QA

Quick Answer: How To Clean A Log Home Exterior

You’ll get best results if you use a non-toxic exterior cleaning product designed to be applied and then washed off. Scrub the surface with a soft car wash brush with a long handle. Rinse thoroughly with clear water after washing and scrubbing, then let the walls dry for two warm days before examining the surface.

How do you clean logs on a log home?

Simply sponge on Murphy Oil Soap, scrub and wipe the log cabin wall down. No rinsing required. On the other hand, soap and water might be enough to get the job done. A spray bottle makes application even neater.

Can I power wash my log home?

Pressure washing can be perfectly safe for your log home so long as you use the right technique. Always keep the wand moving, especially at higher psi settings, and use a wide fan setting. Holding the stream in the same place for too long or standing too close could damage the wood.

Can I use bleach to clean my log home?

Bleach shouldn’t take the place of a log-wash (which cleans but does not brighten) to remove stains or dirt, but when combined with 1-part bleach and 4-parts water, it will work well to brighten your logs and kill any harbored mold or mildew.

How do you remove old stains from a log home?

In most cases, media blasting is the best way to remove stain quickly and easily. Over the years, log refinishing and refurbishing companies have experimented with a variety of media: sand, corncob grit, glass pellets, walnut shells — even baking soda and dry ice.

Why is my log home so dusty?

One of the major issues with the log homes is that they accumulate a lot of dust. The crevices between the wood logs are a natural dust trap. You can prevent it by applying an appropriate finish. Stain the logs and then use a sealer on both the inside and outside.

How do you clean old wooden logs?

We recommend cleaning logs with a combination of water and a wood-friendly detergent, i.e. TSP (Trisodium Phosphate Cleaner). We want to stress that we DO NOT recommend power-washing logs to clean them. Applying water under high pressure can be detrimental to the “health” of a log building.

What maintenance does a log home require?

Maintaining a log home should be a bi-annual activity, specifically during spring and fall. Regular maintenance of your log cabin reduces the damage from UV, water, insects, and air infiltration.

How do you disinfect logs?

A general dusting may work, but to actually clean the logs, a sponge saturated with a bleach and water combination may be used.Cleaning Apply cleaning agent from the ground and work up. This will avoid streaking of the logs. Allow to stand for 10-15 minutes before power washing. Rinse thoroughly.

Can you soft wash a log cabin?

We have seen the damage high pressure cleaning has caused to window screens, siding, decks and log cabins. Using properly developed, eco friendly soaps and rinsing agents, soft washing completely disinfects and loosens those unsightly stains, while clean water rinses them away completely.

How do you deep clean a log cabin?

Deep Cleaning To remove smoke residue, grease, dirt and grime, wash your walls down with hot, soapy water, a commercial cleanser, or a mixture of 1 cup water, 1/4 cup vinegar, 1/2 cup mineral oil (do not use vegetable, olive or any other oil) and 20 drops lemon oil.

How do you remove mold from logs?

Mix a solution of 1 part household bleach with 4 parts water and 1/2 cup biodegradable dishwasher soap. Scrub the logs with the solution and a stiff brush. Apply generously. Scrub from the bottom of the foundation and work up to the top.

How do you prepare a log home for staining?

How Do I Prepare My House For Staining? First, clean the wood thoroughly by using water to remove any dirt or mill glaze. After wetting the entire surface, use a solution of 2 oz. Next, let the TSP bleach/water solution sit on the wood for approximately 10-15 minutes, depending upon the severity of the discoloration.

How often should a log home be stained?

As a general rule, you will need to stain your log home every 3 to 7 years, depending on the elements. Elemental factors include exposure to rain, sunlight, hail, wind, climate, and more.

How do you remove water stains from log walls?

To do this, put on protective gloves and eyewear then fill a cup with bleach. “Paint” the affected area with the brush. Allow the wood to dry thoroughly. Repeat any steps as necessary to get rid of remaining traces of water stains.

Can you lighten the stain on a log cabin?

So if you were to put a solid-color stain on those logs, you could definitely lighten it up. Just pick up some solid-color stain, any color you want. Apply it to the logs and you could definitely lighten up the look.

How do you clean rough wooden surfaces?

How to Clean Rustic Natural Wood Run a soft, dry microfiber cloth over the wood surface to remove any loose dirt or dust. Fill a bucket with 1 gallon of warm water and add 1 teaspoon of mild liquid soap. Rinse the cloth or sponge with plain water and wring it out. Dry the wood thoroughly with a towel.

Do log cabins cause allergies?

Studies have found over fifty percent of homes have above six allergens that trigger symptoms of allergy. Log homes are affected by these allergens too, as they are usually air-borne and can be found on the wooden floor, furniture and surfaces of the house.

How do you use log wash?

-As a maintenance cleaner for finished wood: Add one (1) cup of Log Wash to one (1) gallon of water and mix thoroughly. To avoid harming finish, never add more than one cup per gallon of water. For wetting and rinsing, use a mist setting on your garden hose nozzle to avoid harming your finishes.