How to Clean and Maintain Vinyl Siding
Vinyl siding has come a long way in terms of its composition over the last 10 years. With protectants and additives, vinyl siding holds its original color and keeps mold and mildew at bay much longer than it used to. But, vinyl siding is not entirely maintenance free, and here’s why. Dust and pollen in the air can collect on homes, and over time that will begin to mildew and in severe cases, mold. By simply keeping the siding clean, you virtually eliminate the chance of mildew on your home. We’re going to walk you through the proper ways to clean and maintain your vinyl siding to keep it looking new for years to come.
Luckily, cleaning vinyl siding is a fairly easy job, and there are a wide variety of products to help remove buildup. In accordance with the Vinyl Siding Institute (VSI), the best way to clean vinyl siding is to use a soft cloth or a soft bristle brush to gently scrub the surface after applying light cleaning solution. We’ll break this down in more detail.
Good vinyl siding cleaning solutions
Mix 70% water with 30% white vinegar. This makes an excellent all-purpose vinyl siding cleaner. For a slightly stronger solution, mox together one-third cup of powdered laundry detergent, two-thirds cup powdered household cleaner, one quart liquid laundry bleach and a gallon of water.
If you’re worried about the vinegar contacting any plants or landscapes, you can mix one gallon of water and one cup of oxygen bleach. The oxygen bleach will clean the vinyl without damaging your landscaping.
Simple Green offers an environmentally friendly cleaner that is specially formulated for use on vinyl and aluminum siding, stucco, terra cotta roof tiles, and painted wood. The non-toxic biodegradeable concentrate can be used manually or with pressure washers.
Using a pressure washer
Cleaning your vinyl siding is much easier with the help of a pressure washer, although some siding manufacturers advise against it, and others recommend a limited amount of pressure (check with your siding manufacturer). Many power washers have the ability to add cleaning solutions to help, just be sure to follow your users manual and wash the cleaning solution off after application.
We hope this helps you keep the vinyl siding on your home looking fresh for years to come!
