Wood and Baldwin County humidity do not get along. A cedar fence or a pressure-treated deck that looked warm and golden when it was built turns gray, then grows the green algae and black mildew that make it slick and uninviting. The same damp air that keeps everything green here is feeding the wood, season after season.
The mistake most people make is renting a pressure washer and gouging the soft grain, leaving fuzzy wood and wand marks that show forever. Wood should be soft washed, with a cleaning solution that kills the algae and mildew and lifts the gray, then a gentle rinse. The grain comes back without the damage.
Deck or fence gone gray and slick? We clean it safely, no gouging.
Why Pressure Wrecks Wood
A narrow pressure tip held too close to a board carves the soft early-growth wood out from between the harder grain, leaving a furry, uneven surface that drinks up stain unevenly. On a Baldwin County deck that is already weathered, that damage is permanent. Soft washing skips the force entirely.
Cleaning Before You Stain or Seal
If you plan to stain or seal, cleaning first is not optional. Stain laid over algae and gray oxidation peels within a season. A proper soft wash gives you a clean, sound surface so the new finish actually bonds and lasts.
- Safe on cedar, pressure-treated pine, composite, and painted wood.
- Kills the algae and mildew at the root so it stays clean longer.
- Brightens the gray back toward the natural tone before you stain.
- No wand marks, no furring, no gouged grain.
Serving the Eastern Shore, the Gulf Coast, and all of Baldwin County.
What It Costs
Fence and deck cleaning is priced by size and how much buildup has set in. We quote the whole job up front, and if you are cleaning to stain, we can talk through timing so the wood is dry and ready when the finish goes on.
Get a free fence or deck cleaning quote, (251) 978-5503.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why not just use a pressure washer on my deck?
High pressure carves out the soft grain on wood, leaving a furry, gouged surface and permanent wand marks. Wood should be soft washed with a cleaning solution and low pressure, which lifts the gray and mildew without the damage.
Do I need to clean before staining?
Yes. Stain or sealer laid over algae and gray oxidation peels within a season. A proper soft wash gives you a clean, sound surface so the new finish bonds and lasts.
Is soft washing safe for my plants?
Yes. We pre-wet and protect landscaping around the fence or deck and rinse thoroughly, since runoff is part of the job near planted areas.
How long will it stay clean?
Because soft washing kills the algae and mildew at the root rather than just rinsing the surface, a cleaned fence or deck in Baldwin County stays clean far longer than one that was only pressure rinsed.
What areas do you serve?
Baldwin Preaux Wash serves the Eastern Shore, the Gulf Coast, and the rest of Baldwin County, plus Mobile. Call (251) 978-5503 for a free quote.