How to Clean a Pergola

Does your pergola need a spot on your spring cleaning regime? That’s what we’re answering today! Pergolas are great accessories for any backyard, but it can be challenging to know how to clean a pergola properly and get it ready for spring and summer. In today’s article, we are going to walk you through all our pergola maintenance tips so you know how to clean a pergola safely.

At The Backyard Showcase, we have years of experience crafting cedar, vinyl, and wood pergolas for families to enjoy all summer long. That is why we can safely say that we are experts in how to clean a pergola. Below, we are going to discuss pergola maintenance tips for wood, vinyl, and cedar pergolas.

Need-to-Know Pergola Maintenance Tips

pergola maintenance

An outdoor pergola, because of its tall frame and size, can seem intimidating to clean. However, with the pergola maintenance tips we are going to share for wood, vinyl, and cedar pergolas, we hope to show you that cleaning a pergola doesn’t have to take a lot of time and energy.

Wood Pergola Maintenance Tips

Many people shy away from wood pergolas because they are worried about the time and effort they have to put in to caring for an outdoor wood structure. However, re-staining the wood every three years is the only required maintenance wood pergolas have. This is accompanied by a light sanding of your wood pergola and then an application of the wood stain.

Before you get your wooden pergola re-stained, we suggest washing your pergola gently with a damp washcloth or a bristle brush. An outdoor hose can also be used to spray down the surface lightly. A power washer will strip down the natural goodness in your wood, so we advise against that. For tougher stains from mildew or untouched dirt, we suggest concocting a mixture of vinegar, oxygen bleach, and a gallon of water. Apply it to the stains and leave it on for five minutes before gently using a bristle brush to scrub off the stains. Other than getting your wood pergola stained every three years, most wood pergolas can be maintained by washing them regularly with warm water.

Shop Wood Pergolas

Vinyl Pergola Maintenance Tips

Vinyl pergolas are especially popular because of their lack of maintenance needs. Unlike with cedar and wood pergolas, you won’t have to re-stain vinyl pergolas every couple of years. For most of the wear and tear that vinyl pergolas endure, we suggest cleaning your pergola with warm water, a washcloth, and some old-fashioned elbow grease. If you have especially troublesome stains, using dish soap can help. When spraying down the pergola, only use a garden or outdoor hose. Power washing your vinyl pergola can cause damage to the paint and structure. However, feel free to use your garden or outdoor hose on max volume.

Shop Vinyl Pergolas

Cedar Pergola Maintenance Tips

Our cedar pergolas are built to age gracefully. For how to clean a cedar pergola, we advise using a mildly damp cloth, water, or a garden hose. Make sure to shy away from power washing cedar pergolas as well. The red cedar wood that our cedar pergolas are built with contains naturally oily fibers that act as natural preservatives to keep the wood from rotting and decaying.

We do advise finishing and staining your cedar pergola, though many of our clients opt not to and achieve a cedar pergola that turns gray over time. By not applying treated sealant every three years, this will happen to your cedar pergola. A mixture of oxygen bleach, a cup of vinegar, and plain water can be applied to stains after an initial hosing down of your pergola. Leave the mixture on for five minutes then begin to scrub at the stained surface with a bristle brush gently. Overall, cedar pergola maintenance is best obtained by washing regularly with warm water and re-staining the cedar every three years.

Shop Cedar Pergolas


Contact Us to Build Your Pergola Today!

Now you know how to clean a pergola, and if you’re still shopping, you’re in the right place. At The Backyard Showcase, we pride ourselves on creating vinyl, cedar, and wood pergolas that don’t require much maintenance or upkeep. Adding a pergola to your property will not only increase the value of your home, but it is also an effective way for your family to enjoy the outdoors on hot days. We hope that these pergola maintenance tips can help you keep your pergola looking its very best all summer long! And if you are looking for the ultimate place to entertain guests this summer, reach out today to get a free quote on any of our cedar, vinyl, or wood pergolas!

Share This Post: