Vinyl siding is cost effective for many homeowners; however, it can attract mold and mildew. Find out the best way to clean your vinyl siding by hand or using a pressure washer.
Vinyl Siding Cleaning Solution
You can make a vinyl siding cleaning solution using commonly found household products. Select a bleach or a vinegar solution depending on your preference.
To mix a bleach cleaning solution for vinyl siding, combine one quart of bleach with one gallon of water. Bleach restores brightness and is excellent at removing mold and mildew, but some people find bleach fumes to be harsh.
Vinegar is non-toxic and natural, although slightly less effective than bleach at removing mold and mildew. For a vinegar solution, combine three parts of vinegar with seven parts water (so 300 mL of vinegar to 700 mL of water, for example).
How to Clean Vinyl Siding By Hand
Find a soft bristle scrub brush or cleaning rag; you want to remove grime without cracking the siding.
It may sound counterintuitive, but start at the bottom and work your way up. First test that your cleaning solution won’t discolor the vinyl by applying a small amount to an out-of-the-way area. Once you are sure the color won’t run, work your way from the bottom to the top along a five-foot section of the house. Once that area’s clear, move over and repeat the process anew.
Cleaning siding by hand is very time-consuming, but if you only have a small area that needs cleaning this may work for you.
How to Clean Vinyl Siding By Pressure Washer
Make sure that your pressure washer is suitable for use with vinyl siding as some can be too rough. Check whether you can use a cleaning solution with a pressure washer or if you should clean with only water; in the latter instance, high pressure removes grime.
Before you begin, test the best distance to stand so the siding is hit with the right amount of water; if the pressure is too intense, it can force water behind the siding, which leads to mold problems. Again, work from the bottom up in small sections.
Vinyl siding that’s very dirty or cracked may be beyond a cleaning. In this case, your best bet is to replace the worn-out siding. Brandstetter’s KangaRoof offers siding replacement services in Cincinnati. Get an estimate now.
