Fence & Deck Cleaning in Northwest Arkansas
Wood outdoors in Arkansas doesn't stay pretty on its own. UV turns cedar and pine gray, humidity grows green algae on shaded pickets, and mildew creeps across deck boards that don't get afternoon sun. Southern Exterior washes fences and decks across Northwest Arkansas with wood-safe methods that lift the gray and kill the green — without the fuzzy, splintered surface that high pressure leaves behind.
Pricing is simple: fences are quoted by the linear foot and decks by the square foot, so once we know your measurements and how weathered the wood is, we can hand you a flat number. No mystery math, and quotes are free.
We clean wood, composite, and vinyl fencing and decking throughout Bentonville, Rogers, Bella Vista, Fayetteville, Springdale, and surrounding NWA towns. Locally owned, fully insured, 5.0 stars on Google.
- Fully Insured
- Locally Owned
- 5-Star Rated
Our Fence and Deck Washing Process
Wood gets treated with respect, which mostly means chemistry over pressure. We apply a cleaning solution that breaks down gray oxidized wood fibers, algae, and mildew, let it dwell, then rinse at low, controlled pressure with wide fan patterns. The goal is to wash the grime off the wood, not carve the soft grain out from between the growth rings.
We work in manageable sections and keep the whole section wet while we clean it — letting cleaner dry mid-panel is how you get lap marks on a fence. Around the work area we pre-rinse grass and plantings, and we rinse them again when we're done. Composite and vinyl get their own approach: they don't gray like wood, but they do grow surface mold in NWA shade, and it wipes out beautifully with the right detergent and gentle rinsing.
When we finish, the wood needs a couple of dry days before any staining or sealing — and freshly cleaned wood is exactly when stain penetrates best.
Why High Pressure Ruins Wood
A pressure wand run close over deck boards shreds the soft springwood between the grain lines. The result is a surface that looks striped and feels fuzzy — raised splinters that catch bare feet and soak up water. Once wood is furred like that, only sanding fixes it.
You can spot pressure-damaged decks all over NWA: washboard texture, wand swirls, gouged edges. Our low-pressure, detergent-first method gets the same wood cleaner without any of that. The difference isn't effort; it's knowing that on wood, the pressure washer is a rinsing tool, not a cleaning tool.
Clean Wood Lasts Longer
Algae and mildew hold moisture against wood, and constantly damp wood rots. That's the practical reason to wash a fence, beyond the obvious cosmetic one. A cleaned fence dries out between rains the way it's supposed to, and posts, rails, and pickets last longer for it.
Cleaning is also step one of refinishing. Stain and sealer applied over gray, dirty wood peels early because it never bonded to sound fibers. If you're planning to restain a fence or deck this year, washing it first isn't optional — it's the prep that makes the finish last. Many of our customers schedule a wash specifically ahead of their staining weekend.
For decks especially, there's a safety angle: mildew on smooth deck boards is slick when wet, the same film that makes shaded sidewalks slippery. Clean boards grip.
Fencing and Decking Materials We Handle
Cedar and pressure-treated pine make up most NWA fences, and both respond well to our process — cedar especially comes back with real color after the gray lifts. Composite decking (Trex and similar) grows surface mold in the texture and cleans up with low pressure and detergent per manufacturer guidance. Vinyl fencing washes bright white again. We also clean wrought iron and aluminum fencing as part of larger jobs.
If a fence has failed boards, popped nails, or rot, we'll point it out during the walkaround rather than wash around a problem you can't see from the house.
What Customers Say
“Great service and easy to work with. Cleaned my porch, fence, and siding. Will be booking them again.”
“Best pressure washing job I've ever received! Will definitely use Southern again 10/10 recommend”
“Very impressed how professional the service was, and due to the weather some times had to change, but yet the communication was spot on. Highly recommend!”
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does fence or deck cleaning cost?
Fences are quoted by the linear foot and decks by the square foot, with the condition of the wood factored in. Measure your fence line or deck and send us the numbers — or just send the address — and we'll get you a flat quote, free.
Will washing damage or splinter my wood?
Not the way we do it. We let detergents do the cleaning and rinse at low pressure with wide fan tips, so the soft grain stays intact. The splintered, fuzzy texture you see on some decks comes from high-pressure wand work, which we don't do on wood.
Can you clean my fence before I stain it?
Yes — and you should. Stain bonds far better to clean, bright wood than to gray, mildewed wood. Wash first, let it dry for two or three days, then stain. We can time the wash around your staining plans.
Is it safe for my grass and flower beds along the fence?
Yes. We pre-rinse vegetation along the fence line before applying cleaner and rinse it again afterward, which keeps the solution diluted to harmless levels. Keep pets inside while we're working and everything's fine once we've rinsed.
How long does it take, and how long until I can use the deck?
Most fences and decks take one to three hours depending on size. You can walk on the deck as soon as we're done; give wood a couple of dry days before staining or putting rugs and furniture back on it.
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