl alcohol or mineral spirits; soak a cloth with the alcohol or spirits, then lay it over the tape to soak for 20 minutes. Alcohol or spirits can also be used for removing stubborn residue after the tape is off. If you want to scrape the residue or tape off, use a plastic scraper, not a metal one. Good luck!