Tools and Materials
Materials
- Dish Soap
- Bleach
Specialized cleaning agent
- Mold Protectant
- UV Protectant
- White Vinegar
- Baking Soda
- Mineral Spirits
Product costs, availability and item numbers may vary online or by market.
Why Should I Clean My Vinyl Fence?
Vinyl fences are long-lasting and low maintenance, but they do get dirty. Cleaning your fence regularly isn't just about making it look nice. It also makes it last longer by preventing buildup of mold and mildew. By cleaning and maintaining your vinyl fence regularly, you can ensure it lasts at least a couple of decades. Here’s how to clean a vinyl fence.
Hose It Down
The best way to clean a vinyl fence is to regularly spray it down with a garden hose. This gets rid of dirt, grass clippings and bird droppings and keeps it looking its best. Read on to find out more about cleaning and how to keep your investment looking great all year long.
Use a Mild Cleaning Solution
Make a simple cleaner for a vinyl fence with non-abrasive liquid dish soap and warm water. Dip a soft sponge or microfiber cloth into the solution and wipe down the fence to remove dirt and debris. Dish soap is mild and cleans dirt from the fence without removing its sheen.
Removing Stubborn Stains
Some stains are more difficult to remove and require more than soap and water. If none of the previous steps have worked, you may need to tackle individual stains with specific products.
Mold and Mildew
Shady and humid areas are prone to developing mold and mildew. Sections of vinyl fencing that aren’t in the sun are a breeding ground for moisture buildup. Vinyl fence cleaning to remove mold and mildew requires a little extra help.
Step 1: Make a Solution
Mix a solution of 8 parts warm water and 1 part vinegar in a bucket.
Step 2: Apply the Solution
Apply the solution to the fence with a soft-bristled brush, sponge or a microfiber cloth and let it sit for ten minutes. Gently scrub the mold and mildew area until it has disappeared.
Step 3: Rinse
Use a garden hose to rinse thoroughly.
If a thick layer of mold has formed on the fence or you find it difficult to remove the mold, you’ll need to either use a water and bleach solution or a commercial cleaner.
Clean it With Bleach
Bleach is a strong chemical and it’s not something you want to use full-strength. If undiluted or used in too high a concentration, it can damage vinyl.
Step 1: Make the Solution
Mix 1 part bleach to 5 parts water in a bucket.
Step 2: Apply the Solution
Use a soft-bristled brush or a sponge on the stain. Gently work on small sections at a time. Make sure to wear gloves when handling bleach and always work in outward motions to keep the bleach away from your face.
Step 3: Rinse Well
Use a garden hose to thoroughly rinse the fence and ensure all the water and bleach solution is removed from the fence.
To avoid injury, always wear gloves and eye protection when working with bleach. Use in a well-ventilated area. As you learn how to clean a white vinyl fence, know your limitations with bleach. Only use diluted bleach if your vinyl fence is white. Avoid bleach on colored vinyl fences.
Rust
Vinyl fences don’t rust but they can take on rust-colored stains caused by the runoff from nearby metal pipes, hinges or tools. Rust stains can only be removed with a commercial rust remover. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for usage.
Whenever you use any chemical product on your vinyl fence, always follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully.
Paint Splatters
Paint spills and splatters can be a headache to deal with, but they’re not impossible to remove. Fresh paint isn’t much of a problem and dry paint is manageable as well.
Removing Fresh Paint
To remove fresh paint from your vinyl fence, immediately wipe it off with a soft cloth dipped in warm, soapy water.
Removing Dried Paint
Removing dried paint from vinly a little more effort than removing fresh paint.
Step 1: Scrape the Paint
If the paint has already dried, try gently scraping it off with a putty knife or plastic scraper.
Step 2: Soften the Paint
If it doesn’t come off easily, apply rubbing alcohol or white vinegar to soften the paint. After 10 minutes, try scraping it off again.
Step 3: Clean and Rinse
Clean the area with warm, soapy water and rinse with a garden hose to remove any remaining residue.
Tar and Grease
For light tar or grease, try cleaning with a mild dish soap solution first.
Step 1: Make a Solution
Mix a few drops of dish soap in a bucket of warm water.
Step 2: Clean the Area
Dip a soft-bristled scrub brush into the solution and gently scrub the affected area.
Step 3: Rinse
Rinse thoroughly with clean water from your hose.
If cleaning with soap and water doesn't work, you'll need a stronger solvent. Choose either mineral spirits or a commercial tar remover.
Never use harsh chemicals like acetone, paint thinner, or lacquer thinner on vinyl fencing. These can damage the surface.
Use a Pressure Washer
Using a pressure washer is a popular choice for cleaning a vinyl fence because it saves on time and labor. Pressure washer cleaning power is measured in PSI, or pounds per square inch, which is the amount of force the stream of water exerts as it cleans a surface. The lower the PSI, the gentler the cleaning power, while a higher PSI means more power.
When cleaning a vinyl fence with a pressure washer, it’s recommended that you start with a lower PSI of around 2,000 and gradually increase as necessary up to around 2,800 if needed. Always maintain a safe distance of at least three feet from the fence when using a pressure washer.
For more on choosing the best pressure washer and in-depth details on pressure washing fences, our guides can give you helpful information.
These are general use guidelines. To prevent injury, always wear eye protection, hearing protection and work boots when using a pressure washer and always follow the pressure washer manufacturer’s instructions when using it.
Maintaining Your Fence
If you want to keep your vinyl fence looking great and maximize its longevity, you need to keep it well-maintained. Addressing potential issues early on will help you avoid headaches further down the road.
- Regularly cleaning the fence will keep it free of dirt and stains.
- In humid areas, mold and mildew are a common concern. After cleaning the fence, use a water repellent mold protectant to prevent the growth of mold and mildew.
- Check the stability of each fence post. If any are unstable, adjust the soil or gravel at the base and backfill to firm it up.
- UV rays from prolonged sun exposure can cause fading and wear. Use a UV protectant to guard your fence.
- Avoid stacking tools, chairs, etc. against the fence.
- Regularly inspect your fence for signs of damage. Look for cracks, breaks and warping. Fill small cracks with auto body filler and lightly sand them down. Larger cracks would require replacing the piece, so be proactive about repair.
- Trim nearby overgrown plants or shrubs to prevent them from leaning on the fence and damaging it.
How Do You Clean a Vinyl Fence?
With a little care from you, your vinyl fence can look its best for years to come. Soon, neighbors will be asking how you clean your vinyl fence and how you keep it looking so good.
Lowe’s has everything you need to keep your fence in tip top shape. Visit your local Lowe's and a Red Vest associate will be glad to help you find the supplies you need to spruce up your vinyl fence.