Alternatives to using bleach on wood - Power Wash Network "The Power Wash Contractors Forum"

Mike Hughes · #1 (**permalink**) 09-25-01

Quote:

Originally posted by Aplus
Rick,
You would probably get better results using a cleaning mixture other than bleach for a wood fence. Bleach has been shown to be very damaging to wood fibers. Oxalic acid works much better.

Let's talk about alternatives to using bleach on wood.........assuming that you are not dealing with extrememly heavy mold, in which case, you may not have any choice but to use bleach.

I didn't think that oxalic acid makes a very good cleaner. To the best of my knowledge, it is better used as a brightner or neutralizer.........

Other options:

Oxygenated Bleach (usually a powder)

Feel free to add something here..........lets get this topic going...

Aplus · #2 (**permalink**) 09-25-01

Oxalic acid is the main ingrediant for many of the commercially prepared deck cleaning products, including, but not limited to: Wolmans Deck and Fence Brightener, Flood's Dekswood, & ZEP's Deck & Fence Cleaner.

Of course, some home brews will work better, but generally speaking, they will do a pretty decent job, provided the wood does not have stain, or sealer of any kind on it, and the issue is just natural greying, and dirtiness.

The cheaper prepared mixes only contain a medium sodium hypoclorite content (bleach), and a surfactant. I have "fixed" many decks that homeowners have messed up with this product.

I'll leave alternate cleaning solutions to others to post about.