Keeping your vinyl siding clean helps prevent mold, mildew and other damage and enhances the curb appeal of your home. Finding the right cleaners can be tricky, especially if you want to avoid products that might harm the plants surrounding your home’s exterior.
Fortunately, there are many cleaning solutions that will effectively clean your vinyl siding without negatively impacting the flora around your house. The key is using the right tools and working in small sections. Contact Vinyl Siding Cleaner for professional help.
When it comes to cleaning vinyl siding, starting at the top is important. This will help to prevent water from flowing behind the siding and causing damage, and it will also allow dirt and mildew to wash away as it is rinsed from the surface of the house.
Mildew and other stains can occur on vinyl siding due to a variety of factors, including shaded areas, leaky gutters or wet tree branches. While a simple hose attachment can clean most of the dirt and mildew on a small section, a brush, cloth or broom with a longer handle may be needed for higher sections.
A general household cleaner like vinegar or oxygen bleach, or even a solution of three parts water and one part white or clear bleach, may remove light mold and mildew stains. If a more powerful cleaner is needed, a diluted solution of trisodium phosphate (TSP) should be used and mixed according to the instructions on the bottle. TSP is a safe, effective and inexpensive option for removing mildew and other stains from vinyl siding.
Before using a vinyl siding cleaner, make sure the area around the house is clear and free of plants, furniture or other items that could be damaged by spraying water or cleaning solutions. It’s also a good idea to cover the ground with plastic sheeting or tarps to shield plants and other outdoor items from cleaning chemicals.
When you are ready to start cleaning, attach a black low-pressure detergent nozzle to the hose and start at the top of your house. Use a ladder if necessary and be sure to wear eye protection to avoid splashes and spills of the cleaning solution. Keep the hose nozzle at least 3 to 4 feet away from the surface of the house when spraying, as high pressure can cause damage.
Avoid Acid-Based Cleaners
Many cleaning solutions are powerful enough to do the job but can cause damage to your house or plant life when they run off down the drain or splash into the yard. The harsh chemicals can contaminate the water supply or create a danger to insects and animals that live in the soil. When these cleaners splash onto plants, they can also damage the leaves, stems, and roots.
When it comes to choosing a vinyl siding cleaner, the best options are those that contain natural ingredients and are non-toxic and biodegradable. Products such as Oil Eater Cleaner & Degreaser contain a formula that is gentle on vinyl and other materials, but still effective for cleaning mildew, mold, grime, and dirt buildup.
Another option is a vinyl siding cleaner that contains 5% sodium hypochlorite (bleach). This can safely clean mold and mildew from the surface of your siding, but it may not be strong enough to remove heavy stains or oxidation.
Lastly, there are a few cleaning products that can be used with a garden hose to help you reach those hard-to-reach places on your house without having to climb a ladder. These include spray bottles with hose attachments that can be controlled by the end of a nozzle and propel the mixed solution from a distance. Often, this can allow you to clean a two-story building’s exterior without ever having to touch the ladder. However, it’s important to read the label carefully to ensure that you are using a safe product. Most hose-end spray bottle cleaning solutions contain ingredients that can damage your vinyl siding if not used correctly. This is especially true if the cleaning solution contains liquid grease remover, furniture polish or cleaners, or undiluted chlorine bleach.
Make a Solution of Water & Vinegar
Many cleaning solutions are available that are safe to apply directly to vinyl siding. They can usually be purchased at hardware stores or home improvement centers. The products work by combining water and chemicals in a spray bottle with a hose attachment. The homeowner then controls the mixed flow of the two through a special nozzle on the spray bottle. This allows the user to reach areas on the side of a house that are inaccessible to ladders, without having to worry about chipping paint or causing other damage.
Vinegar, for example, is one of the most common and effective vinyl siding cleaners. It has a natural acetic acid action that can dissolve dirt, soap scum, and hard water stains from the surface of vinyl. The acidity also helps to break down mildew and mold build-up, which can cause black spots on vinyl. The mixture can be applied to the surface of the vinyl, using a soft-bristled brush and a garden hose on a low setting to avoid over-doing it.
The same type of solution can be used for concrete, stucco, terra-cotta roof tiles, and painted wood trim. This type of cleaner is available at some hardware and home improvement stores, as well as online. It typically requires no scrubbing and produces no harsh chemical fumes, making it an environmentally friendly option for most homeowners.
If the mildew build-up is extensive, it may be necessary to use a stronger cleaning product. Zinsser Jomax House Cleaner and Mildew Killer is a good choice, as it has the power to remove even heavy mildew build-up without much scrubbing. The product is also safe for landscaping plants and animals, as it does not contain any bleach or other harsh chemicals.
Use a Soft-Bristled Brush
A clean exterior boosts curb appeal and maintains a property’s value. Regular cleaning can also prevent mold and mildew growth, which can cause health hazards and structural damage to a home. Fortunately, vinyl siding is easy to keep looking like new with the right supplies and techniques.
The main item you’ll need to purchase is a long-handled brush that’s designed for use with vinyl cleaner. These brushes look similar to a push broom and will make it much easier for you to reach high areas of your house. They can be purchased at most hardware stores and some general stores. If you’re not comfortable working at heights, consider hiring a professional to handle the job for you.
Once you have your brush and cleaning solution, prepare to get to work. You may want to start at the bottom of your home and work your way up, rinsing each section thoroughly before moving on. If your vinyl siding is textured, you’ll want to use a soft bristled brush so that you can preserve the grooves and textures without damaging the surface.
Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using your vinyl siding cleaner. For example, some cleaners may require you to mix them with water. This is important to prevent the buildup of harmful chemicals in your gutter system, which can lead to water stains and damage to your vinyl siding. It’s also wise to wear rubber gloves and a face mask when handling the chemicals. You should also remove any plants or outdoor furniture near your vinyl siding to avoid harming them with runoff from the cleaning solution. Lastly, you’ll need to have a basin and a hose on hand to rinse away any cleaning solutions or debris.
Don’t Overdo It
You can get a lot of dirt and grime off of vinyl siding with a bit of elbow grease and some basic household cleaning products. However, some stains and build-up are tougher than others and require a more robust solution to eliminate. Luckily, there are plenty of effective and safe vinyl cleaners on the market that can do the trick.
It’s important to follow the specific dilution guidelines for whatever cleaner you choose in order to avoid damage or discoloration to your vinyl siding. Avoid using high amounts of heat, either from steam pressure washers or the sun’s rays, as these can warp or crack your vinyl siding. Also, avoid harsh cleansers such as acetone, paint thinner, nail polish remover, spot removers, or chlorine bleach that can cause permanent damage.
Bleach can be an option if you want to kill off mold and mildew, but it is best used diluted with water. It can harm any plants in your yard and can also be dangerous for children or pets if it splashes them, so you should take care to stand back and keep the area clear of anything you don’t want affected by runoff.
Washing vinyl siding is a big job that can take a good chunk of time to complete. You should try to limit the amount of times you have to do it each year and only if there is visible build-up that needs to be removed.
If you don’t have the time or desire to tackle the project yourself, reach out to a local professional to see what options they offer for power washing and cleaning of vinyl siding. It isn’t the cheapest route, but they can typically provide faster and better results than you could hope to achieve on your own.
