This Is How to Effectively Clean a Chain Link Fence

Although a chain link requires little maintenance, you must still properly care for your fence to ensure it lasts years to come. Any type of fence can become dirty, stained, or rusted over time. This is why it’s important to understand how to care for a fence.

The steps to keep it well-maintained are so simple, anyone could follow them. Once you learn the best fence cleaning tips, your fence will remain aesthetically pleasing for quite some time. This is essential for both homeowners and business owners alike.

An ugly or dirty fence can create a bad first impression on those who are either visiting your home or place of business. Make sure no one gets the wrong idea by keeping your fence in immaculate condition.

What’s the best way to clean and maintain a chain link fence?

Continue reading below for everything you need to know!

Know When to Clean It

Although your chain link fence is durable, it’s still vulnerable to weather elements. Being exposed to the outdoors on a 24/7 basis means your fence will eventually be affected by dirt, rust, tree sap, mud, and more. This is inevitable, but if you take good care of the fence, you won’t have to worry about it being damaged.

How often should you clean your fence?

You should check the condition of your fence occasionally to ensure there’s no rust or dirt building up in one area. If you do find rust, mud, or dirt, you can quickly rinse off that section. Rust should be treated more in-depth to prevent it from worsening.

You should also be on the lookout for any posts that have fallen or are out of place. Be sure to correct these as well.

Aside from this regular maintenance, do be sure to thoroughly clean the fence at least once a year.

Gather All Your Supplies

When it is time to clean your fence, gather all the required supplies and have them nearby. You’ll need to grab the following items:

• garden hose
• bucket and dish soap
• household detergent
• soft-bristled scrub brush
• broom
• white vinegar
• plastic scrub pad
• rust inhibitor
• paper towels

Some of these items might not be needed, depending on the condition of your fence and the type of care you need to provide to it. It’s best to have all of these supply items handy, however, in case you end up needing them. It’ll save you time by not having to stop what you’re doing to look for a specific item.

Once you have all of your supplies, you can then begin to clean your fence.

Target Rusted Sections

If you’re noticed rusted sections on your fence, then you’ll want to target these areas first. You’ll want to use the broom to brush off any loose rust from the fence. Then, soak a paper towel in white vinegar and wrap it around the section of the rusted fence.

You may need a few paper towels depending on how large the rusted section is. Allow the towels to soak on the fence for about 30-45 minutes. Remove the towels and dip your scrub brush into the white vinegar as well.

Take the scrub brush and remove the rest of the rust with it. You should then keep an eye on these sections to ensure rust doesn’t form on them again.

Prepare the Fence

Now you can prepare the fence for proper cleaning. Rinse the fence off using your garden hose. Place the hose on a high setting and hose off the fence from the top to the bottom.

Be sure to inspect the fence thoroughly for any sections where extra cleaning will be needed.

Start the Cleaning Process

Take your bucket and fill it with warm soapy water. Dip the soft-bristled brush into the soapy water. Start at the top of the fence and work your way down while scrubbing horizontally.

Once done, rinse the fence off with the garden hose. Inspect the fence for any stains. If you find stubborn stains still on the fence, then you can mix one gallon of water with one cup of household detergent.

Place the scrub brush into the solution and scrub the spots. When done, rinse it off with the garden hose.

Protect It With Aftercare

After cleaning the entire fence, you’ll want to protect it with aftercare. The right aftercare will help you maintain your fence and prevent rust and other damages from occurring. You can use a spray-on rust inhibitor on the sections where rust normally forms.

This will help prevent rust from building again. If you deal with rust on a consistent basis, then you may need to refinish your fence. Refinishing the sections of the fence prone to rust will also help prevent rust from forming.

Once complete, remember to occasionally inspect your fence for problem areas and perform a deep clean on the fence at least once a year.

Is Your Chain Link Fence Due for Replacement?

Is your chain link fence past the point of return? Have you tried cleaning it with no luck? If the fence is many years old or has been affected by rust for several years, then it may be time to replace it.

At Rio Grande Fence, we provide our customers with a large selection of chain link fence products and more! Our experts will help you create the fence your home or business deserves.

Get your free instant quote today to get started!