How to Clean Vinyl Siding

How to Clean Vinyl Siding: Prevention, Tips, and Safety

Durable Siding installed on home
With our help, your vinyl siding can look like this!

Many homeowners wonder how to maintain the beautiful new look of vinyl siding as time goes on. For the most part, siding requires little maintenance. But, like all aspects of a home, it’s important to get ahead of the process before your house becomes an unsightly stand-out among the neighborhood. Luckily, we have various strategies on how to clean your vinyl siding with preventative measure, professional and amateur tools, and and a little bit of chemistry. These approaches will ensure a swift and satisfying result.

The following links will allow you to skip to specific sections to ensure you find what you’re looking for:

Winter Prevention

Home with new siding in winter
This home toughs out the winter with vinyl siding from AWS!

As summer rolls in, homeowners start to spend their days outside basking in the emerging sunlight. But, this relaxation can be ruined by the unmistakable sight of dirty vinyl siding. In order to have spotless summer vinyl siding, you should start in the winter.

It’s hard to drag your body out into the cold northeastern winter, but cleaning then will make less work in the future. Frequent cleanses reduce the accumulation of dirt and other threats to your vinyl siding. It’s easier to handle a few small washes instead of one overwhelming clean.

Cleaning Tools

Hose

Power-Washing Vinyl Siding

While power-washing may seem like the obvious answer, it can be a double edged sword. You want to was your home thoroughly, without damaging the siding. Double check with the installer or siding manufacturer before you take aim at your home in a bid to obtain clean vinyl siding to make sure this solution won’t become another problem.

Power-washing sure looks fun, it’s dangerous as well. To prevent damage to both your home and yourself, make sure you follow all instructions carefully and take the proper precautions before operating a power-washer. No injury is worth the price of clean vinyl siding.

This option is typically the last resort and may be overkill depending on the amount of dirt on your vinyl siding. If you feel uncomfortable with the idea of power-washing, our other methods are more suited for a less intense experience.

Home Cleaning Products

If a power washer is too intense, more accessible tools exist to make sure your siding is flawless. Most of these products probably reside in your home already, so you don’t worry about rushing to the store.

A long-handled, soft-bristled brush remains the best bet when it comes to cleaning vinyl siding. Once you pair this brush with a hose and bucket, you’ve got your tools! Next we’ll tell you how to utilize these tools to keep your vinyl siding nice and neat.

How to Clean Vinyl Siding

Brand New Vinyl Siding on Home
Another AWSome example of vinyl siding which looks clean and new!

Homemade Vinyl Siding Cleaner

To clean the vinyl siding, first you need a trusty liquid solution to destroy your dirt. Use your hose to fill a bucket 3/4s of the way up with water. Then fill the other 1/4 of the bucket up with chlorine bleach. You can also use a 1/3 cup of laundry soap, 2/3 cup of powdered detergent, and a gallon of water or a solution made with 30% vinegar and 70% water.

The Best Way to Clean Vinyl Siding

The most efficient way to clean vinyl siding is to work from the bottom up. This method prevents unwanted streaking and the running of stains. Simply use your brush to start along the bottom edge of your vinyl siding and work upwards.

Once you’re done, rinse all off the homemade solution off before it dries. You don’t want to spend your time perfecting your vinyl siding only to have dry solution ruin all your hard work! If you have brick near your vinyl siding, make sure to cover it in order to avoid damage from run-off.

Vinyl Siding Discoloration

Many homeowners worry about the discoloration of their home. While a certain amount of fading is expected due to the exposure of elements, routine maintenance will help the siding keep its new look for a longer period off time. These cleanings rejuvenate the vinyl siding from assault of time, weather, and direct sunlight.

Vinyl Siding Safety

Barbecue Grill

Once you’ve achieved immaculate vinyl siding, you’ll probably spend a little more time outside just to admire the results of your hard work. But make sure to be safe and responsible around your siding.

Vinyl siding can melt if it is exposed to a certain amount of heat. But this should not be a cause for worry, as The Vinyl Siding Institute asserts that while vinyl is a combustible material, it will not readily ignite unless exposed to flames from an existing fire. There is no need to fear your siding, just make sure to exercise appropriate caution. All grills, barbecuing equipment, and fire pits should stay a safe distance away from your siding. When you’re using any device which requires an open flame, make sure you’re far enough away to admire the view of your clean vinyl siding.

Overall, there are many ways to clean vinyl siding from power-washing to using homemade cleaners. Choose whatever tactic you feel the most comfortable with and make sure your home’s vinyl siding stays safe and clean under your care.

Vinyl siding is the leading material used for siding in the United States. Advanced Window Systems, LLC leads the vinyl siding industry with innovative technology and design. Contact us at 1-800-CALL-AWS to schedule a free in-home estimate today. Check us out on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest too!

Source: Vinyl Institute

Written by Alex Buonocore

Categories

Select a Product:

Easy Financing

0%

Interest
for 1 Year
Join 10K+ Homeowners Who Made the Upgrade!

If you want the best Vinyl Replacement Windows for your home in Connecticut or Western Massachusettscontact us today at 1-800-CALL-AWS to schedule your free in-home estimate!