Vinyl siding is a great way to add curb appeal to your home and protect it from the elements. It’s lightweight, easy to install, and very durable. Due to these reasons, this type of siding still remains the first choice among homeowners. However, vinyl siding can become dirty or damaged from the sun and weather over time. Luckily, cleaning and maintaining your vinyl siding is simple with the tips outlined in this article
At A. Fricker Roofing and Waterproofing, not only do we have years of experience in installing vinyl siding, but we also have expertise in repairing and cleaning vinyl siding. Today we will take up one of the most frequently asked questions, “How to clean vinyl siding?” Do not worry, it is not a difficult job, and you can easily clean your siding with the proper steps. We will also share some useful tips on vinyl siding maintenance.
Why It Is Important To Keep Your Siding Clean?
We have seen in previous blogs that vinyl siding is a popular choice for home exteriors because of its low maintenance and durability. However, like every other aspect of your home, it can become dirty and stained due to exposure to the elements over time.
Regular cleaning is necessary to maintain the appearance and longevity of your vinyl siding. A dirty and stained exterior can make your home look less attractive and lead to more serious issues down the line such as mold growth and structural damage. Cleaning your vinyl siding regularly can help to prevent these issues and keep your home looking its best.
Tools Required To Start Cleaning
Before explaining the steps necessary to clean your vinyl siding, you need to first ensure that you have the proper equipment. Here is an overview of the tools and materials you will need to clean your vinyl siding:
- A pressure washer, or garden hose with a nozzle
- A ladder and ladder stabilizer depending on the height of your home
- Cleaning solution or a general-purpose cleaner. You can purchase a commercial solution or make your own homemade vinyl siding cleaner, using a mixture of water and mild detergent, or a solution of water and white vinegar.
- A soft bristle brush or a brush attachment for the pressure washer
- A bucket or spray bottle
- Goggles and gloves to protect your eyes and ski.
- A sponge or soft cloth
- Scrub brush
It’s also recommended to check the manufacturer’s instructions or consult a professional if you’re unsure about the cleaning methods, or materials suitable for the type of vinyl siding you have on your home.
Steps To Clean Vinyl Siding
Follow these steps to clean your vinyl siding properly:
Step 1: Take The Necessary Protection
Though cleaning the siding of your home is not as risky as cleaning your roof, precautions are still necessary. You should always wear goggles and gloves to protect your eyes and skin from the cleaning solution. Also, make sure to use a strong and stable ladder to clean the upper stories of your home.
Step 2: Prepare For Cleaning
Before you start, it is important to prepare for the cleaning process. This step will involve the following steps:
- Move any outdoor furniture or decorations away from the area you will be cleaning.
- Cover any nearby plants or landscaping with plastic sheeting to protect them from the cleaning solution.
- If necessary, use masking tape to cover any electrical outlets or light fixtures that are close to the siding.
- Before cleaning, brush or blow off any dirt or debris on the siding.
It’s important to take the time to properly prepare for cleaning your vinyl siding to ensure safety and prevent damage to the surrounding area. This will also help to make the cleaning process more efficient and effective.
Step 3: Start To Clean Your Vinyl Siding
Now that you have taken all the necessary precautions and have prepared the area, it is time to clean the siding. You can clean your siding using various methods, but the below tools are the most commonly used.
- A garden hose or pressure washer
- A cleaning solution
- A soft-bristled brush
Step 4: Rinse The Siding Thoroughly
Rinsing the siding thoroughly with clean water is an important step after cleaning to remove any remaining cleaning solution, and prevent any potential damage.
Start at the top of the house and work your way down, using a side-to-side motion when rinsing.
Different Methods To Clean Vinyl Siding
There is no standard way to care for your house siding. Depending on the condition of your siding, you can move ahead with multiple methods. Let us describe more about them in the section below:
Use A Soft Brush Or A Cloth
For vinyl siding, even delicate cleaning has a big effect. Therefore even using just a soft microfiber cloth or a soft-bristled brush with a long handle can be useful.
This traditional method involves using a bucket, a ladder, a stiff-bristled brush, or a scrub brush. You can also use a cleaning solution such as straight chlorine bleach concentrate that is specifically designed for vinyl siding. This method is more labor-intensive than using a pressure washer or hose, but it is great for spot cleaning or for cleaning hard-to-reach areas.
Use A Garden Hose
Washing softly with a garden hose is an effective way to clean vinyl siding. This method uses a garden hose attachment and a cleaning solution, or general household cleaner, to clean the vinyl siding. This method is gentler than pressure washing, so it’s a good option if you’re concerned about potential damage.
To do this effectively, you should always start with the top half of the siding and then move your way to the bottom. The method will ensure uniformity in cleaning.
Should You Use A Pressure Washer To Clean Your Vinyl Siding?
Deciding whether to use a pressure washer to clean the vinyl siding on your home has always been something that is highly debated. Pressure washing is one of the most effective methods for cleaning vinyl siding, but experts are still divided on whether it’s actually helpful. While some vinyl siding manufacturers do not recommend using a pressure washer, others have given the green light, provided that you use it carefully.
How To Clean Vinyl Siding With A Pressure Washer/Power Washer
This method of cleaning uses a high-pressure stream of water to blast away dirt and grime and can also be used to remove mold and mildew stains. Pressure washers can be rented or purchased, along with a cleaning solution specifically designed for vinyl siding.
When using a pressure washer, use the appropriate pressure setting for your type of siding and keep the nozzle moving to avoid damage or creating dents or holes in the siding. Also, it’s important to wear appropriate safety gear, such as goggles and ear protection, as the pressure washer can be loud, and the pressure of the water may hurt you.
Tips To Keep In Mind
- Do not point the pressure washer upward. Instead keep the pressure washer straight, at an eye level
- Maintain adequate distance so that the pressure does not damage the siding
- Keep the washer away from areas near windows and doors
Best Cleaning Agents To Use For Vinyl Siding
When it comes to cleaning solutions for vinyl siding, a few options can give you great results. Though general-purpose cleaning options such as dish soap can do the trick, they may sometimes be less effective. Below are some of the popular options on the market.
Wet & Forget
Wet & Forget Outdoor Concentrate is a commercial cleaning product that is highly effective for cleaning vinyl siding. This product promises to remove dirt, grime, light mold, and mildew stains from vinyl siding. It’s a non-caustic solution and does not contain bleach, so you can easily apply it on a siding without worrying about it dripping on your plants and harming them.
To use Wet & Forget Outdoor Concentrate, you simply need to spray it onto the siding and then wait the recommended amount of time (check the manufacturer’s instructions) before rinsing it off with a garden hose. In fact, the manufacturer even advises using the product before it rains. This way you can spray the concentrate onto your siding, and then let the rain do the rest of the work! You can find this product on various sites, such as Amazon and Home Depot.
Krud Cutter
If you are looking for a powerful option to clean your dirty vinyl siding’s surface, then the Krud Cutter House and Siding Cleaner is the perfect option. This cleaning solution is made from biodegradable, organic solvents, and is specifically made to be used with a pressure washer.
One gallon of this product can make up to 20 gallons of solution, which is enough to cover a large area of your home. This way you use it not only for siding, but also for other aspects of your home.
How To Maintain Your Vinyl Siding
Maintaining your vinyl siding is one of the most important tasks you can do to improve your home. Most homeowners think that maintenance only includes cleaning the siding. However, there is much more to it. Let’s discuss several ways to maintain your home siding.
- Regularly brushing or blowing off loose dirt and debris can help prevent it from becoming ingrained in the siding, making it harder to remove.
- Trimming back trees and bushes near the siding can also help reduce the amount of dirt and debris that accumulates on the siding.
- Using a protective coating on the siding can also be beneficial, as it can help to repel dirt and grime, making it easier to clean. It also helps protect the siding from UV rays, which cause fading, and discoloration.
- Being proactive will also help in vinyl siding maintenance. Regularly inspecting the siding, the roof, and windows for leaks or damage and making repairs as needed is also important.
Conclusion
We hope that you now have an answer to the question of “How to clean vinyl siding?” A clean siding is something that any homeowner can have. Taking care of your home and ensuring it stays in good condition is important, but it doesn’t have to be hard work. In this blog, we laid out how, with the right tools and knowledge, you can easily clean your vinyl siding!
However, if you are having trouble removing tough stains from your vinyl siding or are in need of a complete replacement, then it’s better to get in touch with a professional contractor.
Install High-Quality Vinyl Siding On Your Home
A new, superior vinyl siding can reduce the need to clean it regularly. If you are looking to install new vinyl siding or replace an existing siding on your home with vinyl, then look no further than the team of A. Fricker Roofing and Waterproofing. We have been offering the best siding replacement services in Tulsa and surrounding areas for years, and use premium siding crafted by some of the best manufacturers.
We not only provide siding installation, but we also offer other services that can improve your home’s exterior. Want to know more about us? Reach us at (918) 402-7167, and we would be happy to answer any of your questions.
