How to Clean Vinyl Siding on a House
With the right tools on hand, you can tackle this project on your own
Your vinyl siding is a huge component of your home’s exterior, so if it’s looking a bit worse for wear, it’s hard not to notice it. Luckily, you only need to follow a few steps to get your siding looking fresh and new again. We’ll teach you everything you need to know about how to clean vinyl siding without a pressure washer using just a few household ingredients.
Prepping to Clean Vinyl Siding
The first step to mastering how to clean vinyl siding on a house is the prep work.
You’ll need a decent amount of time and elbow grease to clean your vinyl siding, but you can typically tackle the project yourself. Just keep in mind that you will probably need to get up on a ladder to access the highest points of siding on your home. Make sure you feel comfortable and capable before deciding that this project is for you, and always follow ladder safety tips.
Vinyl Siding Cleaning Solutions
When it comes to cleaning vinyl siding, different cleaning solutions are essential for achieving the desired results. While lighter solutions work wonders for routine cleaning, they may fall short when faced with tough stains. To effectively remove excessive staining from vinyl siding, a stronger cleaning solution specifically designed for heavy-duty tasks is required.
By choosing the appropriate cleaning solution tailored to the specific cleaning purpose, one can ensure a thorough and successful cleaning of vinyl siding.
Water and White Vinegar
For routine cleaning purposes, the simplest and highly effective cleaning solution for vinyl siding can be easily created by combining 70% water with 30% white vinegar. To simplify the mixing process, utilize a lightweight secondary bucket or container that can be comfortably held during cleaning. This water and white vinegar solution is particularly suitable for routine cleaning rather than tackling tough stains.
Household Cleaners
When dealing with tougher stains on vinyl siding, certain household cleaners can come to the rescue. Explore options like mixing laundry detergent or dish soap with water to create powerful cleaning solutions. You can also try mixing vinegar diluted with water to make a cleaner. By utilizing these various household cleaners, you can confidently address and remove tough stains, restoring the pristine appearance of your vinyl siding and enhancing the overall aesthetics of your home's exterior.
Vinyl-specific Cleaners
You can use a specialized outdoor cleaner designed specifically for outdoor surfaces, including vinyl siding. They are formulated to effectively remove dirt, grime, and stains from exterior surfaces without causing damage. On the other hand, there are also cleaners explicitly made for cleaning vinyl. These cleaners are specifically formulated to address the unique characteristics and maintenance needs of vinyl materials, ensuring safe and effective cleaning without risking any potential damage.
How to Clean Vinyl Siding
Regular cleaning is a relatively simple process that can help maintain your siding’s appearance and extend its life span. Replacing vinyl siding costs, on average, $12,000 or more, so keeping your siding in top condition is important to maintain your home’s ROI.
We’re going to break down a method that is effective for removing general dirt and grime, but it may not guarantee the complete removal of tough stains or deeply embedded contaminants.
Prior to commencing the cleaning process, ensure that your ladder is properly anchored and consider working with a partner for added safety.
Washing Vinyl Siding
It's time to get out your soft-bristled brush to get to work. When cleaning vinyl siding, it’s best to use a soft-bristled brush, preferably a soft microfiber brush, to avoid scratching or damaging the surface. Microfiber brushes are gentle yet effective at removing dirt and grime without causing harm.
For brush styles, you have two main options—hand-held brushes or broom-style brushes with extended handles. Hand-held brushes offer greater control and maneuverability, allowing you to focus on specific areas or intricate details. On the other hand, broom-style brushes with extended handles enable you to reach higher or hard-to-access areas of the siding without the need for a ladder, providing convenience and ease of use.
Both brush styles have their advantages. Hand-held brushes excel in providing precision cleaning and are ideal for smaller sections or spot cleaning. Broom-style brushes, with their extended reach, are advantageous for covering larger areas and reaching heights comfortably, reducing the need for additional equipment or climbing.
Whatever style brush you choose, make sure that your brush isn't too abrasive. You can always opt for a soft cloth or sponge if you're overly concerned about scraping your siding. If you need to reach some areas you can’t access by hand, consider using a broom that lets you extend your reach to tough points.
The best way to wash vinyl siding properly is to start at the top of each shingle to push dirt downward. When you start from the bottom, you're actually pushing dirt down on newly cleaned shingles with every new shingle you clean. Moving along the entire length of each vinyl shingle in one direction will allow you to cover the entire length of your home.
While you're wiping down your vinyl siding, use the opportunity to look for any holes or rips that might need attention. It's relatively inexpensive to hire a professional near you to repair holes in vinyl siding, which can help preserve your vinyl siding life span.
Rinsing Vinyl Siding
Try to be quick with rinsing, as this will ensure that you can get rid of any dirt or debris loosened up on your vinyl without worrying that everything will dry up in the sun.
The best way to rinse your vinyl siding is to use your garden hose. Rinse each section as you go while the siding is still wet from your cleaning solution. Some people may be considering using a power washer. While some vinyl companies caution against it, others permit its use on low-pressure settings. However, it's important to be aware of the risks. For routine cleaning of dirt and grime, a garden hose is generally sufficient and safer.
Importance of Cleaning Your Vinyl Siding
Depending on the size of your home, cleaning your vinyl siding can be a long, grueling task. You can tackle some projects with a power washer, but most manufacturers would recommend breaking out a soft-bristled brush and some upper body strength. Fortunately, you can limit this cleaning project to once a year. If there’s no visible build-up, you could get away with scheduling a clean every couple of years, but anything over two to three years is pushing it.
The hard work put into this project comes with many benefits. By cleaning your vinyl siding, you can:
Boost your curb appeal
Help your siding last longer
Prevent bacteria, mold, mildew, and algae
Prevent pests
Increase your property value
DIY Vinyl Siding Cleaning vs. Hiring a Pro
Washing your own vinyl siding isn't out of the question if you have a free afternoon. However, factor in things like your desire to do this project, how comfortable you feel climbing up to access all of your siding, and the condition of your vinyl siding.
DIY Projects Don't Always Go As Planned
If you're curious about different cleaning solutions, consider reaching out to a local pro to inquire about the methods they can offer. Options include detergent or oxygen bleach cleaners, biodegradable cleaners, and pressure washing.
Washing your vinyl siding on your own with some basic household cleaning items is practically free, compared to the $300 to $600 cost to hire a pro. However, the intense effort required may inspire you to treat yourself to some free time by hiring a local vinyl siding cleaning service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Bleach can be an option if you want to kill mold and mildew clinging to your siding. However, you must water bleach down to the right concentration of a 1/2 cup of bleach per gallon of water to avoid damaging your siding. Bleach can also harm plants in your yard and isn’t safe to use near pets, so employ it with caution.
Local pressure washing services often offer non-bleach options that can powerfully remove mold and mildew.
Not always. The answer depends on your specific vinyl siding product. While some manufacturers advise against pressure washing, others recommend pressure washing as long as pressure is kept below a certain threshold.
The required PSI (pounds per square inch) to clean vinyl siding can vary depending on the manufacturer's recommendations and the condition of the siding. It's crucial to consult the specific guidelines provided by the vinyl siding manufacturer to determine if it is safe to use a pressure washer. In general, for routine cleaning of general dirt and grime, a garden hose with a spray nozzle attachment should be sufficient. However, always exercise caution and avoid using excessive pressure that could potentially damage the vinyl siding or compromise its protective coatings.
Depending on climate and maintenance, vinyl siding can last between 30 to 40 years. Vinyl siding performs better in moderate climates, whereas extreme temperatures can shorten its life span. Under extreme heat, vinyl siding melts and peels. Alternatively, frigid weather can cause your siding to crack. Routine maintenance—cleaning and fixing damages—can help extend vinyl siding’s life span. It can prevent discoloration and wear and tear, as well as stop small holes and cracks from snowballing into extensive damage. By taking care of your vinyl siding, you could make it last 40 years or more.