Vinyl Fence Cleaning: Why You Shouldn’t Wait Until It’s Too Late

David Moore
Jul 14
3 min read

Why Vinyl Fence Cleaning Is More Important Than You Think

Vinyl fences are a popular, low-maintenance option for homeowners in Florida, but they’re not maintenance-free. At Sunshine AquaWash, we’ve cleaned dozens of vinyl fences across Bradenton, Palmetto, Parrish, and surrounding areas — from tall white privacy fences to decorative picket fences and long stretches of post-and-rail horse fencing.

Over time, vinyl fences become magnets for algae, mold, mildew, lichen, moss, dirt, and yard debris. Waiting too long to clean your vinyl fence can lead to staining, permanent discoloration, and even make the cleaning process much more labor-intensive (and costly). Here’s what you need to know.

Lichen & Algae Covered Vinyl Fence Before and After Cleaning

Common Types of Vinyl Fences We Clean

Privacy Fences: Solid panels that provide backyard seclusion but can hide a lot of algae buildup on both sides.
Picket Fences: Decorative and charming but notorious for trapping mildew and grass stains between slats.
Post-and-Rail (Horse Fencing): Widely used in rural and suburban properties — large surface area means more room for algae and lichen to grow.

Post-and-Rail Fence Before and After Cleaning

Why Regular Cleaning Is Essential

Vinyl fences are exposed to constant moisture, humidity, and Florida’s intense sun — the perfect storm for organic growth. If left untreated, buildup like lichen (gray, crusty patches) becomes harder to remove and can etch into the vinyl.

👉 Pro Tip: If your vinyl fence is starting to look gray or green, don’t wait. The longer organic material sits, the stronger and more caustic the cleaning solution needs to be.

Split image of a weathered, dirty, lichen and algae covered fence before cleaning and a bright, clean fence after. Trees in background. Text: Sunshine Aquawash. — White Vinyl Fence Cleaning before and after

Our Professional Vinyl Fence Cleaning Process

At Sunshine AquaWash, we use a low-pressure soft wash system with a professional-grade blend of sodium hypochlorite (SH) and water to safely clean your fence without damaging it. Here’s how it works:

Pre-Rinse Plants & Grass: We thoroughly wet all nearby vegetation to minimize chemical impact.
Apply SH Mix: Our soft wash system delivers an even coat that breaks down algae, mold, and mildew.
Dwell Time: We allow the solution to sit and work on the buildup.
Rinse and Touch-Up: In areas with lichen or stubborn stains, we may follow up with a fan tip or turbo nozzle for effective removal.
Final Rinse of Vegetation: We rinse surrounding plants again to reduce the chance of wilting or browning.

⚠️ Even with proper precautions, some browning or temporary wilt may occur — especially when the fence was heavily infested with lichen or algae. This is often unavoidable due to chemical runoff, but we do our best to minimize impact.

What Happens If You Wait Too Long?

You’ll likely see gray lichen, which is more resistant and can take multiple applications or mechanical agitation to remove.
More SH (Sodium Hypochlorite) may be needed, increasing the chemical concentration and risk to nearby grass and plants.
The fence may develop etched-in stains that are harder to reverse.

Layers or Lichen, Algae, Moss Covered Fence Removed

Let Us Help You Restore Your Vinyl Fence

If your fence has started to discolor, Sunshine AquaWash is here to help. We bring years of experience, commercial-grade equipment, and safe practices to every job. Don’t wait until it’s covered in algae or lichen — we’ll restore its bright, clean look and protect your landscaping in the process.