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Many homes across the country use vinyl siding to protect the edges of their homes from moisture and wetness. As common as they are, all too often they get dirty and unattractive. This can be an issue when selling your home as dirty siding can indicate a lack of general maintenance and potentially bigger problems. Hence, it’s a good idea to keep stains and mold at bay with these 5 simple steps.

Identify the spots

Before you start cleaning, check your vinyl siding to identify the stains. In this way, you can now determine exactly which cleaning utensils should be used, but also the cleaning products. Simple stains like dust and dirt are easier to remove than mold or mildew.

Once you’ve established what to expect, be sure to check out the manufacturing guidelines for cleaning vinyl siding as well. Most manufacturers offer a 50-year warranty on the siding. However, if you accidentally damage it from improper cleaning, you may need to replace it.

Protect the environment

Make sure all windows and doors are closed. If you use a pressure washer, you should protect all cables, lines and sockets. If there are plants growing near your home, such as B. Ornamental shrubs or flower beds, you can cover them with a plastic sheet to prevent them from being damaged by the cleaning spray.

Choose the right cleaning solution

In most cases, even if you need to get rid of powdery mildew, a mixture of water and white vinegar is enough. It’s also safer and more environmentally friendly. A chemical solution may be required for tougher stains or mold. Typically, a mixture of laundry detergent, powdered household cleaner, bleach, and water will do this job – check the manufacturer’s guidelines for exact dosages.

If you are concerned that the cleaning solution will affect your landscaping, you can use commercially available natural cleaners or a mixture of water and oxygen bleach. Avoid substances like paint remover, paint thinner, undiluted chlorine bleach, nail polish remover, or furniture cleaner, as these will damage the vinyl coating.

Start cleaning from the bottom

Apply the cleaning solution with a soft brush or a non-abrasive cloth or sponge and work your way up from the bottom. This will prevent streaks on the walls. It is also helpful if you divide the areas to be cleaned into small sections and clean them one by one to keep track of which areas have been cleaned or not. If you need to clean door and window frames or outdoor faucets, it is best to do the cleaning by hand.

Rinse from top to bottom

Once you’ve removed the dirt (carefully), you can rinse the siding top-down, making sure to remove any residue. If there are still stains, you can check them as described above as necessary.

Vinyl siding manufacturers recommend that you do this carefully, usually with a garden hose, to avoid damaging the siding. However, this will take longer, so you may be tempted to use a pressure washer instead. So you’re probably wondering:

Should you use a pressure washer on vinyl siding?

Pressure washers are a great cleaning tool because the power of the jet of water removes stubborn dirt and allows detergent to be thoroughly rinsed off. The problem is, they can also damage the vinyl coating as well as cause discoloration and even water ingress. Most manufacturers don’t recommend it, but if you’re careful you can still take advantage of this feature.

Avoid using a pressure washer on vinyl siding on the highest setting. Instead, use a gentler flow of water that is less likely to damage the coating. It is important that the flow of water is kept at eye level (use a ladder for higher areas) and is pointing straight at the siding instead of an angle. This can help prevent water from getting behind the layers of siding, which can lead to mold and mildew building up.

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