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Vinyl siding is a durable, versatile, and resilient building material, but it does require some routine care and cleaning.
The growing popularity of vinyl siding is indisputable. Indeed, U.S. Census Bureau statistics indicate that vinyl siding has been the leading exterior cladding in the U.S. since . Its popularity shows no sign of waning; in , 33% of new single-family homes sold in the U.S. were sided in the material. Still, that doesn&#;t mean homeowners know how to clean vinyl siding&#;and keep it clean.
Because it is an exterior product, vinyl siding can accumulate a host of dirt, grime, and stains on account of things like pollen, bird and insect droppings, spider webs and rust. In shady, moist areas, mold and mildew can grow, and vinyl is also vulnerable to discoloring effects from insecticides, herbicides, and fertilizers. In addition, vinyl siding&#;s finish may be marred by a number of commonly used household maintenance products, including caulking, driveway sealant, tar, motor oil and paint.
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Luckily, cleaning vinyl siding is a fairly easy job, and there are a wide variety of products to help remove typical stains. Read on, and we&#;ll show you how to clean vinyl siding the right way.
According to the Vinyl Siding Institute, the best way is to use a soft cloth or an ordinary long-handled, soft-bristle brush. To prevent streaking, start at the bottom and work up towards the top of the house. When cleaning vinyl siding, remember to thoroughly rinse away any residue as you go.
Cleaning vinyl siding is even easier with a pressure washer, although some manufacturers advise against it, and other manufacturers recommend a limited amount of pressure.
If you&#;re not sure how to clean vinyl siding with a pressure washer, start by ensuring that the stream is at eye level and pointed straight at the siding, not at an upward angle. That way, you won&#;t drive water behind the siding. Use caution when using a pressure washer around openings like windows, doors, and plumbing connections.
Avoid using any vinyl siding cleaners that contain organic solvents, undiluted chlorine bleach, liquid grease remover, nail polish remover, or furniture polish or cleaners. Any of these products might damage the vinyl siding&#;s surface. Also, avoid using highly-abrasive scrubbers or steel wool; these, too, can cause damage when cleaning vinyl siding.
With just a little bit of time and effort, vinyl siding can be kept looking &#;like new&#; and will provide many years of trouble-free protection for your home.
How to Clean Siding With a Power Washer
Remember when you'd have to scrub your home's siding with a brush and a bucket of water?
Those days are long gone, and luckily for all of us, pressure washers are here to stay.
It may seem like a no-brainer to use a pressure washer to clean your vinyl siding, but by following the steps below properly, you'll be less exhausted, stay safe, and finish in half the time.
Don't be intimidated by the power of a pressure washer.
Pressure washers are easy to operate and are perfectly safe for cleaning your siding, contrary to what you may have heard before.
The trick is to use lower water pressure so the water doesn't get behind your siding or damage the surface.
*Pro-Tip:
The secret is to start on a low-pressure setting and slightly adjust the pressure as needed. From there, always use appropriate soap or detergent, and avoid using corrosive cleaning solutions that contain undiluted bleach or untraditional cleaners like furniture-polishes or degreasers-they'll all damage your siding!
For one-story homes, almost any pressure washer will do just fine at low pressure. For two-story homes, homeowners should consider a gas-powered pressure washer (more powerful) to reach high, hard-to-reach spots. Or, you could consider using an extension wand or a
telescoping wand tool
with a support belt to extend your reach from the ground and spray close to the surface of the stains.
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Soap and water is always a better cleaning combination than water alone. Better still is pressure washer detergent. Most pressure washers come with an injector to mix cleaning solutions right into the jet stream.
Only use solvents that say "approved for pressure washer use" on the label. Unapproved solvents may not be environmentally friendly and could eat away at critical pressure washer components.
Apply the soap mixture under low pressure with smooth, overlapping strokes. To prevent streaking, start from the bottom and work your way up. Pressure washing is a lot like painting. If you get "hose happy" and randomly spray everything, you're bound to miss a spot.
If you have a multi-story house, you should consider using a high-pressure spray kit. Most pressure washers only spray soap under low pressure. These new lances spray detergent up to 25 feet under high pressure.
If your home hasn't been cleaned in a while, use a rotating or utility brush to help loosen thick layers of dirt. The brush simply snaps to the end of the pressure washer wand. Best of all, it acts as a foaming brush, emitting a soapy solution as you clean.
Now it's time to grab a drink and relax for 5-10 minutes while the solution works to break down the mildew, grime, and stains. If you're washing in the sun, keep an eye on the solution and make sure it doesn't dry on the siding, or else the solution won't work well.
Pressure washers are designed to pack a punch, so remember to start at a distance and using a low-pressure spray. If you start too close and too strong, you could damage your siding or spray water into the walls of your home, creating a breeding ground for mold. Hold the wand at least five feet from the surface and gradually move closer if additional cleaning power is needed.
Be careful not to spray directly at eaves, vents or light fixtures. High water pressure can knock out loose windowpanes or break them. Also, keep the angle of the wand pointing down so you don't spray up under the laps of horizontal siding. This will prevent the vinyl siding from buckling under pressure. When rinsing, start at the top and work down to ensure the entire area is soap-free.
Pressure washers are a blast to use. Best of all, they work extremely fast, so you can spend more time admiring your work than actually doing it. In addition, pressure washers have a ton of uses around the home-from stripping paint, cleaning your deck, scrubbing your sidewalks or even washing the car. Get creative, and have some fun this summer!
By Jim O.
Pressure Washer Expert
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