How to Clean Vinyl Siding: 7 Proven Methods

Saturday, July 20, 2024 tayebghamam

Vinyl siding is one of the most popular options because it is relatively affordable, durable, and highly resistant to rain, sleet, hail, and snow. However, siding does get dirty over time, requiring cleaning to maintain the appearance of the home. Depending on the level of dirt, dust, and grime, cleaning vinyl siding can be as simple as spraying it down with a garden hose.

However, homeowners who have not kept up with vinyl siding maintenance can be faced with layers of dirt, stubborn stains, and even mold growth, which can spread across the siding surface. Use this guide to learn how to clean vinyl siding using multiple methods.

Safety tips

When cleaning vinyl siding, you may need to climb a ladder or walk across the roof to reach each section. Therefore, it is essential to take proper precautions and wear appropriate personal protective equipment. Ideally, at least two people should work on this task so that one of them can always hold the ladder and call for help if something goes wrong.

Additionally, wearing rubber gloves and safety glasses can help prevent skin and eye irritation while cleaning. Cover plants, trees, or objects that may be damaged by the cleaning solution with a waterproof tarp, and water any vegetation in the area before you begin cleaning to reduce absorption of the solutions by the roots.

How to Clean Vinyl Siding

There are several methods for cleaning vinyl siding. Choose the method that works best for you based on your skills, supplies, equipment, and the level of cleaning required.

1. Garden hose

The easiest way to clean vinyl siding is to use a garden hose with a spray nozzle. The hose’s directed spray removes light layers of dust, dirt, and debris with no more effort than pointing and squeezing the spray nozzle.

Since you don’t need to scrub the siding to remove light layers of dirt, you may be able to clean every inch of vinyl siding without using a ladder or climbing onto the roof. However, for thick layers of dirt or stubborn grime, a garden hose alone won’t get the job done.

2. Soft bristle broom and brush

A broom and soft-bristled brush used in combination with a garden hose can be an effective method for cleaning light to medium layers of dirt and grime. While the water pressure from a garden hose will remove some of the dirt and debris, it is sometimes necessary to scrub the surface of the siding with a soft-bristled brush. A broom can be used to reach higher areas, allowing you to work without climbing a ladder.

  1. Begin by rinsing the vinyl siding with the garden hose and spray nozzle attached.
  2. While the vinyl siding is wet, gently scrub the surface with a soft bristle brush or broom. Too much pressure could scratch the siding, so be careful how much force you use.
  3. After scrubbing away dirt and grime, use the garden hose to rinse off the vinyl siding.
  4. Work in sections until you have cleaned the entire exterior of the house.

3. Household cleaners

Some dirt and grime can be difficult to remove without using a cleaning solution. The easiest way to clean vinyl is to combine general household cleaners and water. Used with a soft-bristled brush and broom, this solution can be enough to remove most types of dirt and debris.

  1. Mix a solution using 1/3 cup powdered detergent, 2/3 cup powdered household cleaner, and one gallon of warm water.
  2. Rinse the siding with a garden hose fitted with a spray nozzle.
  3. Dip the soft bristle brush or broom into the cleaning solution and scrub the upholstery.
  4. Work from the top of the wall down so that dirt does not drip onto the clean wall tiles.
  5. Rinse the vinyl siding with the garden hose to remove excess cleaning solution before it dries.
  6. Work in sections until you have cleaned the entire exterior of the house.

4. White vinegar

A mixture of white vinegar and warm water can be a good substitute for a general-purpose cleaning solution. The vinegar and water mixture works similarly to an all-purpose cleaner and can also treat mild mold and mildew stains.

  1. Mix 30% white vinegar and 70% warm water in a large bucket.
  2. Rinse the siding with a garden hose fitted with a spray nozzle.
  3. Dip the soft-bristle brush or broom into the vinegar cleaning solution, then scrub the upholstery, targeting the mold wherever you see it growing.
  4. Work from the top of the wall down so that dirt does not drip onto the clean wall tiles.
  5. Rinse the vinyl siding with the garden hose to remove excess cleaning solution before it dries.
  6. Work in sections until you have cleaned the entire exterior of the house.

5. Oxygen bleach

Oxygen bleach, also known as sodium percarbonate or oxygen bleach, is a safe and natural alternative to chlorine bleach. It is also biodegradable and is great for cleaning mold and mildew. The oxygen bleach solution is gentle on vinyl siding, but kills mold and most other types of bacteria or fungi.

  1. Mix one cup of oxygen bleach in one gallon of warm water in a large bucket.
  2. Use a garden hose equipped with a spray nozzle to rinse the vinyl siding.
  3. Apply the oxygen bleach solution to the soft-bristled brush or broom and scrub the upholstery, targeting the mold wherever you see it.
  4. Work from top to bottom to prevent dirt and dirty water from flowing onto the clean tile covering.
  5. Rinse the vinyl siding with the garden hose to remove excess cleaning solution before it dries.
  6. Work in sections until you have cleaned the entire exterior of the house.

6. Localized cleaning

In some cases, stubborn stains in specific areas can be difficult to remove during a general house cleaning. When this happens, take the time to target the affected area with a powerful cleaning solution designed to remove the stain. Typically, a mixture of white vinegar and water or oxygen bleach and water is enough to remove most stains. However, in some circumstances, you may need to purchase specific commercial cleaners depending on the type of stain.

  1. Begin by mixing or otherwise preparing the necessary cleaning solution.
  2. Rinse the affected area with a garden hose and spray nozzle to remove surface dirt.
  3. Use a soft bristle brush coated in the cleaning solution to scrub the stain, applying appropriate pressure to remove the stain without damaging the vinyl.
  4. If necessary, use a non-abrasive cleaning solution that can be applied directly to the stain and left on for the time specified by the manufacturer.
  5. Rinse off any remaining cleaning solution.

7. Pressure washer

A pressure washer can be used to clean vinyl siding, but you must be very careful not to damage the siding or spray water into the gaps between or under the siding. With this in mind, use a low-pressure or variable-pressure machine so that you can lower the water pressure to an appropriate level. Work slowly and spray the siding directly, avoiding any weep holes, seams or wall openings, such as windows, doors, ducts and pipes. If there is a stain near any of these areas, opt for a soft-bristle brush rather than the pressure washer to remove the stain.

  1. Prepare the pressure washer cleaning detergent.
  2. Load the pressure washer and check the setting to make sure the water pressure is low enough to avoid damaging the vinyl.
  3. Adjust the pressure washer nozzle to spray the siding straight on rather than at an angle to avoid spraying water under the vinyl panels.
  4. Spray the vinyl siding carefully, working from the top to the bottom of the wall.
  5. Rinse the vinyl upholstery to remove any detergent residue.
  6. Work in sections until you have cleaned the entire exterior of the house.
  7. Go back over all areas around drain holes, seams or wall openings to spot clean.
  8. Rinse the vinyl siding around these areas with a garden hose before the cleaning solution dries.