How to clean your vinyl siding

Vinyl siding is the most popular form of exterior protection for a home, offering outstanding durability and resistance to the problems that plague brick and wood exteriors. The advantages of vinyl are numerous. However, this material is still vulnerable to one of the most common problems: dirt that accumulates over time. Cleaning your home is an easy task that requires common items found around your home or, at the most, a pressure washer that can be rented at any home improvement store. Learning how to clean the exterior of your own home will help you maintain curb appeal for years to come.

Step 1 – Assemble Your Siding Cleaning Tools

You already have 99% of the tools you need to successfully clean your exterior. The only thing you may not have on hand is a pressure washer, which is easily rentable. For slightly dirty vinyl, you will only need a few tools:

• A long-handled cleaning tool. A long brush or mop works well here. If necessary, you can also attach a cloth to a broom. RV brushes are great for two-story homes.

• A hose, preferably with a good degree of pressure. This can also be replaced with a pressure washer if you choose to rent one.

• A five gallon bucket or so for mixing your cleaning solution.

• A little detergent. Laundry soap works well.

Step 2 – Prepare the Exterior

Walk around the entire perimeter of your home and make sure all electrical outlets are unplugged and preferably temporarily turned off. When doing this, make sure that anything that could be damaged by a stream of water is far enough away that it doesn’t hit you. You’ll be spraying the entire exterior with water in the next step, so any toys or patio furniture that won’t benefit from cleaning should be moved a safe distance away. Leave more space if you intend to pressure wash.

Step 3: Hose down the siding and scrub

Start working around your house, hosing down three to five foot sections of siding as you go. You want to make sure each area is clean before proceeding, achieving a full clean when you’ve done a full circuit. Start by simply rinsing the liner. If that doesn’t work, use a mild detergent solution with a soft brush or cloth. Rub gently, being careful not to scratch. If that still doesn’t work, move on to pressure washing. Normally, scrubbing will be more than enough.

In most cases, that’s all it takes. Just go around your home once with the hose or detergent, and you’ll enjoy an instant boost in curb appeal.

Special Notes: Using a Pressure Washer

If you choose to pressure wash your siding, you’ll need to be a bit careful with your technique. Make sure that too much water does not get under the liner, which could cause a leak in your home. To accomplish this, keep a reasonable distance from your home and be sure not to angle the sprinkler under the siding. Otherwise, using a pressure washer to clean your vinyl is a practical and easy solution.

Special Notes: How to Treat Mold and Mildew

Although vinyl siding is more resistant to mold and mildew than most other types of home siding, it can still succumb to it over time. To combat this problem, simply add a little liquid laundry bleach to the detergent and water solution. You may need to scrub a bit, but eventually you’ll beat the mold and mildew and you’ll be back to clean vinyl.

All of these techniques are simple and fast, almost always doable in half a day or less. They become easier the more frequently you clean the vinyl, as there is less chance of dirt and plant debris accumulating. Frequent washing will help keep your home in top condition, ensuring you get the clean, well-maintained look you’ve been working for.