How To Remove Stain From Cedar Siding?: With Simple Steps

Cedar siding is attractive when it is fresh and new. But, it can become filthy, dark, and neglected over time. The side of the house that receives the least amount of sunlight can be the worst, with black mold or mildew forming on the cedar.

Now, you might wonder- how to remove stain from cedar siding?

There are multiple ways to remove stains from cedar siding. The easiest way is by using powdered bleach. Besides, you can also use wood deck cleaners to remove such stains. Using sanders is also a viable option.  Depending on the stain you have, you need to choose your method of removing it.  

Well, the solution is pretty simple, you can simply just clean, repaint and stain your siding to remove the stain from your cedar siding. It sounds simple but it isn’t.

So stick with us to the end to learn how to restore the attractiveness of your cedar siding with simple home remedies.

What Causes the Stain on Cedar Siding?

Mold or mildew is the main reason for stains getting attached to the cedar siding. But, how does it take place in the first place? 

Well, after the rain, snow, or humid circumstances, an outside wall that doesn’t get enough sunshine stays wet longer than the other sides of the structure. Because mildew thrives in wet environments, cedar siding stained with an oil-based stain is nearly a haven for new mildew.

And, this is where the trouble begins. After the new mildew growth, more keeps adding up.

Looking Into The Stain

The transparent and semitransparent stains are often the culprits that cause molds or mildew to grow. Oil-based stains contain natural substances. These substances are food for mold and mildew spores. 

Mold and mildew love moisture and the lack of sunshine helps them grow abundantly. Rain, snow, and other humid conditions also help them proliferate. 

Blue or black stains can be caused due to iron. The iron can be found in galvanized fasteners present in windows screens and flashings.

The Solution To Remove The Stain From Cedar Siding

Now that we have found out what is causing the stain, let’s focus on the solution. Here are some of the steps you can follow along: 

Using a Sander

You can spend the day rubbing the cedar siding with a sander. By using a sander, you can optionally leave some of the existing finish. 

Before you start, clean the wood using a wood cleaner. Follow the instructions of the cleaner. 

Once the wood is clean, scrub the wood vigorously. Start in one corner of your wooden wall. Then sand along in the direction of the wood grain fibers.

Move the sander quickly to avoid removing too much wood fiber.

Using a light semi-transparent stain is also an option. If a sort of  patina look is what you are after, that is the best choice. 

But using a sander is not a very good method as it is very inefficient. Rubbing the whole outer wall will take an extremely long time.

Oxygen Bleach

Oxygen bleach is a very efficient way of removing algae, mold, and mildew from your cedar 

siding. But it is for the best if you use powdered oxygen bleach that does not contain potassium hydroxide. or sodium hydroxide. 

Now to begin, follow the directions on the bottle to mix the powdered bleach. Then apply the solution with a clean sprayer. Give the solution 15 minutes to soak. 

Once soaked, the oxygen bleach will automatically remove much of the discoloration. The rest needs to be removed using a nylon-bristled scrub brush. Finally, use a garden hose to rinse the cedar siding.

If the wood is still dingy looking in some parts, you can use a wood deck cleaner. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions. That should be enough. After that, use a wood restoring product designed for cedars. 

Note that while mixing the oxygen bleach powder, precautions need to be taken. Breathing in the powder or rubbing it in your eyes is hazardous for your health. It can cause serious irritation. 

Wood Bleach

As we already mentioned, the iron-based stains are black or blue. They do not react to oxygen bleach. 

Instead, wood bleach is needed. Wood bleach that contains a 5 percent oxalic acid solution is the best choice for removing iron-based stains.

The process of applying wood bleach is the same as oxygen bleach. Wood bleach has to be mixed following the directions on the bottle. 

Then spray the solution on the iron-based stains. Give the mixture 15 to 20 minutes to soak. Then spot-clean the affected areas using a nylon scrub brush. 

You have to thoroughly wipe and rinse away any remaining acid. This is to prevent damage to the wood.

Protective gears must be worn while working with wood bleach. Rubber gloves are highly recommended. The oxalic acid present in wood bleach is toxic. So keep away from pets and children.

Repainting The Cedar Siding

Most cedar, particularly wood from the cedar tree’s center or heart, can withstand any weather, however, it will naturally gray over time.

Some individuals find this worn aspect to be lovely and rustic, while others find it to be run-down and unappealing. Paint your cedar siding if you fall into the second group or just want a splash of color.

Because of the wood’s low density, shrinkage effects, and natural preservatives, the gray cedar may appear fragile, but it likely still has many years of life left. Cleaning the cedar siding with bleach and solution is a good idea. Remove any loose surface particles with sandpaper.

Finally, you need to prime the cedar siding with some exterior latex paint. This will prevent tannic acid or natural red coloring to appear on the cedar.

Choose a color that simulates fresh cedar or mixes in well with the surrounding area.

Staining The Cedar Siding

After washing your cedar to restore its color, coat it with a clear exterior varnish to help it last longer. A good waterproofing product can keep your cedar looking new for longer while also preventing algae growth.

If you want your siding to be a different color, go with a deeper stain than the cedar. A deep walnut or brilliant cherry, for example, will hide the natural reds and golds of cedar. This will make your siding look cooler.

Don’t forget to test the stain for color results. It’s always better to do it in a secluded spot. Under the deck or porch will do good enough.

Repurposing The Cedar Siding

Maybe it’s time to replace a home’s cedar siding with something more modern or crisp. Consider repurposing the planks to preserve the long-lasting wood. Stack your cedar in a sheltered spot to keep it from decaying and save it for later use.

Then you need to give the cedars some breathing room. For that, put some scrap boards in a row. You can even put some slats perpendicularly, that works as well. Then put the cedars on top of it. Tada!! It’s that simple!

Use a lot of right-angle scraps to hold the cedar off the wet ground. This will reduce the possibility of warping. Plus, it will ensure that air can circulate around the worn wood. 

After that, use the old boards as trim around windows and doors to preserve a bit of the house’s past. Whether you clean, stain, or paint it, it will look great.

Side playhouses for garden huts with cleaned salvaged cedar and paint to match your home for a charming aesthetic. 

Now, don’t throw away your old cedars. You can use them to make fences, tables, birdhouses and so much more. You can repurpose them however you want and enjoy a few more years.

Precautions

There are some things you must be careful about while removing the stains from your house’s cedar siding. Let’s see some of the more necessary ones below:

Use Protective Gear

We’ve already mentioned the harmful effects of wood bleach and oxygen bleach. Breathing in powdered bleach is very dangerous. The bleach that comes into contact with the skin is also risky.

So protective gear such as masks, and rubber gloves are a must while using them

Do Not Use Household Bleach

Regular bleach cannot be used to remove stains. It is because the chlorine present in regular household bleach does not go well with wooden wall cedar siding.

As we know, household bleach is a highly corrosive product. This nature is helpful as a disinfectant.

On the other hand, the highly toxic and corrosive nature of bleach is what makes it so dangerous. Only select materials can withstand the use of bleach. Cedar siding is not one of them.

Chlorine bleach can cause permanent damage to wooden walls. It directly damages the wooden fibers.

Do Not Use Pressure Washing

Pressure washing sounds easy and harmless. It seems like a speedy solution. But it can damage the wood of your house.

Pressure washing requires high-pressure water. It can force its way in through seams or cracks of the wooden wall.  This causes moisture damage in areas that would have normally stayed dry.

Similarly, the water itself may damage weak parts of the wooden cedar siding. The high pressure may create cracks in the weak parts. It may even damage the study parts.

The pressure from the water can even damage the cedar siding itself. It may leave behind unsightly and sometimes permanent marks on the wall.

Choosing a New Stain

Now that we’ve dealt with the old stain on your cedar siding, it is time to choose a new one. To choose the best stain for you, you must first look into the options available. Here are our two cents on the stains available.

Synthetic Resin

Synthetic resin-based products are the most expensive option available in the market. But this proxy wood protection product is worth the money. Compared to the cost of replacing wood, synthetic resin comes at a minimal cost.

Synthetic Resin lasts twice as long as other stains. Mold and mildew can’t grow on walls with synthetic resin because it cannot be consumed as food by them.

Water Repellent Wood Stain

Selecting a stain with factory finishing on all four sides of your wood siding is the best choice. It is also one of the best protective measures you can take for long-term wood siding and decking performance.

Things You Shouldn’t Do

There are certain things you never should do while cleaning stains from your cedar siding. Those are-

1. While cleaning wood siding, do not use conventional home bleach, which includes chlorine. Chlorine bleach can permanently destroy wood fibers.
2. While pressure washing may appear to be a quick cure, it has the potential to cause serious damage to your home. Water can seep in through seams or fractures, causing moisture damage to regions that would otherwise be dry. Extreme pressure can also harm cedar, producing unattractive ruts and markings that are permanent.

FAQs

Conclusion

Now that you know the reason behind the stain on your cedar siding, you’ll know the answer to how to remove stain from cedar siding.

So you’ve figured out what has to be done. Then just go ahead and do it. All the best!