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.
The power of pressure washing can result in holes in your siding, breaking off vinyl panels, and more. When you're using a pressure washer, you're likely shooting water up toward the top of your house.
If you do not have a pressure washer, a hose usually works as a good substitute. Though, a hose might not get rid of all dirt, debris, and stains. Perform vinyl siding pressure washing once a year.
70% water, 30% white vinegar makes a great all-purpose vinyl siding cleaner that removes light mold and mildew stains.
A popular time to do so is in the spring, especially in more northern climates where snow, ice, and salt can do a number on your home over the winter. But, the truth is, you can clean your vinyl siding any time of year, as long as you have a mild, sunny day in the forecast.
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.
Not only can chlorine bleach and harsh chemicals damage your landscaping, but you also need to keep in mind the runoff that will cause these chemicals to end up in our waterways. Dish soap or laundry soap mixed with warm water are efficient at cleaning your siding.
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.
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.
Negatives – Using a pressure washer to clean your home may not be all that it is cracked up to be. The pressure can blast through wood, asphalt and even concrete if close enough. So, you're forcing water behind the siding which could cause problems within your walls and you wouldn't even know until it's too late.
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.
The majority of siding cleaning takes place in the spring although any time of year the temperature is above freezing is fine to clean your siding.
Will bleach hurt vinyl siding? Although vinyl siding can also be cleaned with detergents, Clorox is much more effective for removing stubborn baked-on dirt, soot, stains, mold and mildew. Clorox bleach will not harm vinyl siding as long as it is properly diluted and thoroughly rinsed from the surface.
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.
For general dirtiness all you'll need is a bucket of soapy water – dish soap or common laundry detergent work well, a soft bristle brush and a garden hose. Apply the soapy mixture by hand and thoroughly rinse the siding with clean water from the garden hose.
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.
Cleaners recommended by the Vinyl Siding Institute for general cleaning include Fantastik and Murphy's Oil Soap.
Using a garden hose, spray only the section of siding that you're working on with water. Spray using a downward motion to avoid forcing water underneath the siding, where it could cause damage and rot. Using a scrub brush and the TSP/water cleaner, scrub the siding to remove the grime and dirt.
Using the cleaning solution, start power washing at the bottom of the house and work your way up. Working from the top down can cause water and suds to run down the side of the house, making it more likely you'll miss a section. Spray in a horizontal, side-to-side motion.
It's common for a few of your siding boards to become loose or misplaced during a powerful storm. However, if several of your siding boards are cracked, unfastened, or missing, it may be a sign of water damage. Moisture weakens your siding boards and makes them more susceptible to destruction.