After a long winter, there’s no better time to clean your house siding than during the summer. Vinyl siding is durable, easy to maintain and only requires a yearly cleaning to keep it in top condition.
Whether your siding has accumulated some seasonal grime or needs to be cleaned of mildew stains, you can easily clean it on a weekend afternoon with these four simple steps.
1. Choose a Cleaning Solution
You’ll first need to decide what type of cleaning solution to use. You can choose between gentler solutions for general cleaning or stronger solutions for siding that has tough stains. If you have landscaping, choose a solution that is plant-friendly.
Cleaning solution options include:
- Non-chlorine bleach: Cut through mold and mildew stains by mixing one gallon of water with one cup of oxygen bleach. This type of bleach is safe for your landscaping because it’s chlorine-free.
- Vinegar: Mixing 70% vinegar and 30% water is also great for mold and mildew stains, and won’t cause any damage to your surrounding plants.
- Laundry detergent:Â You can mix one-third of a cup of laundry detergent with your non-chlorine bleach solution for a more powerful cleaner.
- Borax:Â Eliminate pesky insects by dissolving one cup of Borax in one gallon of hot water. You can also scrub this mixture on any areas with mold.
- Biodegradable commercial cleansers: Simple Green is an example of an environmentally-friendly cleaner that won’t cause harm to your landscaping and will still effectively clean your vinyl siding.
2. Prepare Your Cleaning Materials
Choose a clear, sunny day to clean your vinyl siding with the following materials:
- Soft cloths or a soft-bristled brush or broom
- Cleaning solution of your choice
- A garden hose
- A large bucket to mix cleaning solution
- A ladder
- A power washer (optional)
Avoid using steel wool or other highly-abrasive materials that will cause damage to your siding. Soft-bristled brushes will have enough scrubbing power without harming your siding.
Most vinyl siding is safe to clean with power or pressure washers but check with your manufacturer or siding company beforehand so you don’t cause any damage. Always read the instructions carefully and take extra caution around windows and doors.
3. Apply Your Cleaning Solution in Sections
Apply your cleaning solution with your soft cloth or soft-bristled brush. Start at the bottom and work your way up to prevent streaking. Apply the solution in sections rather than your entire house at once. Otherwise, the solution will dry before you can rinse it off.
4. Rinse Each Section and Repeat
After applying your solution to a section, rinse it off with your hose or power washer. Start at the bottom and rinse your way up. To prevent corrosion, rinse off the solution before it dries. Once your section is rinsed off, you can apply the solution to a new section. Then, rinse and repeat.
Need to Update Your Siding? Contact the Experts at C&T Today
You can save yourself the trouble of constant cleaning and repair by replacing your vinyl siding. For over 40 years, our team has been improving the house siding of homeowners throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin. We’ll help you find affordable, long-lasting siding solutions so you can feel proud about your home.
Call us today at 715-749-3162 or send us a message for a free consultation and estimate.
