subject: How To Clean Your Fence Correctly [print this page] Fences are not only a great way to improve the privacy and security of a home or other area, but can be a great decorative aspect for any residence. The fence is often the first thing people notice when visiting a house, and having a clean, well-maintained fence is a good way both to keep your home looking nice and safe.
Here, we'll go over a few easy ways to clean a variety of fences, as well as how to keep them from getting dirty as quickly in the future.
The four most common types of fences, and the types we're going to talk about here, are iron, wood, chain link, and vinyl. Iron fences are relatively easy to clean, because they do not get dirty very quickly or easily, but will need occasional care.
Iron fences can collect dirt and cobwebs, although these can be cleared away with a quick scrub with a bristle brush soaked in soapy water. This can be followed up with a dry towel, in order to keep the water and soap from damaging the fence.
Wooden fences are generally easier to get dirty, because of the larger surface area of the wooden panels. They can be spattered with dirt and mud, pick up cobwebs and even insect nests, and collect fibers. The easiest way to clean a wooden fence is by using a pressure washer, which will blast away everything from caked on mud to wasp nests.
Make sure the pressure is not set too high, or it may damage the paint or varnish on the fence. Pressure washers are also a great way to prepare a fence for repainting. If a pressure washer is not available, a bristle brush and water will likely do almost as good a job, but will take longer.
Chain link is very easy to clean with a good brush, and does not need to be dried afterwards. Pieces of trash may also get stuck in the fence if it is in an urban area, and anyone cleaning a chain link fence should have a receptacle into which they can place loose garbage that collects along the bottom.
Vinyl fencing is the easiest to clean and because it is generally used in rural areas it generally just gets a little dirt and dust. Simply take a damp cloth and run it along the panels of the fence, to pick up dirt.
