How to Clean Vinyl Siding

Gather your cleaning supplies. Luckily, you should already have most of the supplies needed to clean your vinyl siding. If you have a large home, you may need to purchase a soft brush on a longer handle. Unless you have a "has every tool in the world" neighbor that will let you borrow one. Gather together the following supplies before you get started to make the job easier: garden hose, a hose nozzle, 5-gallon bucket, dish soap, rags or a sponge, a long-handled brush, a ladder, a handheld spray bottle, and oxygen bleach (if you believe that there may be mold on the siding).

Prepare the area for some serious vinyl siding cleaning. This is a simple job that can be unnecessarily dangerous. To avoid having to tell your friends that your limp is due to a cleaning injury, take the time to clear away hazards—like furniture and children's toys—before you start working. For extra security, turn off the power to any outside light fixtures and outlets, and even cover the outlets with plastic and duct tape.

Inspect your vinyl siding before washing. Take a look at your siding for damaged panels and have them replaced. You do not want water getting behind a cracked panel. During the inspection, if you notice any areas that have a dark buildup that could potentially be mold, start by cleaning it first. Use a nontoxic cleaner—an oxygen bleach and water mix, or a solution of vinegar and water—to spray on the mold. Scrub at the mold for a bit, and then rinse the remnants away. Only use chlorinated bleach if you think your significant other won't mind if you kill the landscaping.

Wash the vinyl siding. Fill your bucket halfway with water and add a few tablespoons of soap. For best results, you are going to want to clean sections that are approximately five feet across. Using a low or medium spray, wet the siding. Swish your sponge or rag in the soap solution, and clean the vinyl siding with a side-to-side motion. I tend to start at the bottom and work my way up the section to avoid streaking. With tall houses, you may need to make use of a ladder or a longer handle to reach higher areas.

The repetitive process of cleaning siding. After you complete a section of vinyl siding, rinse it thoroughly, slide over, and begin the process all over again on the next section. Be mindful of any dirty spray off getting onto a section you already finished. Remember, scrubbing vinyl siding should not break your back. Don't overdo it. If you need to quit for the day, go for it. Barring a tornado or falling tree, your siding is not going to go anywhere.

Extra cleaning tips to protect your vinyl siding. Try not to point the water stream at the edges of the vinyl siding or spray in an upward direction. You do not want to force water behind the siding as it can cause possible damage to the home. If you also decide that you need to use a harsh cleaning product, test it first in a discrete area to view the effect on the siding. Turning your tan house a nice shade of peach is usually not ideal.

The risks of power washing vinyl siding. So, you are one of those with unusually filthy siding. Be aware: there are many things that can go wrong using a power washer. You could damage the vinyl siding if the power washing is performed incorrectly. Or you can damage yourself, like me. Take it from firsthand experience, wear shoes and goggles while using a pressure washer. And never, ever let the stream hit your bare toes—it is a mistake you will never make twice.

Follow directions precisely. Previously, I advised not pointing the water stream at the edges of the siding or spraying in an upward direction. Multiply that statement by three when working with a power washer. Make sure you read the directions provided with the power washer, but I recommend standing a good three feet away from the siding. Use a water pressure between 1200‒1500 psi, and attach a 25-degree nozzle. Overall, it may be more efficient on your watch and wallet to hire a company that knows what they are doing with a power washer.