Keeping Your Garden Fence Clean: Expert AdviceKeeping Your Garden Fence Clean: Expert Advice As the weather improves, many homeowners seek to spruce up their garden fences for the upcoming outdoor season. A popular method is to use a pressure washer, but experts warn against this approach. Instead, they recommend a simple and cost-effective trick: Warm Soapy Water and a Scrub Brush 1. Mix warm soapy water in a bucket. 2. Use a scrub brush or old stiff brush to apply the soapy water to the fence panels. 3. Gently scrub the dirt and grime. 4. Rinse the fence thoroughly with water. Benefits of Using Soapy Water: * Cost-effective: Dish soap is readily available and affordable. * Safe for wood: Soap will not damage or strip the protective layer on wooden fence panels. * Effective: Soapy water removes dirt and buildup without causing erosion or splintering. Why Pressure Washers Damage Fences: * Surface damage: Pressure washers can tear the wood’s surface, creating erosion and splinters. * Paint removal: High water pressure can strip protective paint or stain, leaving the wood vulnerable. * Moisture issues: Excessive moisture can lead to green moss, mold, or algae growth. * Uneven appearance: Cleaning agents in pressure washers can leave uneven streaks or discoloration. Expert Tips for Pressure Washer Use (if unavoidable): * Test in a hidden area first. * Use the lowest pressure setting possible. * Keep the spray nozzle at a safe distance from the fence. Additional Gardening Trends Experts Criticize: * Single-use outdoor spaces: Design spaces that serve multiple purposes, such as seating areas with storage. * Large bodies of water: Consider low-maintenance water features or bird baths instead. * Shower curtains for decoration: These can trap moisture and promote mold growth in fences.
WONDERING how to keep your garden fence looking spick and span without ruining it?
Experts warn to stay away from a popular hack and share a 60p trick you can use instead.
The expert shared tricks to keep your fence clean all year roundPhoto: Getty Pressure washers can do the painting job on your fencePhoto: Getty
As the weather gets warmer and wetter, many of us want to get our fences back in tip-top condition with a mid-season clean before we host friends and family.
However, for convenience and speed, many homeowners will be tempted to get the pressure washer out of the shed or even shell looking for a brand new piece of equipment.
But the DIY experts at Armstrong Cheshire Timber are warning homeowners to reconsider this approach. They offer a much cheaper and easier way to achieve excellent results.
Fencing expert Simon Wardle advised using “warm soapy water and a scrub brush or old stiff brush” to remove dirt and keep the fence panels in good condition.
The best part about this trick is that you probably already have some dish soap at home.
But if not, you can buy them for 60p in most supermarkets.
How can it damage your fence?
According to the founder of Armstrong Cheshire Timber: “Pressure washers can cause damage to timber panels; they tear the surface of the wood, causing erosion and splintering.
“It can also cause problems later when it comes to painting the wooden fence panel.”
And the problems don’t stop there.
Keep your plants hydrated while on vacation
If you leave your wooden fence panels to soak and don’t give them a chance to dry, you run the risk of having to deal with “
If you leave your wooden fence panels to soak and don’t give them a chance to dry, you run the risk of running into problems again. “a fence full of green moss, mold or algae.”
“If your fence is painted or stained, a pressure washer can remove the protective coating, leaving the wood vulnerable to weathering and requiring more frequent maintenance.
“Nobody wants to spend their summer painting and maintaining the fence.”
Finally, current According to the professional, cleaning agents can often make your fence look uneven.
“This can result in an uneven appearance that may require additional cleaning or sanding to even it out,” Simon says.
Expert advice if you really want to use a pressure washer
- Always test first: If you decide to use a pressure washer, test it in small, hidden areas, such as behind a shed or out of sight behind a tree.
- Low pressure: Use the lowest possible pressure setting and keep the spray nozzle as far away from the guide as possible.
More Gardening Trends Experts Are Criticizing
Single-use outdoor spaces
Although outdoor kitchens and pizza ovens in the garden are all the rage, you limit yourself if you use a space for only one purpose.
Why not opt for something multifunctional, such as a garden seating area that doubles as storage space?
Large bodies of water
While water features are still popular, they can be a downright nightmare to maintain.
And since the cost of living doesn’t seem to be going away anytime soon, a water feature in the yard can add unnecessary expense.
A bird bath is a good alternative and has the added benefit of attracting wildlife to your garden.
Shower curtains for decoration
The trend among mothers of hanging shower curtains in the garden to hide fences or unsightly surfaces went viral a while ago.
However, experts warn that shower curtains can be a problem if they don’t dry properly after a period of rain, leading to mold and possible damage.
