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Cleaning Vinyl Siding
Below you will find various suggestions on how to clean vinyl siding. There are many different ways for cleaning vinyl siding, so be sure to read the frequently asked questions, suggestions and tips below.
Frequently Asked Vinyl Siding Cleaning Questions
How do I clean vinyl siding?
Clean vinyl siding with a soft cloth or ordinary long-handled, soft bristle brush. For textured surfaces, use only a soft bristle brush to avoid smearing stains into the grooves of the texture. To prevent streaking from soap and water running down the house during cleaning, start at the bottom of the house and work up. Rinse the cleaning solution with water before it dries. If your house has brick facing, cover the brick so that it is not affected by the runoff.
Can I use a power washer?
Yes, though you should read the washer instructions thoroughly before use. When cleaning, hold the power washer straight at eye level. Do not aim the power washer upward, as the water may collect behind the siding, leak later, and produce streaks or could remain and cause decay.
How do I remove mold and mildew?
Small spots of mold and mildew can be handled with cleaners such as Fantastik® or Windex®. For larger sections, a solution of vinegar (30%) and water (70%) has proven successful. Alternatively, you also could try the following solution: 1/3 cup (2 2/3 ounces) powdered laundry detergent (e.g., Tide®, Fab®, or equivalent), 2/3 cup (5 1/3 ounces) powdered household cleaner (e.g., Spic & Span®, Soilax®, or equivalent), 1 quart (32 fluid ounces) liquid laundry bleach, and 1 gallon (128 fluid ounces) of water.
What types of cleaners should I use for other stains?
A list of commonly accepted cleaners is provided in the box below. Be sure to spot check any general or stain specific cleaner before using it on a large section of siding. After removing the stain, rinse thoroughly with water. Do not use cleaners containing organic solvents, undiluted chlorine bleach, liquid grease remover, nail polish remover, or furniture polish or cleaners. They can affect the surface of the siding.
General vinyl siding cleaners (e.g., Simple Green®, Nice & Easy®, Armor All®, etc.) can be used to clean dirt, bird droppings, and spider webs. Stain-specific cleaners are listed below. Rinse all cleaners with water before they dry.
Bubble Gum - Fantastik®, Murphy Oil Soap®, solution of vinegar (30%), water (70%) and Windex®
Crayon - Lestoil®
DAP (oil-based caulk) - Fantastik®
Felt-tip Pen - Fantastik®, water-based cleaners
Grass - Fantastik®, Lysol®, Murphy Oil Soap®, Windex®
Lithium (car) Grease - Fantastik®, Lestoil®, Murphy Oil Soap®, Windex® Motor Oil-Fantastik®, Lysol®, Murphy Oil Soap®, Windex®
Paint - Brillo® Pad, Soft Scrub®
Pencil - Soft Scrub®
Rust - Fantastik®, Murphy Oil Soap®, Windex®
Tar - Soft Scrub®
Top Soil - Fantastik®, Lestoil®, Murphy Oil Soap®
*Cleaning Materials are listed in alphabetical order. **SPI, VSI, or Vinyl Siding Zone do not endorse products or processes and makes no warranties for the products referenced herein. Reference to proprietary names is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to imply that there are not equally effective alternatives.
Cleaning Owens Corning Vinyl Siding
Cleaning Vinyl Siding Owens Corning vinyl siding is virtually maintenance free. However, any product exposed to the weather will require occasional cleaning. Normally, your Owens Corning vinyl siding can be cleaned by simply spraying it with an ordinary garden hose. If there are stubborn stains, try this:
Equip your garden hose with a soft-bristled, long-handle car brush. If a stain is particularly stubborn, the following cleaning solution may help: 1/3 cup powdered detergent (Fab®, Tide® or equivalent powdered detergent) 2/3 cup powdered household cleaner (Spic & Span® or equivalent powdered household cleaner) 1 gallon water
In certain parts of the country where mildew may be a problem, substitute one quart of 5% sodium hypochloride (household bleach) for one quart water in the above formula.
Cleaning with a pressure washer
If your vinyl siding has begun looking drab, dull and faded, clean it with a pressure washer.
Materials:
- Garden hose
- Safety glasses
- Duct tape
- Drop cloth
- Plastic sheeting
- Plastic bags
- Cleaning solution made with liquid detergent
- Pressure washer rated at 2,500 to 3,000 pounds per square inch (psi)
You can rent a pressure washer from an equipment-rental center for $50 to $75 per day. Use a 25-degree nozzle for good coverage that won't damage the vinyl siding.
Take precautions when using a power washer
Pressure washers generate very high pressure, so it's essential to take safety precautions when using them:
Use both hands when holding the spray nozzle Don't use pressure washers while standing on a ladder Never point the nozzle at anyone Always wear safety glasses. If you don't want to use a pressure washer, a couple of alternatives are available. You could use a mild detergent solution and wash the house by hand, but the process requires a lot of time and hard work. Another alternative is to use a home-washing kit that attaches to the garden hose, but the kits aren't as quick or as effective as pressure washers. First, cover anything you don't want the spray to hit. Cover lights and electrical fixtures with plastic bags, and secure them with duct tape. Cover any electrical outlets with plastic sheeting, and secure them with duct tape. Place drop cloths over any plants or shrubs near the house, and move any outside furniture away from the house.
Go around the house and check for trouble spots that are covered in mildew, mold or moss. To determine whether a trouble area is affected by mildew, apply a small amount of household bleach to the area. If it clears up, the problem is mildew. Pressure washers usually don't remove mildew, so you'll need to clean those areas by hand. Scrub off the mildew using a solution of 9 parts water and 1 part bleach. Attach a garden hose to an outside faucet, then attach the pressure washer to the hose. If the pressure washer has a soap feed, mix a mild solution of water and detergent in a bucket, then place the soap-feed tube in the bucket. Make sure the water is turned on, and start the pressure washer. Begin spraying the house, holding the nozzle at a 45-degree angle. Work from the bottom up, and move across the siding from side to side at a steady pace. When cleaning around windows, hold the nozzle at an angle, and direct the spray away from the windows. Rinse the siding with clear water. Work from the top down to prevent streaks. Before you return the pressure washer, take the time to clean decks, outdoor furniture, playground equipment, the garage floor and even garbage cans.
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