Cleaning Exterior Surfaces with Oxy-Boost Oxygen Bleach

Exterior Surface Cleaning

Get rid of mold, mildew and organic stains from siding, wood shingles, roofing and exterior surfaces with OXY-BOOST oxygen bleach destainer/deodorizer.

Also Cleans and Brightens Wood Decks

• Roof Cleaning With Oxy-Boost Oxygen Bleach

Recent Testimonial from a Satisfied Customer:

"Last month I ordered the Oxy-Boost and NuKlear deck sealer. I was a bit skeptical about the cleaning power of the Oxy-Boost. That is until this evening. I started cleaning my deck. Wow what a difference. The deck is 3 years old, the wood had turned grey. The Oxy-Boost removed the grey and the wood that I cleaned looks brand new. I'm totally impressed. Regards, Paul"

• What Is Mildew?

• How To Test For Mold and Mildew

• Other Common Exterior Stains

• Traditional Methods For Mildew Removal vs.
Using Oxy-Boost Oxygen Bleach

• How Much Oxy-Boost Should I Use?

• Instructions for Use

• What Is The Best Way To Protect
Exterior Surfaces After Cleaning?

• What Kind Of Exterior Protectant Do You Recommend?

• Roof Cleaning With OXY-BOOST

• A Word On Pressure Washer Use

• Articles

• What Is Oxy-Boost?

• Oxy-Cling For Vertical Surfaces

• How To Get Oxy-Boost
and Oxy-Cling

What Is Mildew?
Mildew is a living organism, a fungus, which is normally observed as a black or dull gray deposit on exterior and interior surfaces. Mildew does not grow directly on a surface but on the accumulation of dust and other organic materials that settle on it. In addition to a food source, warmth, moisture, and a shady location all encourage the growth of mildew. The most common types of mildew are black or gray but some are green or even red in color. Mildew is a surface problem that can occur on siding, shingles, decks, patios, roofing materials, stucco, driveways and even concrete. Normally it does not affect the strength or other important properties of exterior surfaces. It just looks bad.

How To Test For Mildew
Many times mildew looks like dirty spots and is hard to visually identify. An easy way to test to see if it is present is to dab a drop or two of a fresh bleach solution. We would recommend using an oxygen bleach solution (1 tsp. dissolved in a pint of hot water) or 3% hydrogen peroxide, but you can use chlorine bleach as well). Mildew will usually bleach out in a minute ot two. Dark areas that do not bleach are probably dirt.

Other Common Exterior Stains
These can generally include tannins from leaves, algae, mold, animal and bird droppings, organic matter, food, grease and oil.

Traditional Methods For Removing Exterior Organic Stains vs. Using Oxy-Boost Oxygen Bleach
Traditional methods many times involve the use of harsh toxic chemicals and acids like chlorine bleach, TSP (trisodium phosphate) or oxalic acid. Care must be taken not to spill these materials as they can harm you, your pets, plants, clothing or other sensitive materials. Pressure washers are also used because they are fast and can easily reach inaccessible areas like pitched roofs or second floors. However, they can also erode sensitive wood shingles, wood decks or other exterior surfaces.

Oxy-Boost uses the power of oxygen to clean and remove organic stains. It provides a truly safe alternative to traditional exterior cleaning methods as it will oxidize and get rid of any organic stain but not harm plants or animals in any way.

How Much Oxy-Boost Should I Use?
A pound of Oxy-Boost will clean 100 to 200 square feet of surface. Factors affecting coverage are temperature, substrate, surface porosity, degree and type of stain. For example: leaf tannin stains are normally very easy to clean but mildew imbedded into roofing shingles may require one or two applications to get rid of.

Instructions for Use

Remove any loose soil or dirt if possible.
Wet the surface with water.
Prepare cleaning solution by dissolving 6-8 ounces of Oxy-Boost per gallon of hot water*.
Allow 5 minutes for Oxy-Boost to dissolve and become “cleaning active”.
Apply “cleaning active” solution with a mop, roller, sponge or rag. A pump sprayer or a positive displacement applicator is good for applying solution to vertical or pitched surfaces like stairs, roofs, siding, railings or fences. Note: Pressure washers and garden hose attachment sprayers are not normally recommended as they will tend to over dilute the cleaning solution during use. If you have any questions about application and cleaning methods please contact us.
Any type of scrubbing or other mechanical cleaning action will aid stain removal. We recommend using a stiff bristle brush or broom to help to loosen organic matter from surface. Obviously, this is not always possible.
Wait 15–20 minutes after application then rinse area thoroughly with water.
Repeat as necessary, especially for really heavily stained areas.

Solution can remain “cleaning active” for up to 6 hours but will be most effective when used soon after mixing.

Avoid cleaning in excessive temperatures or in direct sunlight as the cleaning solution will dry out and not remain active.

*Use moderate agitation. Addition of a few drops of dishwashing liquid, TSP substitute (sodium metasilicate - one ounce per 5 gallons of cleaning solution) or other similar detergents will help the cleaning solution wet the surface better.

Do not store in a sealed container as the “cleaning active” solution will give off oxygen and may cause the container to leak.

What Is The Best Way To Protect Exterior Surfaces After Cleaning?
Cleaning exterior surfaces once or twice a year is a good start. Though the best way to protect surfaces like wood decks, wood shingles and roofing is to remove the things that cause the stains or encourage organism growth that is not always possible or practical. Another way to protect these surfaces is to use a paint, stain or sealer. Quality products that contain mildewcides, water repellants and ultra-violet protection provide the best performance.

What Kind Exterior Protectant Do You Recommend?
Natural Choices recommends NuKlear, the world's first water-based sealer/varnish. It is the only ambient-temperature, cross-linking acrylic on the market. It is a formulation of V.O.C. compliant acrylic resins that prevent the damaging effects of water, fungi and UV radiation on exterior surfaces. NuKlear includes a UV-blocker as well as a non-toxic fungicide to keep mildew, and mold from attacking. NuKlear also contains a patented water soluble non-oil based water repellent which will give you years of protection over traditional products, guaranteed! For additional information and to order NuKlear, visit the WonderPaint website.

Roof Cleaning With OXY-BOOST
Roofs can be cleaned using the general procedure described previously. Because of the porosity of some types of shingles (e.g. asphalt) and the fact that it is not always convenient to scrub the shingles, roofs can take longer to clean and may need more than one application especially if the roof is heavily stained.

To retard the growth of algae, moss, mildew, etc. after your roof has been cleaned you can purchase products that contain copper, tin, polymeric coatings, organic herbicides or biostats. These products can be toxic so be careful when using them. Probably the most environmentally safe method is introduction of copper stripping under shingles at the top or apex of the roof. The copper slowly dissolves in rain water and keeps any organic materials from growing.

A Word On Pressure Washer Use
While power washers can make it easier to clean inaccessible and/or pitched areas on roofs care must be taken when using them. Too high of a pressure can damage roof shingles. Also washers that blend water with the cleaning solution can dilute it too much to do any effective cleaning. In general, using a pressure washer to rinse the roof after the cleaning solution has been applied and had a chance to work is the best situation.

Articles:

Cleaning Your Roof!

Removing Moss and Algae From Roofs

Reviews & Ratings For Natural Choices Oxyboost

Reviews & Ratings for Natural Choices Oxy-Boost in Waterproofing

What is OXY-BOOST?
OXY-BOOST is sodium percarbonate, a solid form of hydrogen peroxide bonded with natural soda ash. It is activated by water where it releases oxygen which provides cleaning and stain removal.
OXY-BOOST is the versatile oxygen bleach for those who care about the safety of their family and their planet. It is color safe, fabric safe, user safe, environmentally safe, and it is an excellent deodorizer.
OXY-BOOST attacks and breaks down organic stains to totally remove them from the surface.
OXY-BOOST is non-toxic, performs in hard or soft water, is environmentally safe, produces no harmful by-products upon decomposition and is compatible with other household cleaners (never mix chlorine bleach with any other cleaner).
How To Get Oxy-Boost

Oxy-Cling For Vertical Surfaces
Sometimes longer contact times are needed for cleaning vertical and pitched surfaces like railings, roofs , shingles and siding. Oxy-Cling is a safe acrylic thickener that is used with Oxy-Boost to make the cleaning solution thicker for better cling.

Instructions For Oxy-Cling use:
For normal use add 1/4-1/3 cup or 2-3 ounces of Oxy-Cling per gallon of Oxy-Boost cleaning solution prepared as described previously. Mix well before use to let viscosity develop completely. Apply thickened solution as necessary. Note: Thickened solutions may not apply well with all types of spraying equipment.
How To Purchase Oxy-Cling

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NATURAL CHOICES
9525 South 60th Street, Franklin, WI 53132
Toll Free: 1-866-OXY-BOOST (1-866-699-2667) or 414-421-9394
Fax: 414-421-9903 • Email: info@oxyboost.com
Copyright 2007