Oh yeah just to clarify - 95% of homes I have painted have been WRC clapboards or shakes. I'm going to step on this, with your pardon. The photo below shows a person cleaning a deck with oxygen bleach and a gentle brush. Algae and molds can be cleaned quite easily and effectively with bleaching agents such as sodium hypochlorite (liquid household bleach) and sodium percarbonate (the active ingredient in some commercial cleaners). the stain. There is a big difference in those two words. Add a little TSP to your mix, rinse well. Unfortunately, cedar can become the victim of mildew and mold. The whitewash painting step seals them in, so they cannot do any more growing and "spewing." We have been using Ready Seal for a full decade now. For the most part, for wood restoration, this web site is devoted to staining, not painting. As wood ages, mildew (mold) and algae begin to grow on the surface. This is another reason people with landscaping that comes into contact with the solution will use vinegar instead of bleach or detergents. Maren Elizabeth Morgan (author) from Pennsylvania on June 30, 2020: JennyBlythe, I used dolomitic lime because that is that I could find in the big box store near me. :cup: Although Dan seems to be a tad grumpy too. James Hardie siding, for example, is a leader in producing this type of siding, which is durable and replaced less often than other types of siding material. However, you can also buy an attachment with a chemical cleaner that is hooked up to the garden hose and used to distribute the solution on the siding. This often occurs when the zinc on galvanized fasteners weathers away or from rust washed from other sources such as window screens, failed flashing, or metal ornaments. While it might take away the aesthetically pleasing natural wood look, it will protect the wood fibers from the constant abuse of weather. Cedar siding is known for being durable and long-lasting, but it is prone to dirt and dust buildup, which needs to be cleaned off periodically. With your garden hose, go over all the siding and rinse away the mold and remaining bleach/water solution. It worked very well. The more important reason for changing this, though, is because Borax is not the easiest material to dissolve. The word I used was "suppress". Moisture and mold are actually one of the worst problems homeowners with wood siding encounter. High pressure shouldnt be necessary. With regular cleaning, you can avoid having to work long and hard to get rid of stubborn stains or a massive buildup of mold and mildew. Degradation of lignin weakens the surface fibers, and strong cleaning solutions and aggressive methods will remove excessive amounts of fiber from the surface. Not just to brighten/neutralize, but to get the natural wood tannin from leaching to the surface. Buy a face mask and borrow or buy goggles. You might think someone can expect to find a little mold in any home, especially a home with a basement or which is located in a humid climate. Humid environments are excellent breeding grounds for mildew, which will take hold on your siding and will require a mildew-specific cleaner to remove. While it might seem like a good mold and mildew deterrent, chlorine bleach can damage your wood siding, which is why you should consider a non-chlorine bleach, like oxygen bleach, which is also more environmentally friendly. Technically, bleach is a disinfectant, not a cleaner. Spray or mop on, and allow the cedar to dry for a few days. tend to contain a lot of tannin. Chlorine bleach is the traditional and most popular form used in households, most often in the washer to get stains out of laundry. Would borax be a good method of treating my floors? Since you are a scientist - it is nice to know that you find this information vaild. FOIA | ), but usually there is only one box on a bottom shelf. Using a pressure washer is an efficient way to clean this type of material, but using long-handled, bristled brush is also an option. These finishes perform best by penetrating the wood surface and as a wood surface degrades, it becomes more porous. While getting the job done right is important, you probably want to also make quick work of the process. If your cedar siding has an oil-based stain on it, it has been found that this oil will help to feed the mold, which exacerbates the problem. Why Borax? To be extra careful, I suggest that you do all the steps (vacuum, Borax, lime wash) to the entire cabinet - while wearing a face mask, of course. She explains methods simply to homeowners who are not in the construction trades. Maren Elizabeth Morgan (author) from Pennsylvania on July 11, 2019: Someone asked if Borax would work against termites, especially in combination with other chemicals. And if you mix the TSP to bleach ratio just right - it's a one step cleaning process that both cleans and lightens. Allow it to soak for 15 minutes and use a nylon-bristled brush to remove the problem. Dont use a pressure washer unless it has a low setting (below 1,500 psi), and keep the nozzle at least six feet from the surface of the siding. When working on mold above your head, wear a respirator, goggles and a covering for your hair. Be careful when working with TSP, because it is a toxic substance that must be handled with care because it can be harmful when in contact with skin and to the environment. Since I work in either unheated or barely heated areas, the paint cools quickly and I am not in danger of burning my skin with scalding water. Answer: If those planks are moldy, the hyphae (roots) of the mold organisms are probably deep inside and waiting. Privacy Policy | USDA Recovery | If you have a lot of dirt and grime on your siding, youll need to switch out your cloth and continually rinse out your sponge or brush so it is free of debris. Replacing the Siding). These ingredients help to remove residual finishes on the wood surface, but can cause even more surface damage than chlorine bleach. One of the go-to cleaners for getting rid of mold is a bleach and water solution. Whether soluble or insoluble, irons are prevalent in nearly all water supplies. You can also use a non-toxic product, vinegar, to kill mold on vinyl siding. Its not Ready Seal as a stain, its the wood. An annual washing will remove dirt and grime thats built up over the 12 months and give your wood siding a cleaner, more eye-pleasing appeal. It will look rather clear, more like cloudy water than an opaque white. Working from the bottom to the top, use a pump sprayer and wet the siding down. Maren Elizabeth Morgan (author) from Pennsylvania on February 08, 2016: When I mix Borax with Murphy Oil Soap it dissolves very quickly. Accessibility Statement | Simply pour the mixture into the reservoir of your power washer and make sure your pressure is high enough to clean the siding, but wont damage it. Make sure the vinegar dries before going to the next step. It's easy! 2022 The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers on this website. Ammonia reacts with bleach to form toxic fumes. The soap will cut through the grime and begin to break it down. HOWEVER - I found two problems with that. USA.gov | Whitehouse.gov, Installation, Care, and Maintenance of Wood Shake and Shingle Siding. Its not what everyone chooses to do, but some homeowners will paint their cedar siding. Good cedars/redwoods still have a fair amount of tannin just below the surface substrate. The object is to remove the fungi without excessive wood damage. Simply apply the solution to a receptacle attached to a garden hose or to a low-pressure washer apply it to your siding. A fuzzy surface appearance or excessive removal of surface fibers indicates that the solution concentration is too strong. Thanks a million. Please explain exactly how acid prevents future tannins from leaching to the surface? The best approach to making sure your cedar siding looks great and lasts as long as possible is to address problems you spot immediately. With a low-pressure setting, you dont have to worry about water getting in between the seams and cracks. Standing a few feet away from the area youre cleaning and make sure you dont spray in an upward direction, as this will force water behind the siding. I put the dry powdered Borax in a manageable sized 2+ quart saucepan (another advantage is the handle, which makes it easy to carry around), and then pour in boiling water from a teakettle and stir. One is to cover your plants with plastic to ensure no chemicals come into contact with them. Do not use detergent that contains ammonia. Its recommended that you use rubber gloves when working with bleach, and make sure your arms are covered and that youre wearing eye protection. The ph of MOS is around 11 and Borax is above 9. There are a number of advantages to fiber cement siding, which is why it is becoming a more popular choice for homeowners. In some cases, all thats required to remove dirt and grime from your fiber cement siding is water and a cloth, brush or sponge. Cleaners using hydrogen peroxide have been found to brighten the appearance of cedar and do not leave blotchy areas, nor do they bleach out the wood or cause the fibers to become brittle like harsher chemicals might. The last time (2002) I cleaned, brightened and sealed my cedar siding, and Ready Seal to finish. Identify the moldy area and brush or sweep away loose debris. You dont want to apply bleach directly to the siding without mixing it with water because it can damage your siding. Maren is a one-person fixer of "TLC Needed" houses. If otherwise, ignore the bleach. Always make sure youre at a minimum of six feet away from the siding when using a pressure washer, and make sure its set at no higher than 1,500 psi. If youre using a soft-bristled brush, be sure not to scrub too hard, as this can damage the siding. Don't worry, it will not harm you. Finally, make sure your scrubbing brush has soft bristles. You are not done yet. If you cant effectively cover your landscaping and/or cant prevent the cleaning solution from getting into the soil around the plants, use a vinegar solution. Cover every bit you can reach with your "paint." At VIS Exterior, we are expert installation, maintenance and repair professionals with years of experience working with vinyl, cedar, LP SmartSide and James Hardie fiber cement siding. Beth, I've been painting homes since around '90. Unfortunately, if you dont have control of the pressure on yours, youll need to leave your pressure washer in the garage. This is a normal process; these organisms do not degrade the wood. Peroxide wont stain surfaces and it degrades quickly over the course of a few hours. from the wood faster than the pH-neutral water. After youve pressure washed the house, it is recommended to hose the siding down for a good rinsing. I'm sorry Pamela, disregard my previous post. Otherwise, the final finish will not appear consistent. The residual finish is keeping the cleaning solution away from the mildew. The rule of thumb is to mix a quart of liquid laundry bleach to a gallon of water. Unlike vinyl siding, you dont want to use chlorine bleach to clean cedar siding. VIS Exterior can help you with roofing, siding, windows and gutters replacement and installation. This article is accurate and true to the best of the authors knowledge. Please comment to let me know how it goes for you. Furthermore, vinegar is not toxic, and when mixed with water it will not harm the plants around your house. Linda Crampton from British Columbia, Canada on December 20, 2012: Thanks for the useful information about borax, Maren Morgan, and thank you for describing the safety precautions that should be taken when trying to remove mold. Therefore, mix cleaners as dilutely as possible. Should you spot a problem that goes beyond your DIY expertise, call a professional to have the situation evaluated. If you can adjust your pressure to below 1,000 psi, you can use your washer, but contact your manufacturer first to make sure you have the right settings. As well.as well, does a good job at stripping the remainder of old finishes. And while modern siding is durable, whether it is vinyl, cedar, wood or fiber cement, nothing can stop it from becoming dingy, especially after years of exposure to the elements. From what I can understand, the cause of uneven, "blotched" semi-trans stain finishes on tannin rich woods such as cedars and redwoods is a bit more technical. They cannot break down the structural components of wood. Wet the cloth or brush as well as the siding, scrub and rinse until clean. However, there is such a thing as too much mold. Oxalic and other acids reduce the iron compounds, therefore suppressing the formation of tannin staining. The underside of flooring coated with Borax "paint.". Most homeowners using products with hydrogen peroxide will apply it with a garden hose attachment and lightly scrub the cedar, or theyll use a pressure washer set on low for a no-scrub approach. Bleach is an excellent product to use to remove mold, mildew and algae, as it essentially kills these growths and effectively erases any staining left as a result. All the safety equipment described above is for protection from the mold, not from the cleaning agent. If excessive amounts of fiber are removed during cleaning, the surface will not accept these finishes as well as the porous weathered surface. They feed off airborne contaminants, extractives, and oils in wood and in some finishes. The cleaner the surface of your siding, the less likely it is for mold and mildew to take hold and become a problem. Power washers are also known to push water under the siding, which can negatively impact the structures under the siding and lead to bigger problems later, such as rot and staining on the siding. A popular method of cleaning it is to use a five-gallon bucket filled with water and mix in some granular oxygen bleach. The stains from tannic acid are formed when iron and moisture come into contact with tannic acid in the wood. Good luck to you -- please consider getting and using a dehumidifier for the rest of your days to reduce the moisture/humidity that molds love. If youre nervous about the bleach damaging your siding, do a test scrub on a small area, let it dry and inspect the area. If you have landscaping that will be damaged by chlorine bleach, use oxygen bleach, mixing one cup in one gallon of water, as this will be safer for your plants. It is considered a laundry product, so go to the clothes washing aisle of your stores. Once it is paint on you just leave it there? In my experience, NaClO does not emulsify cedar/redwood tannin, only "bleaches" it, changing the color. Maybe you could use very hot tap water & put the Borax in the blender to break it down better, then add it to the full gallon (or 2 quarts) whatever works, but I hope you don't have to do this tiresome job again if you don't have to. You can use a pressure washer or a soft-bristled brush attached to a long-handled wand and a container full of cleaning solution attached to a garden hose to apply the solution and knock down the grime. In some cases, use a paint stripper to remove the residual finish prior to cleaning. Use a sponge or cloth to spread the solution over the siding. Follow the mildew cleaner instructions and lightly scrub the areas where mildew is growing. Then wait to dry and stain. The James Hardie website recommends using a soft cloth or sponge, a garden hose and one of the three cleaners mentioned. And, where does that line between slight and intolerable lie? The powerful ingredient is sodium hypochlorite, which is a toxic substance and is not good for your cedar siding, as it can damage the wood fibers. If the stream of soap and water doesnt completely remove the oil or grease, use a soft cloth to scrub the area until clean then do a final rinse with water from the garden hose to remove the soap and any remaining debris. For example, you can use a house wash product, which has a spray nozzle at the end where water and cleaning solution will shoot out of the nozzle with enough pressure eliminate easily removed debris from the siding. Under normal circumstances, Ready Seal doesn't need to be stripped, but since its 9 yrs old, its mostly faded any way and more than enough time for mildew to get in (and under?) Non-Discrimination Statement | Next, mix a gallon of hot water with three cups of mild dish soap. Question: Do you need to clean the mold off first and then paint the borax on or can you just paint the borax on and that then takes care of the mold? But remember, what you put on your siding will end up on the ground, so be sure the chemical youre using doesnt kill your landscaping. The next step is to suppress the tannin. If the weaker solution doesnt work, increase the concentration until you find a concentration that cleans the wood. This will prolong the life of the siding and give your home more curb appeal. Manufacturers have different recommendations on the ratio of water to bleach, which means youll need to follow the directions on the label. I really appreciate you posting this for we poor people not just this mold cure, but also all the wonderful fantabulous tabs for home improvement & the like. Allow to dry and inspect. These areas will need more attention, which includes spraying solution on them, letting the solution set for about 15 minutes and scrubbing the area with a cloth or sponge. I personally am going to put the solution in a larger garden pump-type sprayer, so I can really load up alot of Borax solution gallons & not have to change water alot. I have learned so much from all of you. Despite its eco-friendly nature, oxygen bleach will remove algae, mildew and mold from cedar. More importantly, regularly cleaning your siding will protect your home and prolong the life of the siding. Content is for informational or entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for personal counsel or professional advice in business, financial, legal, or technical matters. Use your oxygen bleach mixture in the storage tank on the washer and apply the solution moving from bottom to top. Dont use a bristle brush, because that can lead to scratches in the paint. HubPages is a registered trademark of The Arena Platform, Inc. Other product and company names shown may be trademarks of their respective owners. Answer: Yes, as long as you are not impeding moving parts. And while it is easy to maintain, its going to become grimy at some point after years of exposure to debris. In areas where the grime is particularly heavy and/or difficult to remove, use a soft bristled brush. By I am wondering if I should change my cleaner this time. It has been 9 years since you last stained the cedar? After 10 minutes, use a long-handled, soft-bristled brush to scrub away the mold. Just dilute from the instructions by adding 2 times the recommended water volume. Low water pressure cleaning will remove the surface build up on the wood(s). These same techniques can be used to clean shingles and siding. Purchase some oxalic acid at your local paint store and mix at ~ 6 oz. I do not see any value to sanding. Use a garden hose to rinse the area and repeat as necessary. Some areas of your siding might be more affected by dirt, mold and mildew, which means the stains will be more difficult to remove. Remember dont use chlorine bleach it will damage the wood fibers and shorten the life of your siding. Thanks for easy-to-follow directions. Note: Oxalic acid is toxic. These types of cleaners offer no chemical odor or fumes and they are safe to use in areas where they will be exposed to plants, grass and trees. Can I first spray a vinegar solution to help with the odor, then once it dries use the borax paint on this wooden subfloor? For mold and mildew, James Hardie recommends using a soft cloth or soft sponge, a garden hose and a solution of trusted mildew cleaner, such as those made by Jomax and Armor. This has nothing to do with sub standard fasteners. For oil, grease and other contaminants, the company recommends a soft cloth, a garden hose and a mild liquid dishwashing soap. Let it sit for around 15 minutes and go over it again, gently knocking down stains and dead mold. Sign up for a new account in our community. My project for next weekend is to chalk paint a cabinet with a little mold on the inside of one of the doors. Question: I am using borax on wood in an RV. I used Wolman to brighten and Ready Seal to finish. We serve, Can Vinyl Siding Be Painted? Woodschild, September 20, 2011 in DIY'ers - Ask The Pro's. Furthermore, you can prolong the life of your siding by making sure your gutters and downspouts are functioning correctly, because introducing regular and prolonged moisture to the material can be detrimental. Question: Can you paint over the borax concoction after it dries? For any siding need, we are your go-to siding experts. I would not expect to have them bare, raw, and natural again for a safe living space. Fiber cement siding is known for its durability and impact resistance, but it doesnt stand up to high powered pressure washers, which can mar the surface of the siding. If you are concerned that cleaning your vinyl siding with chemicals is going to kill your landscaping, there are ways to prevent plant loss. Store purchased NaOH wood stripper or "sodium hydroxide" can work well. I used to work & probably could've almost afforded a professional, but now, I gotta do it myself. You can also mitigate issues like mold and mildew before they become a problem by cleaning it twice per year. It is not hard to learn more. How Much Value Does a New Roof Add to Your House? Many thanks for all of the shared expertise. Furthermore, if you live in an area where pollution and/or dust is a problem, youll likely have to address your cleaning needs on a more frequent basis. The ratio in your solution should be 70 percent water to 30 percent vinegar. It is best to work on a cool cloudy day or even during a gentle rain so the solution doesnt evaporate. Its an excellent stain remover and degreaser that will help your laundry detergent and water mixture cut through the toughest grime. When using a cleaner, you might mix the solution weaker than the recommended strength and try it on a small area. The James Hardies website recommends cleaning off dirt and chalk with water and a soft cloth or soft bristle brush. Bleach removes tannins as well. SERVICE NOTICE: Due to an extremely busy season, VIS Exterior is only able to offer installation services and will be unable to provide customers with repair services until further notice. Next, do the Borax paint and THEN: to seal the roots so that it does not grow back, do the whitewash paint. Plain Writing | Iron reacts with the extractives in cedar redwood to give a dark blue-black stain. Finnish hardwoods, like birch and aspen, do not contain tannins. This at least starts the paint as fully dissolved. Report Fraud on USDA Contracts | Sure you can remove some surface tannin build up by blasting the * out of the cedar, but that is by far not the best practice. Of course, and acid is applied after cleaning. Information Quality | If Pamela had provided a few pictures, the diagnosis could be fine tuned. You do not need a pressure washer! Follow the instructions on your mildew cleaner, and make sure to rinse the cleaner off the siding. You can also use a solution of 75 percent water to 25 percent white vinegar, which is quite effective in killing mold and removing stains. For cedar siding, a light strip will be best. Aggressive scrubbing shouldnt be necessary; let the cleaner do the work. James Hardie vs. LP SmartSide: Which Is The Best Siding For Your House? tend to contain a lot of tannin. After youve determined what amount of pressure will work, introduce the cleaning solution to the mix and hold the nozzle at around eye level and at 25 degrees. volume per gallon. With semi-transparent stains, such as Ready Seal, this step is critical. Some basic painting prep, and it lasts a long time on vertical wood. Do not be casually confident that you are a healthy person and your immune system can defend itself. You can use a mild soap with water, oxygen bleach or hydrogen peroxide-based cleaners for this twice-yearly task. Be safe. If the dilute cleaning solutions described above are not effective, it is probably because the mildew is inter-grown with residual finish on the surface. When you use the correct fasteners for these woods, this isn't even an issue. You should check with your vinyl siding manufacturer to make sure using a pressure washer is safe. This type of siding incorporates wood strands coated with wax and bonded with resin and other binders, which is part of what provides that extra layer of impact protection, but using a pressure washer set on high can do plenty of damage to the material. If you do not drink normal water, eat a lot of calve's liver. Oxalic acid generally brightens the wood surface, but is not very effective for removing algae or mold, nor will it keep iron stain from reoccurring if the source of the iron is not removed. If your power washer can be set to a psi below 1,500, it is safe to use as long as you attach a wide fan tip and keep the nozzle a minimum of six feet from the surface of the siding. Again, when cleaning wood, the gentler the better. Question: Can I use borax for mold in a garage door? You can use a nylon bristle brush to remove the debris from the wood after it has been allowed to soak for around 15 minutes. Answer: Testing would be an excellent step! Will painting the borax on wood keep mold from growing again? Thank you for understanding. You want a very light stripper to clean and get rid of any remaining Ready Seal stain or cedar tannin. 