Most experts recommend that vinyl siding should be cleaned once or twice a year. Below are some reasons for their recommendations.
How often should I clean vinyl siding? Even if your siding looks as clean as it did the day it was installed, it's best to give it a good wash every couple of years to prevent build-up and keep insects and spiders from building nests or webs in the nooks and crannies.
Today's vinyl siding offers all the appeal of wood siding without the maintenance worries, rotting, splitting, or insect damage. Unlike other exterior cladding, vinyl siding only requires periodic cleaning with mild soap and water from a garden hose.
Vinyl. If your house has vinyl siding, you must be careful when power washing them. The panels can become loose or take damage if the water pressure is too high.
You can also use a germicidal bleach concentrate, which is perhaps the best house wash for vinyl siding. Alternatively, if you'd rather stick with more natural cleaners, a solution of 30% white vinegar and 70% water can be used instead of bleach.
General household cleaners such as Lysol are some of the most effective vinyl siding cleaners. They can used to clean tough stains and dirts including those that are caused by bubble gum, ink, crayon, rust, oil, grease, grass, or even soil.
Wash the Vinyl Siding on Your Home
Create a solution using Dawn and warm water to gently clean siding that's covered in dirt, moss, or mold. Coat the siding with the mixture, let it soak, and then hose it off.
When cleaning your vinyl siding, it is important that you not use any cleaners containing organic solvents, undiluted chlorine bleach, liquid grease remover, nail polish remover, or furniture polish or cleaners. These products can potentially damage the surface of the siding.
Vinyl, Cedar Shake, or Wood Panel Siding
They are easily damaged by high-pressure water. Soft washing, on the other hand, effectively cleans contaminants such as dirt, mold, and mildew from these surfaces. For this reason, it is better to use the soft washing method on vinyl, cedar shake, and wood panel siding.
It is a super effective way to get rid of stains and mold. Pressure washing allows you to get to those hard to reach places. Cons: If pressure washing is done incorrectly, it can cause damage to your home.
Clean Your Siding Regularly
Cleaning your siding every six months to a year will keep it looking newer and lasting longer. The good news is, vinyl is easy to clean with a soft bristle brush and mild soap. Gently scrub the siding, then rinse the area with water from your regular garden hose.
Typically, vinyl siding lasts between 20 and 40 years. This seems like a big window, but its lifespan depends on several variables. The amount of sun your home receives, the weather and other forces can affect how long it lasts.
Pour ⅓ cup of Clorox® Disinfecting Bleach into 1 gallon of water in a plastic bucket or container. Apply bleach solution using a brush or broom on horizontal surfaces, and a sponge or mop on vertical surfaces. Heavily soiled surfaces may require additional scrubbing. Wait 6 minutes for disinfecting.
Older vinyl products might have become brittle over time, resulting in breaks or cracks. Heavy winds or rain may also cause breaks in your vinyl siding. Rocks can also build up against a wall because of lawnmowers or weed-whackers. If your siding has cracked or broken panels, the siding will have to be replaced.
Drawbacks include being easily dented, the difficulty of replacing individual panels, color fading and potential cracking in extremely cold weather. All of these factors must be weighed carefully against the pros and cons of other types of siding when making a decision as important as installing new siding on a home.
Damage. Vinyl siding can be dented somewhat easily by hail, rocks, and any flying objects (weather related or non weather related). Dents and chips can make your home look old and unflattering. If your vinyl siding has collected years of damage and looks unsightly, it may be time for an inspection and replacement.
Some good cleaning solutions include: Mix 70 percent water and 30 percent white vinegar together to make a good all-purpose cleaner that's easy on vinyl. The vinegar can cut through virtually any stain or mark – even light mold and mildew.
Common household ingredients or products such as vinegar, dish soap, and bleach can be used for vinyl siding oxidation removal. To create a vinegar cleaning solution: mix 5 cups of vinegar with 1 gallon of water.
Soft washing is a safe alternative to pressure washing. It uses water-based, biodegradable solutions that suspend dirt and grime. This process dissolves cobwebs and kills mold, bacteria, and algae while sanitizing the surface. It uses one-third the water of pressure washing and lasts four-to-six times longer.
It is extremely common for siding to become covered in dirt, pollen, or other exterior elements. Wind, storms, cars driving by your house, or even mowing your lawn can cause particles to fly into the air and leave your siding a mess. No matter what form of siding you have, dirt will inevitably collect on its surface.
To prevent mold from growing on siding, it's important to keep your siding clean by using a garden hose and a soft brush every couple of months. Since mold can travel through the air, it can attach to any surface. Regular cleaning prevents buildup and lets you scout out any mold that has begun to form.