How to clean a pergola

Pergolas are the ideal place to relax outside, whether it be just to read your favourite book with a cup of coffee or to entertain friends on the weekend. They’re a brilliant way to increase the value of your property. 

What is a Pergola?

A pergola is a structure in a garden, backyard or park consisting of a (commonly wood) framework. Pergolas were originally designed to support climbing or trailing plants with its rafters and wooden beams. Usually freestanding and decorative in nature, they can also be attached to the house. Pergolas can provide a relaxing, shaded and cozy outdoor area to your home. There are plenty of pergola ideas and top tips to give your backyard a makeover.

Pergola designs can come in a variety of shapes, including circular, square, rectangular, hexagonal or octagonal.

What are the types of Pergolas?

Open Pergola 

Open top pergolas do not have a roof, and are usually used to improve the appearance of an outdoor space or provide structure to decorative features such as lights.

Flat Pergolas 

As the name suggests, flat roof pergolas are not as pitched as a gable pergola, but are still slightly angled to encourage enough drainage so they don’t cause problems when it rains. 

Gable Pergola 

Gable pergolas have a peaked roof, forming the space of a triangle. They allow for plenty of airflow and water to rumm off the roof, so they are a great option for location with high levels of rainfall. 

Sail Pergola

Sail pergola are used to create shade in the yard, by stretching out fabric sails between the posts. They are perfect for a more casual design style. They come with retractable canopies, some of them have pretty climbing vines overtop. These multifunctional structures can even serve as a roof for your walkway or porch.

Another factor that is considered when constructing pergolas is if the structure will be attached to the house or be a free standing structure. 

How to clean a Pergola?

It is best to use a hose to clean the pergola regularly. Using a high-pressure hose can quickly help clear our dirt and grime from it. Some soil that might stick to the surface would be quickly dislodged by the high pressure. The pressure can easily be changed depending on the material of the pergola that you have installed.

A pro tip is to remove the furniture under the pergola. You don’t want to get all your furniture wet do you? Start hosing in a downward path, starting at the top and moving down, pretty much like washing a car.

What detergents and cleansers to use for Pergolas?

Simply buy a pergola cleaning kit if you are confused about which detergent or cleanser you can use to clean your pergola. From a cleanser to brushes of varying types, the package will include everything. 

Using a cleanser that can be used with a brush with bristles that are tough enough to get the grime out! In order to get sticky stains out you may need an old toothbrush. Gently remove them if you spot splinters of wood or paint that appear to be peeling off. 

It is best to use a bristle brush to remove rust that could be sticking to the surface if your pergola is made of metal or vinyl. Most vinyl surfaces can react well to standard cleansers, so you won't have to invest in a costly can.

How to remove stains and mildew from your Pergola?

You can make your pergola look old and unkempt with mildew, mould and stains. Any fasteners used on the pergola may lead to the staining as well. It will leave black or brown stains on your wood if your pergola has corrosive fasteners. Daily clean-ups will ensure that these stains are addressed during the year and that your pergola looks elegant. 

To clear stains and mildew, mix a cup of vinegar, oxygen bleach with a gallon of plain water and spray it on the stains shortly after hosing down your pergola. Keep it on for a few minutes and wipe the stains off softly with a brush. After you see the colours starting to lighten, add some soap and use a hose to wipe off the solvent.

How to take care of damage to your Pergola?

Look out for cuts and dings soon after rinsing your pergola clean. To refinish the area, add wood or metal putty. To repaint the damaged areas, you can also use a touch up kit. 

The majority of vinyl pergolas come with repair kits designed to help you cope with minor damage. These DIY kits have detailed, easy to follow instructions! 

Remove them right away if you notice stains forming due to the fasteners on your pergola. Choose fasteners made of stainless steel or aluminium that do not react with your pergola content. 

These fasteners are slightly more costly than their less expensive counterparts, but they can hold stains at bay. This will keep the pergola nice and tidy. It would also lessen the maintenance burden. 

Make sure you tighten all the fasteners as a part of routine maintenance. Do not put off any maintenance and quickly fix damaged pieces. This will insure that your pergola stays new and clean, for a long time to come.

Aussies love spending time outdoors. If you want to maximise the enjoyment of your space, there are a multitude of pergola ideas to choose from. However, if you don’t want to or don’t have the time to clean your pergola, you can always hire a professional cleaner to clean it for you.

We provide thousands of Service.com.au users with various businesses everyday, ranging from interior design to carpenters and cleaners. Simply search for tradesmen in your area and select the business that suits your needs. 

Either call them directly for a free quote, post your own job to receive multiple quotes from your local tradesperson or simply call our office directly, and our friendly staff will be more than happy to help select the perfect business to suit your needs.

If you're needing help finding a carpenter or cleaner for your latest pergola build, click the link below to receive multiple quotes from professional cleaners. Go on, you know you want to.