Cleaning your house’s siding is essential for its maintenance and overall health, but few people know how to do it. If you are one of those people, then keep reading.
Even though vinyl siding is typically fade-resistant, chemical stains and discoloration can still occur. However, homeowners can rest easy knowing that vinyl siding requires the least amount of time and effort to maintain.
PRODUCTS AND TOOLS NEEDED
TO CLEAN VINYL SIDING
Rainwater, as well as washing your siding with an ordinary garden hose, is a natural and easy way to clean vinyl siding. For dirt and grime buildup, we suggest using the appropriate method, tools, and cleaning supplies for your vinyl siding.
1- Soft cloth: We recommend using microfiber cloths to clean your vinyl siding because they will not scratch or chip the surface. Make sure you have plenty on hand; depending on how dirty your vinyl siding is, you might need a lot!
2- Bucket: Use a bucket to mix your siding cleaner and transport it throughout the house if needed or use your hose to fill the bucket.
3- Garden hose: Rinse each section with a hose as you clean. By rinsing as you go, you can avoid residue build-up and staining. Make sure your garden hose is long enough to reach the tops of your vinyl siding with water.
4- Broom or a long-handled, soft bristle brush: Use a broom to clean vinyl siding. The bristles should be fine enough to remove debris from the siding without damaging its surface. A brush is ideal for cleaning the lower sections of your siding, while a broom or brush with a long handle is ideal for cleaning the higher sections.
5- Create a solution or use a general-purpose cleaner: We recommend creating a solution to clean your siding. For tough dirt, dust, and grime, combine a general-purpose cleaner in a bucket with warm water. Make a solution of 70% water and 30% white vinegar if you’re trying to get rid of mold and mildew. If you want to use a multi-purpose cleaner, try Dawn dish soap or Palmolive.
6- Commercial house siding cleaner: Look for solutions designed specifically for washing vinyl siding for a thorough clean. Straight chlorine bleach, paint thinner, acetone (nail polish remover), furniture cleanser, and spot or paint remover should not be used.
WHEN READY TO WASH YOUR SIDING
Before you begin cleaning your siding, make sure to take certain precautions. If your house has a brick front, protect it so that the runoff from the solution and water does not affect it. Begin at the bottom of the home and work your way up, rinsing the cleaning solution entirely before it dries for optimal results. To preserve the grooves in the texture stain-free, use only a soft bristle brush on textured surfaces.
Before beginning a new section, rinse the previous one. Use your garden hose to rinse away any solution, dirt, or debris from the freshly cleaned vinyl siding (while it’s still wet), then move to the upper section to repeat the cleaning process.
SHOULD YOU USE A POWER WASHER
ON THE SIDING
Although you can use a power washer on your siding, we recommend using a hand scrubber as this can lessen your chances of damage done to your siding due to the high pressure of the power washer. There are more effective techniques to clean your house’s siding. We at Glassmate recommend hand-scrubbing your siding with a soft bristle brush to get the best results.
TO CONCLUDE
Vinyl siding is a popular material for house exteriors since it is durable and relatively easy to maintain. However, to keep it in good shape, clean it regularly.
The techniques we explained above make learning how to clean vinyl siding simple. Simply mix your house siding cleaner, apply it with a soft-bristled brush or soft cloth to each area of siding, and rinse before going on to the next section. Avoid using cleaners that contain strong components like organic solvents, undiluted chlorine bleach, liquid grease remover, nail polish remover, or furniture polish on your vinyl siding to avoid damaging the siding’s protective surface.
