Although vinyl siding is a durable, low-maintenance material, it takes a lot of punishment throughout the seasons.
As a result, the build-up of things like dirt, pollen, stains, mildew, bird and insect droppings, dried leaves, spider webs, and rust can become noticeable over time. When left on your siding, these materials can cause permanent discolouration, sometimes eating away at the protective coating.
To help maintain your property’s curb appeal, it takes a little TLC to keep your siding looking its best, and in today’s blog post, we share tips on cleaning vinyl siding as part of your regular exterior home maintenance regimen.
Safe Cleaners for Vinyl Siding
Vinyl siding is designed to put up with everything Mother Nature can throw at it.
However, it isn’t intended to withstand unexpected chemicals and abrasives found in many cleaners.
To be sure you’re using something that will keep your siding looking its best without causing damage, go with one of the following cleaners:
- DIY cleaners: One of the best cleaners is a homemade mix of 70% water and 30% white vinegar. This all-purpose vinyl siding cleaner removes dirt and tackles organic matter like mold and mildew. Another DIY cleaner that is tough on dirt but gentle on your siding is a mix of 1/3 cup of powdered laundry detergent, 2/3 cup of powdered household cleaner, and a quart of liquid laundry bleach in a gallon of water.
- Eco-friendly cleaners: You can find eco-friendly cleaners explicitly made for siding and exterior housing materials like stucco or aluminium siding. These are ideal if you are concerned about damaging your landscaping. You can also make a DIY mix of one gallon of water with oxygen bleach.
- General all-purpose cleaners: Most all-purpose cleaners will work well to remove dirt and stains from vinyl siding.
- Rust stains: If you have rust stains on your siding, they make special rust stain removers that should be safe on your siding.
We always recommend erring on the side of caution. Try a bit of the cleaner on a small, less noticeable area of your siding to ensure it doesn’t cause discoloration or make the siding appear gritty. This means the cleaner is damaging the vinyl.
Can I Pressure Clean the Vinyl Siding?
You can make life easier using a pressure washer.
However, make sure you have to use limited pressure of no more than 2,500-3,000 psi. You should check with the siding manufacturer to see if they recommend pressure washing before you proceed.
When pressure washing vinyl siding, follow these tips:
- Keep the stream of water at eye level so you aren’t forcing water up and under the siding
- Avoid hitting your windows and doors
- Make sure all your windows are shut
- Keep clear of any outdoor plumbing and fixtures, such as air conditioning or heat pump units
- Avoid hitting your landscaping
The Don’ts of Cleaning Vinyl Siding
To protect your vinyl siding from damage, avoid the following:
- Organic solvents
- Undiluted chlorine bleach
- Liquid grease remover
- Nail polish remover
- Furniture polish or cleaners
- Abrasive cleaners
- Abrasive scrubbing tools like steel wool
All these cleaning products are too corrosive and contain chemicals that can damage your siding.
When in doubt, consult with a professional roofer to avoid damaging your vinyl siding.
Len Roofing & Remodeling Difference
When we say that we’re a top-quality home remodelling and roofing company that serves the North Shore and surrounding Chicagoland area, we back it up. We do more than simply cover the basics: we show up on time and nail it. For more information or to schedule a consultation, call 847-768-6000 or visit our contact page.
