In the Upper Midwest, your house siding can collect a lot of dirt, dust, bird droppings, rust and mildew throughout the four seasons. After a cold winter and rainy spring, summer is a perfect time to give your house siding a yearly clean to keep it in top shape.
The way you go about cleaning your house siding all depends on what type of siding you have. Here we lay out three easy ways to clean it this summer, whether you have vinyl, steel or LP SmartSide siding.
Choose a Cleaning Solution
Decide first what type of cleaning solution to use for your type of siding. You’ll also want to consider preserving your landscaping with environmentally-friendly solutions.
For Vinyl Siding
- Vinegar and water:Â For mold and mildew stains, mixing 70% vinegar and 30% water provides a gentle cleaning solution.
- Laundry detergent and bleach:Â If you need a stronger solution, mix one-third of a cup of powdered laundry detergent, two-thirds of a cup of powdered household cleaner, one gallon of water and one quart of liquid laundry bleach.
- Commercial biodegradable cleansers:Â You can find non-toxic and environmentally-friendly cleaners at your hardware store that will clean your siding without harming your landscaping.
For Steel Siding
- Bleach: For tough mold and mildew, mix one-part bleach with three parts water.
- Laundry detergent:Â For a gentle solution, mix one-third cup of laundry detergent with six gallons of water.
For LP SmartSide Siding
- Dishwashing liquid:Â Mix dishwashing liquid and water in a large bucket for a mild cleaning solution.
- Laundry detergent:Â You can also use one quart of mild laundry detergent and mix it with one gallon of water to clean your siding.
- Vinegar and water:Â Just like vinyl siding, you can mix one part vinegar with three parts water. Never use undiluted vinegar to clean your siding.
3 Easy Cleaning Methods for Your House Siding
1. Use a Power or Pressure Washer
You can use a power washer for vinyl and steel siding, but not for LP SmartSide siding.
Check with your manufacturer or siding company to see whether a power washer is advised for cleaning your type of vinyl or steel siding.
If using a power washer, read the instructions carefully to avoid causing damage to your siding, especially around windows, doors and electrical wiring.
2. Use a Garden Hose
After applying your cleaning solution, you can gently spray it off with a regular garden hose. Always apply your solution in sections so you can rinse it off before it dries to prevent corrosion. Once a section has been thoroughly rinsed, you can repeat the process on the next section of your siding.
3. Hire a Professional
Cleaning your house siding can eat up your entire weekend. If you don’t have the time or means to do it yourself, you can always hire a professional to do it for you. Ask your friends and neighbors for recommendations or read local online reviews.
Does Your Siding Need Replacement? Call C&T For a Free Estimate!
If the condition of your siding needs help beyond cleaning, our team is here for you. C&T Siding & Windows has been helping homeowners with affordable siding solutions in the Upper Midwest for over 40 years. To get a free consultation and estimate, call us at 715-749-3162 or send us a message.
