How To Clean Cedar Siding [7 Effective Methods]

Classic wood furniture never goes out of style and is frequently used to decorate our homes. Wood furniture, on the other hand, might be difficult to keep clean. It accumulates grime or dirt over time that is difficult to remove using a duster.

When it comes to cedar siding upkeep, terminology like dusting, cleaning, waxing, and polishing are commonly used. You’ll probably have to do all four of these cleaning activities on a regular basis to maintain your wood furniture looking its best.

For wood, you should always look for particular care and cleaning instructions. Continue reading to learn how to remove dirt off wood furniture and how to care for it to keep it looking new for decades.

7 Easy Ways To Clean Cedar Sidings

Method 1: Cleaning With Chlorine Bleach

Required Elements-

Chlorine Bleach, Scrub Brush,Water

There are three forms of bleach: oxygen bleach, which contains hydrogen peroxide; bleaching powder, which contains calcium hypochlorite; and chlorine bleach, that can also be found in laundry detergents. Cleaning cedar siding with chlorine bleach is the suggested method.

Procedure-

• .Mix a quart of liquid laundry bleach to a gallon of water(You shouldn’t apply bleach to your siding without first mixing it with water)
• Put it in a spray bottle and spray on the wood.
• Use Scrub brush and rub with microfiber cloth

If you have a garden that will be destroyed by chlorine bleach, use oxygen bleach instead, which is safer for your plants. That method is written below.

Method 2: Use Oxygen Bleach To Clean

Required Elements –

Oxygen Bleach, water.

The hue of cedar changes as it ages. The use of a stain will keep homeowners who don’t like the rustic look happy. These stains, unfortunately, allow mold and mildew to take hold more quickly than cedar that hasn’t been stained.

The go-to cleaning product for resolving your problems is oxygen bleach. When mixed with water and put on cedar siding, it can kill mold, algae, and mildew while also restoring the siding’s natural beauty.

Another advantage of utilizing oxygen bleach over chlorine bleach is that it is not harmful. Simply apply the solution to your siding using a receptacle connected to a garden hose or a low-pressure washer. Allow it to soak for 15 minutes before brushing it away with a nylon-bristled brush. After you’ve scrubbed or power washed the siding, make sure to rinse it with a garden hose to remove all the mold and mildew.

Procedure-

• Mix a quart of liquid oxygen bleach to a gallon of water(You shouldn’t apply bleach to your siding without first mixing it with water)
• Put the mixture in a spray bottle and rub microfiber cloth.

Method 3: Cleaning with Common Household Cleaner

Required Elements –

Detergent/Liquid Soap, Water.

The primary element in most commercial household cleaners for cedar siding is oxygen bleach, however there are additional products using hydrogen peroxide as an active ingredient.

These cleansers have no chemical odors or fumes and are suitable to use in locations where plants, grass, and trees will be present. Peroxide does not discolor surfaces and dissolves swiftly in a matter of hours.

Hydrogen peroxide cleaners have been shown to brighten the appearance of cedar without leaving blotchy regions, nor do they bleach out the wood or cause the fibers to become brittle, as stronger chemicals may.

Most homeowners who use hydrogen peroxide solutions will apply it with a garden hose attachment and lightly brush the cedar, or they will use a low-pressure washer with no scrub.

Procedure-

• .Mix a quart of detergent/liquid soap to a gallon of water and shake well.
• Put the solution in a spray bottle and rub microfiber cloth.

Method 4: Using Vinegar and Water to Clean Wood Furniture

Required Elements –

Vinegar, Water.

Combine half a cup of white vinegar and half a gallon of warm water in a bucket. You might want to double it for larger surfaces. Spray the vinegar mixture on a soft rag or put the rag into the bucket and thoroughly wring it out. Take care.

If water penetrates the finish on wood, it can cause damage. Wipe in a circular motion with your dampened cloth. When the cloth gets noticeably soiled, rinse it or swap to a clean rag and repeat until the entire piece is clean.

Procedure-

• Mix half a cup of white vinegar and half a gallon of warm water and shake well.
• Pour the solution into a spray bottle.
• Rub gently with a microfiber cloth.

Method 5: Vinegar and Olive Oil as a Furniture Polish

Required Elements –

Olive Oil, Vinegar, Water.

You’ll want to polish your cedar wood once or twice a year to keep it looking new. It’ll work with vegetables or olive oil. Olive oil is my preferred cooking oil because it is less fattening… yep, it is a joke. Combine a quarter cup of olive oil and a quarter cup of white vinegar in a small mixing bowl.

Apply a tiny amount of the mixture to the wood with a soft cloth and buff it to a sheen. The oil should help the wood retain moisture. Again, a limited area should be tested first.

Procedure-

• Mix half a cup of white vinegar, olive oil, and half a gallon of warm water and shake well.
• Put it in a spray bottle and rub microfiber cloth

Method 6: Iron-Based Stains Cleansing

Required Elements –

Wooden Bleach solution Containing a 5% Oxalic Acid

Iron in galvanized fasteners, as well as some window screens and flashings, can stain cedar and cause blue or black stains. Oxygen bleach has no effect on these spots. To remove the stains, use a wood bleach solution containing a 5% oxalic acid solution.

Because oxalic acid is poisonous, keep pets and small children away while you’re working with it. Wear protective clothing as well as rubber gloves.

To avoid wood damage, thoroughly wipe and rinse away any remaining acid after spot-cleaning the afflicted areas with a nylon scrub brush. Excess wood bleach can be removed with a moist sponge.

It’s important to keep in mind that simply removing a stain created by metal objects will not prevent future stains; identical fasteners or materials can cause stains again.

Procedure-

• Spray wood bleach solution containing a 5% oxalic acid solution to the dark affected areas of wood.
• Lastly, spray some water and rub it off with a microfiber cloth.

Method 7: Cleaning With A Water Pressure Washer

Required Elements –

Pressure Washer, Pressure Washer Cleaner(Oxy Solve House and Siding Pressure Washer Cleaner), Water.

It can be difficult to use a pressure washer on cedar siding because some of these washers produce a powerful stream of pressure that can harm fragile materials. Reduce the machine’s pressure so that the water doesn’t damage the wood or go underneath it (which can lead to mold, mildew, and eventually damage the structures behind the siding).

If you want to use a pressure washer on your cedar siding, check with the manufacturer first. Introduce the cleaning solution to the mix after determining the appropriate pressure.

Hold the nozzle at roughly eye level and at a 25-degree angle. Standing a few feet away from the area you’re cleaning, avoid spraying upwards since this will force water behind the siding. Begin at the bottom and work your way up in a side-to-side motion. After you’ve pressure cleaned the house, a thorough rinse of the siding is advised.

Procedure-

• Using the soapy cleaning solution to the mix after determining the appropriate pressure. Hold the nozzle at roughly eye level and at a 25-degree angle.

What Causes the Aging of Wood Siding?

Moisture and water that cause mold stains to appear.

Mold can be observed by the appearance of gray spots (and even black in the worst cases) on the surface of the wood. The longer the mold stays on your siding, the more difficult it will be to dislodge. Finally, if mold is allowed to grow on the wood, the planks or shingles can suffer irreparable damage.

Another factor that attacks the finish of wood siding: UV rays.

Indeed, exposure to the sun of your wood siding naturally leads it to turn gray and fade the color of the stain, oil or paint covering it.

It is therefore quite normal and inevitable that your wood siding will deteriorate over time. However, performing a good cleaning – with the right products – will allow you to regain the original appearance of the siding and stop its degradation.

Conclusion

Determining the outdoor cedar wood’s finish is an important aspect of effective wood upkeep. Waxing is used to restore the finish’s durability, but make sure you select a wax developed specifically for wood.

The other alternative is to use an oil-based polish, although oil does not produce a hard finish as well. Waxing an oiled wood, whatever you do, will cloud the sheen.

Though cedar wood is naturally hard and weather-resistant, you can increase the longevity of your furniture by following some basic maintenance procedures. Keep your wooden furniture out of direct sunlight, or at the very least limit its exposure. Cracks can also be caused by storing the piece in an extremely wet environment. Dusting on a regular basis will also assist to prevent the dulling effect of dirt accumulation.