Say goodbye to wood stains with these tips

Wood is a durable material. It can stand against the harsh weather, regardless of the season. This is why it is an excellent choice for external building material used for fences, decks, sheds, siding, and furniture. However, they are also prone to stains when in contact with water. This is unavoidable even if you seal the wood. Furthermore, these strains differ, and no single method of residential cleaning in Melbourne can solve the issue. 

The right time to clean water stains

When it comes to cleaning water stains, the driest time of the year is your best bet. Most drying methods take time to dry, and there should be no water during this time. Frequent rain can ruin your efforts. Therefore, go for a day or month that usually is dry, like June or the sunny January in Melbourne. However, if your wooden object can be moved, take it to a garage or a room for cleaning. This will allow you to get rid of the stains regardless of the season.

Types of water stains and cleaning methods

• Milky white water stains

If your outdoor table has milky white stains, it is likely from a wet water glass that discolored the sealant material of the wood. This type of stain can be cleaned with ease. You can use two methods; one with iron and the other a more abrasive method using lemon. 

Method 1: Iron it out

1. Make sure the iron is dry and keep it in the no steam or dry mode. 
2. Place a plain white cloth on the table over the stain. (Dyed cloth may transfer color to the wood)
3. Iron over the cloth and check once in a while to know the progress. Make sure to shift the cloth each time you lift. 

Method 2: Lemon scrub

1. Squeeze a few drops of lemon on the wooden surface. 
2. Use fine steel wool to rub in the direction of the wood grain.

• Stains on the wood siding

Water stains on wood siding are mostly due to tracked dirt from dirty water puddles or wet soil. You may find this in the bottom section of the siding, where it comes in contact with the soil. There is a high chance that you have a gutter problem if you see too much staining of the siding. You can easily clean this with a garden hose. 

Method: Hose it down

1. With a spade or shovel, clean out the soil from the siding’s bottom lip, around 12 inches. 
2. With a garden hose, clean a section of the siding top to bottom. Continue with the rest of the first section was cleaned properly. 

• Stubborn black stains

Stains that are dark, black, and stubborn need a strong bleaching solution of Oxalic acid. These are caused by prolonged exposure to water. Make sure you wear protective glass and gloves when doing this. 

Method: Oxalic bleaching

1. Mix Oxalic acid concentrate in hot water and apply to the surface using a brush.
2. Reapply until the wood has bleached sufficiently. This is necessary to keep the solution warm. 
3. Rinse the wood and let it dry completely. 

• Dark water stains

Dark water stains can be hard to remove. Therefore, you need to clean it with a diluted bleach solution for cleaning this. These stains are caused when the water activates the wood tannins; dirt in the water can also cause these stains.

Method: Bleach it

• Mix a solution of 50% bleach and 50% cool water. 
• Using a dense sponge, apply this solution to the surface. (Don’t drench the wood)
• Let it dry fully. 

Conclusion

Exterior wooden objects or furniture add a texture to the entire house. However, they can be stained very easily with exposure to elements, especially water. How you clean them, and the degree of ease depends largely on the type of stain. Regardless of which of the above methods you use, be sure to use protective equipment like glasses and gloves.