Mold wash for my ugly, old fence
After I cut my lovely rose bushes I noticed the fence behind them needed a face lift. The fence is old and partly rotten, but ain’t nobody got time or money to build a new fence! I decided to do just a small face lift by painting the red part (other side is on neighbour’s side). But first: mold wash.
Mold and moss can be unsightly and damaging to wood if left untreated. Fortunately, washing them away is a relatively simple process that can be done using a bleach detergent. Here’s how to do it:
Protect the surroundings – and yourself
Before you begin, remove any objects or furniture near the wooden surface and protect the surrounding area to prevent flowers etc. from getting damaged. I didn’t do this so likely my rose bushes are dead now. You should also use protective rubber gloves and safety glasses (the substance is usually a strong, chlorine-containing detergent).
Prepare the bleach detergent
Dilute the detergent with water according to the instructions on your package (depending on the product). I used Detroid mold wash from Puuilo (Finland). My lovely husband bought it for me as a birthday gift. She really knows what woman needs!
Brush and let it sit
Read the instructions of your product because the absorption time may vary depending on the brand. I applied the detergent with a paint brush. I let it sit for couple of minutes. This will give the bleach time to sink in and break down the mold and moss.
Scrub and rinse
I watered the treated area with a watering can (because there was no hose or pressure washer nearby) and brushed all the moss and mold away – except the neighbour’s side because I didn’t want to go into their rose bushes to do it..
Once you have scrubbed the surface clean, rinse it thoroughly with water to remove remaining bleach. If you use a pressure washer, use it with very low pressure.
Let it dry
I’m going to let the fence dry for a couple of days and I will wait for a warmer weather before painting the fence – because Finland and -4 Celsius this morning.
In conclusion, washing mold and moss from a wooden surface with a bleach detergent is a simple process. But again, if you don’t want to get blind or get serious skin damage, protect your eyes and hands. And roses.
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