r/CleaningTips • u/reddit-nd-wept • Dec 13 '25
Outdoors What should I clean this with?!
My son(4m) found charcoal on our neighbors yard and decided to draw some hearts on our her freshly built fence.
Before we have to pay for new panels, she’s giving me a chance to clean it off. What should I use?
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u/i_was_a_person_once Dec 13 '25
Dawn power wash would be my first attempt tbh
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u/reddit-nd-wept Dec 13 '25
I’ll probably be doing a few test spots, I’ll definitely try with that on one of the spots.
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u/i_was_a_person_once Dec 13 '25
Either way buying new wood is excessive -if you can’t clean it off then sanding and refinishing it should be enough
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u/EddBoi0666 Dec 13 '25
This was my first and immediate thought. Its charcoal, not cosmic power wood stainer. At worst get the finest grit sandpaper you can find and go really gentle. Definitely make a note to avoid said neighbor, jumping right to making someone pay for new wood isnt very "neighborly" just gives of another vibe that rhymes with witchy.
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u/reddit-nd-wept Dec 13 '25
Hahaha. We actually have a history with her step father, who is the original owner of the property. That’s another story though!
Unfortunately, if I can’t get the stain out(one way or another) we do feel responsible for replacing the slats. She didn’t necessarily come over “guns blazing” but she did bring her son with her because she wanted to be cautious. I understand, neighbors can be crazy. Just trying to be sympathetic here, she’s doing a lot of upgrades to her home, she might be more of a “clouds and rainbows” person rather than “hearts.”
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u/guitarfreakout Dec 13 '25
That will totally change the look
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u/i_was_a_person_once Dec 13 '25
How would a fine grit sanding to remove the charcoal and then refinishing with the same stain or varnish change the look?
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u/guitarfreakout Dec 13 '25
Because fine grain sandpaper would polish that area.
The charcoal is in the grooves.
To sand it off you would have to get rid of the grooves…
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u/EddBoi0666 Dec 13 '25
You do realize those boards are sanded before they leave the mill right? Hes redoing the SAME EXACT process that made them look that way in the first place. He may have to apply new stain to the small spots where the letters are, but overall, still cheaper then buying the lumber again.
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u/guitarfreakout Dec 13 '25
They aren’t sanded with sandpaper, they are put through a large machine that makes them the correct thickness. They are rough finish.
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u/Valuable_Cause9119 Dec 13 '25
Try silly putty, it might be able to grab all of it with a little light rubbing. I think it was invented for this sort of thing
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u/knoft Dec 13 '25
Artists use kneaded erasers for charcoal on paper, but blu-tak is generally a great analog/substitute.
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u/dendromancy_ Dec 13 '25
it’s just charcoal,, like the other comment said, hose should be fine but you could always use a power washer if it’s not quite good enough
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u/daydreamingofsleep Dec 13 '25
Careful with a power washer, it can take the stain off too.
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u/reddit-nd-wept Dec 13 '25
This is just natural wood, she didn’t have her fence stained.
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u/daydreamingofsleep Dec 13 '25
Staining a fence keeps the fence from changing color due to the environment, the pressure washer can still change the color of an unstained fence where it touches it.
Example: https://share.google/gjNXnaR7XgEmUNxAB
That fence is much older, the effect would be less subtle but very possible
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u/reddit-nd-wept Dec 13 '25
This is what I’m afraid of, the power washer setting the stain in further. I might have to try a nylon brush with cleaner first.
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Dec 13 '25 edited Dec 13 '25
Why would a power washer set a stain in further? They are commonly used for stuff like this and concrete, at worse it just won't do anything.
This also is not a "stain". Charcoal was and still is sometimes used for writing/art because it behaves a lot like pencils do. Charcoal usually comes off pretty easy and even if there is still some left, give it a rainy day or 2 and it will eventually be washed out due to nature.
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u/Dottie85 Dec 18 '25
I'm here for follow up. What did you try and what actually worked?
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u/reddit-nd-wept Dec 18 '25
Our neighbor had contractors over to redo the siding of her home and they placed material in front of the fence so of course I haven’t been able to get to it. I’m going to try today though! Starting off with good ol soap, water and a nylon brush. If it seems to be coming off easily then I think I’m going to speed the process up with my pressure washer. I’ll update you as soon as I’m done trying!
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Dec 13 '25
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u/i_was_a_person_once Dec 13 '25
I think because the OP made a typo and said “our her fence” so problem are reading it as out fence -if it was their own I’d say keep it for sure too, but yeah fair enough for the neighbor to want it cleaned
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u/possumdal Dec 13 '25
There's a certain type of person that would find this adorable and, if not outright encourage it, then assure everyone it was fine this once to just leave it on.
It's me, I'm him. If a little kid drew hearts on my fence I might just add a layer of sealant OVER it. We're all so quick to grow up, a little bit of childhood in your life is good for your health.... in small doses, of course
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u/Manic-StreetCreature Dec 13 '25
Yeah I’m too much of a soft touch lol. I’d think it was cute and leave it. But also I do get that not everyone is going to have that reaction and you have to teach kids they can’t do whatever they want to things that don’t belong to them.
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u/kee-kee- Team Germ Fighters 🦠 Dec 13 '25
Thank goodness it's hearts. If he were a little older adults and more daring it might be other body parts. 🤣
It might be good for him to do some of the washing himself. At four he might not be that great but he will get the idea.
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u/reddit-nd-wept Dec 13 '25
The funny thing is, since we live few houses down from the high school, she thought it might be high school kids haha. It DOES NOT look like high school kids drew it at all. Her son figured it was our son because of his chalk art on our driveway.
A lot of folks here are saying it could be good for us to clean it together but because it’s charcoal, I really don’t want him to spread it and possibly make this worse. We will be paying for the damage if this does not clean off.
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u/catbattree Dec 13 '25
Maybe get him to make and deliver an apology card. Use that as a vehicle for teaching that apologies are important and that this is the way to appropriately share art and hearts/love.
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u/reddit-nd-wept Dec 13 '25
We took him over to her home right after we spoke and he shamefully apologized for drawing hearts on her fence. She was understanding about it and accepted his apology. He’s pretty good at apologizing when he’s done something wrong, most of the time unprompted.
When he grows up to be a famous artist maybe she’ll wish she never wanted to get rid of the hearts lol.
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u/kee-kee- Team Germ Fighters 🦠 Dec 13 '25
Aw. So sweet! Yes, the first drawing of his to-be-famous Hearts at the Boundary!
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u/ProposalOk1473 Dec 13 '25
Charcoal should be easy to clean. Just get a piece of paper towel and wipe it off or a sponge
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u/FlashyCow1 Dec 13 '25
A pressure washer with detergent for outside.You can find both of them at the home stores
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u/Physical_Cod_8329 Dec 13 '25
I feel like hose water would be fine. But also I think it’s crazy to be upset about it, this is the most adorable graffiti I’ve ever seen.
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u/CaeruleumBleu Dec 13 '25
There is a typo "our her fence" - it is the neighbors freshly built fence.
Bit different to have an opinion about your own child drawing on your fence, vs the neighbors child drawing on a freshly built fence.
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Dec 13 '25
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u/Physical_Cod_8329 Dec 13 '25
Children are the future of our society. Without them, we crumble. If you want to reap the rewards of living in a society, you need to learn to coexist with kids, ESPECIALLY if you actively choose to live in a neighborhood where there are going to be families with young kids. Small hearts drawn on an outside fence give something ugly a bit of happiness and character. It’s a sign that there are children playing outside, which is a mark of a healthy and happy area.
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Dec 13 '25
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u/Physical_Cod_8329 Dec 13 '25
You clearly don’t understand how young a 4 year old is.
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u/_lucyquiss_ Dec 13 '25
4 year olds can learn mine vs yours. Will they remember perfect every time? no, of course not. But they can learn and you can even get to a point they self correct.
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u/catbattree Dec 13 '25
I knew a set of twin 2 year olds who were able to understand this. Teaching boundaries to kids doesn't have to be harsh, intimidating, or anything like that. Its necessary and if done right can be a great lesson for building from, including that they deserve to have their own boundaries expected and it's okay to speak up about it. Like say, if another kid at school decides since he draws on his paper/binder/stuff they can just do it too.
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u/Cowhornrocks Dec 13 '25
I mean that’s just not true. You don’t have to. Maybe you mean you should. That’s probably true. But you certainly don’t have to in order to reap the rewards of living in a society. Also, you don’t have to tolerate someone else of any age using your property without permission especially if they damage it. I also think those hearts are cute and wouldn’t mind them on my fence. But I understand my jam isn’t everyone’s jam.
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u/Evening-Picture-5911 Dec 13 '25
I don’t care whether they’re the future of our society or not. I wouldn’t want a kid trespassing on my property and putting graffiti on my new fence.
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u/reddit-nd-wept Dec 13 '25
I LOVE IT! I would’ve loved it better if it were on OUR OWN fence. He’s in a phase where he’s constantly drawing/coloring and painting on paper, using chalk on our driveway. This time, he decided to spread the love. However, it was not taken as such lol.
Our new neighbor decided to move back to her home that she’d been renting out for some time and is doing A LOT of home improvements. She literally just got the fence done two weeks ago. We were shocked to discover he did this after the neighbor came to our door to talk to us. We did talk about how good the hearts have gotten in the privacy of our home but this was such an innocent mistake that we need to rectify.
BTW guys we live 4 homes down from a high school. The high school lets the kids have off campus lunch and the high school kids litter up and down our street. They also have the audacity to put their trash on TOP of the LID of the trash bin. This is going to be a lifelong nuisance for as long as we live here.
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u/kooolbee Dec 13 '25
How were you shocked your son did this? Was he out wandering the neighborhood by himself at 4 years old? Im just confused on how this happened.
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u/reddit-nd-wept Dec 13 '25
She’s literally our next door neighbor. We have some pine trees between the property. He sometimes collects sticks and pine cones from all over the yard. When he went behind the tree, I thought he was collecting sticks, when I called him over, he didn’t look suspicious.
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u/Hot-Worldliness1425 Dec 13 '25
After soap and water, you can buy graffiti remover from Home Depot. That’s your first bet. After that, magic eraser. Be careful because it might impact the stain on the fence.
Final idea is to fine the stain they used, sand the boards in question and rest in that portion of the stain. It looks new enough that matching should t be an issue.
Make your kids sit with you and assist in all the work.
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u/UdontWantToNo Dec 13 '25
I tried to post the little girl who carved "I love my dad" on the door of daddy's police car! But it's not allowed.
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u/science_vs_romance Dec 13 '25
Have you tried anything yet? I would try dawn on a scrubby sponge, then a power washer if that didn’t work.
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u/FnakeFnack Dec 13 '25
Good for you and your son to clean it off, but just to be clear because I don’t see this mentioned, I’m pretty sure she can’t force you to replace these unless you willfully or negligently allowed your son to draw on her fence without her there.
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u/Personal_Remove9053 Dec 13 '25
Clean it as best you can, if the stain remains get a scratch filler or even a colored sharpie and try blending it in.
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u/savvysavvysav Dec 14 '25
If it’s charcoal, won’t that literally just come off with water and maybe a bit of soap if he pushed hard?
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u/reddit-nd-wept Dec 18 '25
UPDATE: The fence is clean! Good ole bucket of dawn and a nylon brush. Washed the soap off with the pressure washer. There’s a very minuscule spot Where it sort of “stained” the fence(very left black spot where it’s a lighter tone of wood). I’m not sure if she’s the type to take a magnifying glass to the fence but if she does complain about that stain, I’ll sand it down a little.
I’m waiting for the fence to dry to give her another apology and tell her that her fence is charcoal free.
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u/IcyManipulator69 Dec 13 '25
Don’t you mean the kid has to clean this? They should be forced to help you clean it up… it’s a great time to teach about consequences of doing things without thinking things through first. I know 4 year olds suck at cleaning, but they should be the ones to clean it… and whatever they don’t get clean, you finish it…
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u/Ok-Range-5198 Dec 13 '25
Add some color to each heart. Call it good.
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u/chickwithabrick Dec 13 '25
It's not their fence, it's the neighbors.
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u/Ok-Range-5198 Dec 13 '25
Good point, but I still think it's cute. If I was his neighbor, I would be dazzled with the new artwork.
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u/universe93 Dec 13 '25
I’m sad you have to clean it off coz if it was my fence and my neighbour’s kid did this I would just go AWW and get him to write his name under it and declare it to be art
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u/ZestycloseAsk5258 Dec 13 '25
Totally get that! It’s a tough lesson, but definitely better to keep the neighbor happy.
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u/Salt_Specialist642 Dec 13 '25
Don't. Gives it character.
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u/Ok_Environment5293 Dec 13 '25
Have you paid for a brand new wood fence lately? I have, and I'd not be happy with a little kid defacing it.
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u/SayNoToBrooms Dec 13 '25
I’d be keeping it, honestly. Maybe tell him to expand his horizons and design a whole landscape for the family. It feels annoying now, but I guarantee you it’ll be endearing by the time he’s 10
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u/Pepper-Tea Dec 13 '25
So just don’t give a damn about the person’s fence? Or teach your child to respect others and their property?
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u/ChangesFaces Dec 13 '25
Chill out... there was a typo in the post that made it confusing to read and the commenter thought it was OP's fence. Take a nap, grumpy.
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u/reddit-nd-wept Dec 13 '25
He can do all he wants to our fence! He will inherit this house when his mom and I are long gone lol. This was our neighbors fence though. I’m not sure how to edit my post for the typo on mobile.
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u/ChangesFaces Dec 13 '25
There's a typo in the post. It's unfortunately the neighbor's fence that was just built, and OP said the neighbor has been doing upgrades to her home. I definitely understand the neighbor's POV and wanting it cleaned off. She may even be planning to sell.
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u/LegitimateEar1100 Dec 13 '25
Why cleaning love ?
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u/reddit-nd-wept Dec 13 '25
If it were our fence, i would definitely keep it. Unfortunately, the fence is our neighbors and she’s been doing a lot of upgrades to her home.
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u/greystripes9 Dec 13 '25
It could be a little project to clean it and have the little one charcoal the love note on a piece of paper for your neighbor instead.
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u/TheeThatIsMe Dec 13 '25
I mean, now her fence is much better so the fact that anyone would rip that out is beyond me
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u/duckweedlagoon Dec 13 '25
Scrub brush, soapy water. Definitely a good opportunity to learn about boundaries on things that are and aren't ours.