The cedar siding on this house has become stained. As cedar ages, the color changes. :-) Enjoy your project! Rinse with a garden hose keeping the water-stream pointed down. As a preventative maintenance measure, frequently inspect your siding, gutters and downspouts. Remember dont use chlorine bleach it will damage the wood fibers and shorten the life of your siding. Power washers are also known to push water under the siding, which can negatively impact the structures under the siding and lead to bigger problems later, such as rot and staining on the siding. What about sanding any of the moldy spots? First paint a lime chemical whitewash, then paint your desired color. I used Wolman to brighten and Ready Seal to finish. Peroxide wont stain surfaces and it degrades quickly over the course of a few hours. If there are traces of mold/mildew, a 1.5% bleach wash will do the trick. on cedar in my opinion. Some Borax will eventually settle to the bottom of the saucepan before I am done painting, but it is nothing compared to what sits at the bottom when I have used cold tap water. However, it will collect dirt, dust and grime just like any other type of siding and it needs to be cleaned periodically. The rule of thumb is to mix a quart of liquid laundry bleach to a gallon of water.

You can employ similar methods as you do with the bleach solution to treat the siding and get rid of the mold and associated stains. If you have a pressure washer that does not have a low setting, youll need to use a household cleaner and scrub the grime off by hand. However, there is such a thing as too much mold. You can start by using a soft brush (non-metal) to knock down the dirt and then rinse the surface with a garden hose.

Store purchased NaOH wood stripper or "sodium hydroxide" can work well. I have learned so much from all of you. Degradation of lignin weakens the surface fibers, and strong cleaning solutions and aggressive methods will remove excessive amounts of fiber from the surface. Cover every bit you can reach with your "paint." from the wood faster than the pH-neutral water. If you are concerned that cleaning your vinyl siding with chemicals is going to kill your landscaping, there are ways to prevent plant loss. Again, when cleaning wood, the gentler the better. Bleaching agents quickly kill mold and algae, but they also can degrade wood. Finally, use plain water to do a final rinse, making sure all the soap and debris is removed. There are three common bleach types: oxygen bleach, which contains hydrogen peroxide; bleaching powder, which is calcium hypochlorite and chlorine bleach, which is what you find in products used in the washer to clean clothing. Use a sponge or cloth to spread the solution over the siding. Question: I am using borax on wood in an RV. You want a very light stripper to clean and get rid of any remaining Ready Seal stain or cedar tannin. Question: Can I use borax for mold in a garage door? But remember, what you put on your siding will end up on the ground, so be sure the chemical youre using doesnt kill your landscaping. The cleaner the surface of your siding, the less likely it is for mold and mildew to take hold and become a problem. While it might take away the aesthetically pleasing natural wood look, it will protect the wood fibers from the constant abuse of weather. There are many ways to clean this type of siding, but the Vinyl Siding Institute advises using a soft cloth or soft-bristle (non-metal) brush. I was thinking about what you said about dissolving the Borax being a bit of a bear & I totally agree. Answer: Testing would be an excellent step! The authors of the study, Installation, Care, and Maintenance of Wood Shake and Shingle Siding, recommend using commercial cleaners containing sodium percarbonate or other oxygen bleaches because they are more gentle oxidizers than chlorine-containing bleaches such as household bleach. You can use a pressure washer or a soft-bristled brush attached to a long-handled wand and a container full of cleaning solution attached to a garden hose to apply the solution and knock down the grime. You can also use a non-toxic product, vinegar, to kill mold on vinyl siding. When it dries, it will look much more white. It did take some of the mold stain off, but I don't want to use anything so toxic. You can use a nylon bristle brush to remove the debris from the wood after it has been allowed to soak for around 15 minutes. Site Map | We recommended using commercial cleaners, but if you prefer to use liquid household bleach, start with a cleaning solution of about five parts warm water mixed with one part bleach) with a small amount of powdered detergent. This is another reason people with landscaping that comes into contact with the solution will use vinegar instead of bleach or detergents. The stains from tannic acid are formed when iron and moisture come into contact with tannic acid in the wood. Make sure the vinegar dries before going to the next step. Humid environments are excellent breeding grounds for mildew, which will take hold on your siding and will require a mildew-specific cleaner to remove. Plain Writing | Other useful implements include a safe cleaner (generally water mixed with a mild detergent), and a cloth or sponge to spread the solution and scrub out the affected areas. In some cases, use a paint stripper to remove the residual finish prior to cleaning. You should check with your vinyl siding manufacturer to make sure using a pressure washer is safe. Answer: Yes, you can. I've used acrylic paint on old growth WR cedar at my in-laws house down the Jersey Shore. Chlorine bleaches tend to cause excessive pulping of the wood to give a fuzzy surface. When using a cleaner, you might mix the solution weaker than the recommended strength and try it on a small area. VIS Exterior can help you with roofing, siding, windows and gutters replacement and installation. They cannot break down the structural components of wood. The non-scrubbing method is best applied to siding that has not accumulated a multitude of grime that is difficult to remove without scrubbing. Contact us and schedule an appointment. If your cedar siding has an oil-based stain on it, it has been found that this oil will help to feed the mold, which exacerbates the problem. Most homeowners can get by with cleaning their vinyl siding once a year. Then vacuum the same area, preferably with a HEPA vacuum cleaner. My husband tried something from a big box store which he sprayed on and scrubbed. Answer: If those planks are moldy, the hyphae (roots) of the mold organisms are probably deep inside and waiting. Our Performance | Beth, I've been painting homes since around '90. It is recommended to clean your LP SmartSide siding annually. An alternative to oxygen bleach is trisodium phosphate, which should be mixed at a ratio of a half-cup of phosphate to every gallon of water. Be sure to use the highly acidic white vinegar and mix it with water at a ratio of 70 percent water to 30 percent vinegar. Some good basic information can be found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tannin, "Adding baking soda to the water to raise its pH level will accelerate the process of leaching, as the more alkaline solution can draw out tannic acid from the wood faster than the pH-neutral water.". HOWEVER - I found two problems with that. Maren Elizabeth Morgan (author) from Pennsylvania on June 30, 2020: JennyBlythe, I used dolomitic lime because that is that I could find in the big box store near me. However, some commercial cleaners contain strong alkali (sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide). Fortunately, there are ways to clean your siding without scrubbing. And if you mix the TSP to bleach ratio just right - it's a one step cleaning process that both cleans and lightens. Should you spot a problem that goes beyond your DIY expertise, call a professional to have the situation evaluated. One of the go-to cleaners for getting rid of mold is a bleach and water solution. "Woods with a lot of yellow, red or brown coloration to them (like southern yellow pine, cedar, redwood, red oak, etc.) They just live there. the stain. I would not expect to have them bare, raw, and natural again for a safe living space. Replacing the Siding). I hope this helps those beleaguered with weather- and disaster-related wetness. It is not toxic to you, the homeowner, and it is effective in killing mold. Please comment to let me know how it goes for you. Question: I have a large area, about 1500 sf of subfloor I need to treat. The lime seals in any mold hyphae (roots) and prevents it from regrowing. A popular method of cleaning it is to use a five-gallon bucket filled with water and mix in some granular oxygen bleach. She explains methods simply to homeowners who are not in the construction trades. You can also mix in the aforementioned cleaners to assist in removing the grime, then finishing with a water-only rinse. You dont want to apply bleach directly to the siding without mixing it with water because it can damage your siding. I have never not seen a good TSP/Bleach mix not clean the wood and lighten up the wood. Oxalic and other acids reduce the iron compounds, therefore suppressing the formation of tannin staining. With a garden hose attached to the receptacle holding the mixture, set it to a light spray setting and mist the solution over your siding. The James Hardies website recommends cleaning off dirt and chalk with water and a soft cloth or soft bristle brush. Interesting information to have on hand in case of need. Scrubbing 2,800 square feet of the surface area is not appealing to most homeowners. Good luck to you -- please consider getting and using a dehumidifier for the rest of your days to reduce the moisture/humidity that molds love. The purpose of NaOH (sodium hydroxide) is to emulsify the built up surface tannin.

If excessive amounts of fiber are removed during cleaning, the surface will not accept these finishes as well as the porous weathered surface. James Hardie vs. LP SmartSide: Which Is The Best Siding For Your House? Answer: Yes, as long as you are not impeding moving parts. The James Hardie website recommends using a soft cloth or sponge, a garden hose and one of the three cleaners mentioned. If youre nervous about the bleach damaging your siding, do a test scrub on a small area, let it dry and inspect the area. After youve pressure washed the house, it is recommended to hose the siding down for a good rinsing. Identify the moldy area and brush or sweep away loose debris. TSP is trisodium phosphate, which is white, granular or crystalline solid an inorganic compound that dissolves in water to produce an alkaline solution. Hit the cedar with a "soaking" dose of Ready Seal stain and go relax. I agree with Rick, even if he's grumpy today. Spray or mop on, and allow the cedar to dry for a few days.

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment. I am wondering if I should change my cleaner this time. For example, if you have gaps in your gutters, water can leak through to your siding, creating a great environment for mold, mildew and staining. One may speculate that a sodium hydroxide wood stripper would accelerate the process. You will allow it to totally dry and then paint your whitewash over it. Furthermore, you can prolong the life of your siding by making sure your gutters and downspouts are functioning correctly, because introducing regular and prolonged moisture to the material can be detrimental. It worked very well. The photo below shows a person cleaning a deck with oxygen bleach and a gentle brush. An annual washing will remove dirt and grime thats built up over the 12 months and give your wood siding a cleaner, more eye-pleasing appeal. If your power washer can be set to a psi below 1,500, it is safe to use as long as you attach a wide fan tip and keep the nozzle a minimum of six feet from the surface of the siding. These same techniques can be used to clean shingles and siding. But if you have particularly wet and humid summers, you could see a buildup of mold and mildew much faster, which means you need to address the problem the moment you notice it. In this situation, it may be necessary to use more aggressive cleaning methods, such as the cleaners containing strong alkali. And if you mix the TSP to bleach ratio just right - it's a one step cleaning process that both cleans and lightens. I have never not seen a good TSP/Bleach mix not clean the wood and lighten up the wood. Do exactly what you did last time except don't bother brightening - save yourself some hassle. At VIS Exterior, we are expert installation, maintenance and repair professionals with years of experience working with vinyl, cedar, LP SmartSide and James Hardie fiber cement siding. As far as I know, most woodies on this board do not paint exterior wood. However, you can also buy an attachment with a chemical cleaner that is hooked up to the garden hose and used to distribute the solution on the siding. Its recommended that you use rubber gloves when working with bleach, and make sure your arms are covered and that youre wearing eye protection. Despite its eco-friendly nature, oxygen bleach will remove algae, mildew and mold from cedar.

It looks rather clear, more like cloudy water than an opaque white. Working from the bottom to the top, use a pump sprayer and wet the siding down. Bleach is an excellent product to use to remove mold, mildew and algae, as it essentially kills these growths and effectively erases any staining left as a result. It has been 9 years since you last stained the cedar? Water, the stuff out of the tap or well, has a fair amount of iron in it. The powerful ingredient is sodium hypochlorite, which is a toxic substance and is not good for your cedar siding, as it can damage the wood fibers. Accessibility Statement | Some basic painting prep, and it lasts a long time on vertical wood. Some areas of your siding might be more affected by dirt, mold and mildew, which means the stains will be more difficult to remove. Using a pressure washer is an efficient way to clean this type of material, but using long-handled, bristled brush is also an option. Must be the rain. Cedar siding is known for being durable and long-lasting, but it is prone to dirt and dust buildup, which needs to be cleaned off periodically.

Then wait to dry and stain.

Allow the surface to dry for several days before refinishing.

NaOH in diluted mix works well. If otherwise, ignore the bleach. Follow the instructions on your mildew cleaner, and make sure to rinse the cleaner off the siding. That is where an acid wash comes into play. LP SmartSide siding has grown in popularity over the years, because customers are finding it to be easier to install, which reduces labor costs, its more impact resistant than other siding materials and it has that desirable wood grain texture. Fiber cement siding is known for its durability and impact resistance, but it doesnt stand up to high powered pressure washers, which can mar the surface of the siding. Be safe, not sorry. Bleach removes tannins as well. From what I can understand, the cause of uneven, "blotched" semi-trans stain finishes on tannin rich woods such as cedars and redwoods is a bit more technical. I really appreciate you posting this for we poor people not just this mold cure, but also all the wonderful fantabulous tabs for home improvement & the like. If you have a lot of dirt and grime on your siding, youll need to switch out your cloth and continually rinse out your sponge or brush so it is free of debris. As well.as well, does a good, job at stripping the remainder of old finishes. When working on mold above your head, wear a respirator, goggles and a covering for your hair. Finnish hardwoods, like birch and aspen, do not contain tannins. The next step is to suppress the tannin. The whitewash painting step seals them in, so they cannot do any more growing and "spewing." Use a garden hose to rinse the area and repeat as necessary. The recipe given is one cup of Borax dissolved in one gallon of water. The vinegar is effective in killing mold and mildew, and it is also helpful in removing stains. It has to be removed prior to staining. Maren Elizabeth Morgan (author) from Pennsylvania on April 02, 2019: Yes. If the dilute cleaning solutions described above are not effective, it is probably because the mildew is inter-grown with residual finish on the surface. Its an excellent stain remover and degreaser that will help your laundry detergent and water mixture cut through the toughest grime. It is considered a laundry product, so go to the clothes washing aisle of your stores. Good cedars/redwoods still have a fair amount of tannin just below the surface substrate. Will painting the borax on wood keep mold from growing again? siding shingle gable shake shingles When using a garden hose, it is recommended to use a solution of water and cleaner, which is often a mild detergent, and scrub the siding with a sponge, cloth or a soft-bristled brush. Oxalic acid generally brightens the wood surface, but is not very effective for removing algae or mold, nor will it keep iron stain from reoccurring if the source of the iron is not removed. Go back over affected areas with your cloth, brush or sponge and rinse again. I do not see any value to sanding. Since you are a scientist - it is nice to know that you find this information vaild. I was always under the impression the stains formed when tannic acids of cedars, redwoods, & Fir come into contact with iron oxides is extremely localized around the fasteners - you are talking about staining that is more generalized. Technically, bleach is a disinfectant, not a cleaner. So I should paint with the Borax-water concoction and then give it a lime wash before painting? As a final step, use the garden hose (water only) to rinse off any remaining solution and debris. This will prolong the life of the siding and give your home more curb appeal. Woods with a lot of yellow, red or brown coloration to them (like southern yellow pine, cedar, redwood, red oak, etc.) The heat of friction will drive those tannins back up to the surface, negating the work you started. The object is to remove the fungi without excessive wood damage. volume per gallon. You will need to lower the pressure on the machine so the water wont damage the vinyl or get behind it (which can lead to mold, mildew and eventually damage the structures behind the siding). If youre using a soft-bristled brush, be sure not to scrub too hard, as this can damage the siding. If youre using a pressure washer, be sure yours has a low setting, because too much pressure can chip the paint and possibly damage the wood fibers. In some cases, all thats required to remove dirt and grime from your fiber cement siding is water and a cloth, brush or sponge. Vinyl siding has grown in popularity over the years because it is less expensive than other siding materials, it is fairly easy to maintain and it comes in a variety of shapes, styles and colors. Inspecting your gutters and downspouts should be an ongoing task, which ensures longer life and better appearance of your cedar siding. Buy a face mask and borrow or buy goggles. Oxygen bleach is a good chemical to use on this as well. Once it is paint on you just leave it there? Another perk to using oxygen bleach is that it is not toxic like chlorine bleach is. Unfortunately, cedar can become the victim of mildew and mold. Applying cleaner to the siding is either done through adding the cleaner of your choice to the pressure washer reservoir or through a garden hose attachment if youre going that route. Non-Discrimination Statement | Do not use detergent that contains ammonia. Rick - I've been working on western red cedar for over a decade longer than you have. Maren Elizabeth Morgan (author) from Pennsylvania on November 12, 2019: Jill, I am guessing that the cabinet is wooden. When mixed with water and applied to cedar siding, it can knock down the mold, algae and/or mildew and restore your siding to its original beauty. As well.as well, does a good job at stripping the remainder of old finishes. Oxalic acid will neutralize the iron stains and will also remove extractive stains. Dependent on quality and age of the cut, cedar and also redwood tend to bleed tannin. Under normal circumstances, Ready Seal doesn't need to be stripped, but since its 9 yrs old, its mostly faded any way and more than enough time for mildew to get in (and under?) Vinegar is fairly inexpensive and is an environmentally safe and extremely effective in cleaning your vinyl siding. Always make sure youre at a minimum of six feet away from the siding when using a pressure washer, and make sure its set at no higher than 1,500 psi. HubPages is a registered trademark of The Arena Platform, Inc. Other product and company names shown may be trademarks of their respective owners. This blue-black stain can be neutralized with a 5% solution of oxalic acid (usually available at drugstores). Purchase some oxalic acid at your local paint store and mix at ~ 6 oz. If you have landscaping that will be damaged by chlorine bleach, use oxygen bleach, mixing one cup in one gallon of water, as this will be safer for your plants. Therefore, mix cleaners as dilutely as possible. For removing oil and grease and other contaminants that require more than water alone, choose a mild detergent, such as dishwashing soap that does not contain bleach, and works it into affected areas with a garden hose attachment. Other than these localized tannic/iron oxide stains, my impression is just the general increase in tannins caused by using caustic cleaners over the entire surface. It will look rather clear, more like cloudy water than an opaque white. We have been using Ready Seal for a full decade now.