Cleaning Cedar Siding Mildew

Mildew is a common form of discoloration of paints and stains caused by staining fungi.

Cleaning cedar siding mildew.

One method that usually works successfully is to use a wood cleaning product. Cedar wash works great on all types of cedar or any type of natural wood. Tip 1 cleaning surface dirt surface dirt should be removed from cedar shake siding before attempting to remove black spots from the mold. Dry the siding first if you notice signs of mold growth.

When it is time to refinish clean off the mildew with a mild bleach solution oxygen bleach is preferred or commercial mildew remover. If necessary a stiff bristle non metallic brush can be used. Note that you should avoid applying the bleach solution in direct sunlight or to unfinished wood. The side of the house with the least sun exposure can be the worst spot with the cedar developing mildew or mold that looks black.

The oxygen bleach comes as a granular powder that mixes with water. For the best results thoroughly inspect your western red cedar siding trim and or decking first for any damage mildew and dirt. The safe and effective way to clean the wood is oxygen bleach. It is highly toxic to vegetation.

Use it to clean fences decks furniture cedar siding or roofing barn board and log homes. You can dry wood siding using a dehumidifier or a space heater. When mildew gains a foothold homeowners often turn to diluted chlorine bleach sodium hypochlorite a k a. The solution should not be used for aluminum gutters or windows.

Re staining does not solve a mildew problem. Mix a commercial wood cleaner in a regular garden sprayer according to the manufacturer s directions and spray the cleaner onto a small area of your cedar shakes starting at the top and working your way down. You can also use this technique to clean siding as well as sealed brick and patio stones. For moldy siding wait until the weather is also dry to effectively take.

It is non toxic to trees and vegetation and will not remove natural color from the siding. Start by cleaning a small area. Get rid of that grunge by cleaning your cedar siding with an. Test a small part of your siding to determine exactly what type of staining problem you are dealing with tannin or mildew.

When you have completed your cleaning let it dry for 48 hours and then apply our cedar seal to protect it. Typically these products work better when used according to directions found on the product s container. It appears to make mildew vanish but on porous surfaces such as wood or vinyl siding chlorine evaporates too quickly to get to the fungi s roots guaranteeing regrowth. Removing the the wood mold with oxygen bleach.