Are you sick of seeing the dirt and grime that has built up on the outside of your house?
Do you want to bring back the beauty of the outside of your house?
If so, you have come to the right place. Cleaning your home’s siding is an important part of keeping it looking nice and keeping it safe from damage. If you don’t take care of your siding, you could end up with expensive fixes and a drop in your home’s value. But don’t worry, we’ll take care of you!
In this article, I’ll show you how to clean your siding like a pro with our best tips and tricks. So, let’s get a cup of coffee and get started!
Siding Cleaning
Cleaning Vinyl Siding
Vinyl siding is a popular choice among homes because it is easy to clean and requires little upkeep.
You only need a bucket of soapy water, a soft bristle brush, and an outdoor hose to clean vinyl siding.
Dish soap or regular laundry detergent can be used to clean well.
Just use your hands to spread the soapy mixture on the siding, and then rinse it well with clean water from the yard hose.
Don’t rinse open areas with high pressure or for a long time, and keep cleaning solutions away from objects and surfaces that aren’t going to be cleaned.
Cleaners like Simple Green, Nice & Easy, and Armor All can be used to get rid of dirt, bird poop, and spider webs on vinyl flooring.
To get rid of tough spots like mildew, rust, and oil, you can use cleaners that are made for that kind of stain.
When you mix 30% white vinegar and 70% water, you get an all-purpose cleaner for vinyl flooring that can get rid of mildew stains and light dirt.
But you should test any general or stain-specific cleaner on a small area of siding before using it on a big section.
Power washing vinyl or polymer flooring is not a good idea because it can cause water to get in, damage, or change the color.
Use a house wash that hooks up to your hose instead.
Pressure washing seems like a good idea, but the Vinyl Siding Institute (VSI) suggests cleaning vinyl siding with a soft cloth or a regular, long-handled, soft-bristled brush.
Cleaning vinyl flooring once a year will keep it looking like new.
Cleaning Other Outdoor Surfaces
There are other outdoor areas besides vinyl siding that need to be cleaned. Here are some tips for cleaning other areas outside:
- Brick: Use a mixture of water and vinegar or a commercial brick cleaner to remove dirt and stains. Scrub with a soft-bristled brush and rinse with a garden hose.
- Concrete: Use a pressure washer or a mixture of water and trisodium phosphate to remove stains and dirt. Scrub with a stiff-bristled brush and rinse with a garden hose.
- Wood: Use a mixture of water and oxygen bleach or a commercial wood cleaner to remove dirt and stains. Scrub with a soft-bristled brush and rinse with a garden hose.
Why Cleaning the Exterior of Your Home is Important
It’s important to keep the outside of your house clean for a number of reasons.
First, if you wait long enough, plants will grow and trash, grime, bird and bug droppings, and mold will build up on the outside of your house.
This can weaken your home’s foundation over time, which can lead to expensive repairs down the road.
Second, mold and mildew grow slowly on the outside of your home.
They can damage the surface of your house and even eat away at things like wood.
Third, cleaning the outside of your house can make it look better and, in the long run, increase its worth.
Fourth, washing the outside of your house can keep you from getting sick by getting rid of mold and mildew that have grown on the outside.
Lastly, you should clean the outside of your house before painting it again because a smooth, even finish is important for a paint job that will last and look good.
Why Roof Cleaning is Essential for Maintaining Your Home’s Exterior
When it comes to cleaning outdoor surfaces, many homeowners tend to overlook their roofs.
However, neglecting your roof can lead to a buildup of dirt, debris, and even harmful algae and mold.
Not only does this detract from your home’s curb appeal, but it can also cause damage to your roof over time.
Regular roof cleaning can help prevent these issues and extend the lifespan of your roof.
It can also improve the overall appearance of your home and increase its value.
Plus, a clean roof can help improve energy efficiency by reflecting sunlight and reducing heat absorption.
While some homeowners may attempt to clean their roofs themselves, it’s important to hire a professional to ensure the job is done safely and effectively.
A professional roof cleaning service will have the necessary equipment and expertise to thoroughly clean your roof without causing any damage.
Don’t neglect your roof when it comes to outdoor surface cleaning.
Keep it clean and well-maintained to protect your home and enhance its appearance.
For more information:
Roof Cleaning 101: Importance, Methods, Costs & More
Siding Materials and Cleaning Process
Siding is the safe and aesthetically pleasing covering that goes on the outside of a house or other building.
There are different kinds of siding, such as fiber cement, vinyl, aluminum, wood, metal, marble, and EIFS.
Each type of siding needs to be cleaned in a certain way to keep it from getting damaged.
Cleaning Process for Different Siding Materials
- Fiber Cement Siding: Fiber cement siding can be cleaned using a garden hose, a soft-bristled brush, and a cleaning solution made of water and mild detergent.
- Vinyl Siding: Vinyl siding can be cleaned using a garden hose, a soft-bristled brush, and a cleaning solution made of water and general cleaners such as Simple Green, Nice & Easy, or Armor All. To clean vinyl siding, mix a general-purpose cleaner into a bucket of warm water for a cleaning solution that’s great for cleaning dirt, dust, and grime. If you’re targeting mold and mildew, create a solution containing 70% water and 30% white vinegar. If you need something heavy-duty, try a commercial house siding cleaner. Apply the solution and clean the siding using a soft-bristled brush or microfiber cloth, then rinse off with a spray from a garden hose. To prevent damage to your vinyl siding, avoid using abrasive materials or scrubbing too hard.
- Aluminum Siding: Aluminum siding can be cleaned using a garden hose, a soft-bristled brush, and a cleaning solution made of water and mild detergent.
- Wood Siding: Wood siding can be cleaned using a garden hose, a soft-bristled brush, and a cleaning solution made of water and mild detergent. However, wood siding requires extra care to avoid damaging the material.
- Metal Siding: Metal siding, such as steel or aluminum, can be cleaned using a garden hose, a soft-bristled brush, and a cleaning solution made of water and mild detergent.
- Limestone Siding: Limestone siding requires a soft washing technique to avoid damaging the material. Soft washing uses low-pressure water and a cleaning solution to remove dirt and stains from the surface.
- EIFS Siding: EIFS siding, which is a synthetic stucco material, requires a gentle cleaning process to avoid damaging the material.
Tools and Equipment Required for Cleaning Outdoor Surfaces
In addition to cleaning products, you’ll need the following tools and equipment to clean outdoor surfaces:
- Bucket
- Nylon scrub pad
- Soft-bristle brush
- Sponge
- Garden hose
- Pressure washer
- Wands
- Tips
- Pressure washing hoses
- Ladders
- Tarps
- Chemical sprayer or applicator
- Telescoping wand(s)
- External injection tool (optional)
- Buckets (1 gallon and 5 gallon)
- Extension cord
- Gas can
- Rags
- Safety equipment (glasses, respirators, gloves, (along with others))
- Basic tools (hammer, punches, cordless drill, (along with others))
Cleaning Vinyl Siding
A few tools and supplies are needed to clean vinyl flooring.
You’ll need a bucket, a nylon scrub pad, a soft-bristled brush, a sponge, and an outdoor hose to clean vinyl siding.
Unger Professional sells the best brushes, squeegees, microfiber cloths, telescopic poles, and much more for cleaning vinyl siding.
Trisodium phosphate (TSP), a big bucket, a water flow pole, and a soft scrub brush like the Unger ProfessionalTM 10″ HydroPowerTM Soft Brush with Squeegee are what you need to clean vinyl flooring.
You can clean without a ladder if you use the Unger Professional HydroPowerTM Pole.
You should also be able to rinse off the cleaning solution with a yard hose.
Cleaning Solutions and Techniques
Vinyl Siding Cleaning
Vinyl siding is a popular choice for homes because it lasts a long time and doesn’t need much upkeep.
To clean vinyl flooring, you can mix Dawn Dish Soap, Soft Scrub, or another all-purpose cleaner with warm water.
Dirt, dust, and grime can also be cleaned with a mixture of 70% water and 30% white vinegar.
Use an industrial house siding cleaner like Wet & Forget Roof and Siding Cleaner or Simple Green’s House and Siding Cleaner to get rid of tougher stains.
But it’s important not to use rough materials that could damage the vinyl siding’s surface.
To clean vinyl flooring, begin at the bottom and work your way up the length.
Use a soft-bristled cleaning brush and the cleaning solution to scrub the whole length of each lap.
Use a garden hose to rinse off each area before it dries to avoid streaks.
A outdoor hose attachment or a soft-bristled brush can help you reach places that are hard to get to.
Aluminum Siding Cleaning
The way to clean aluminum siding and the products used are the same as for vinyl siding.
After giving the siding a quick rinse with an outdoor hose, the surface can be cleaned by hand with a soft brush or cloth and cleaning products.
To keep the siding from getting damaged or getting water trapped in it, it is important to rinse cleaning products well.
Annual Cleaning of Siding
All types of flooring should be cleaned once a year to get rid of dirt, grime, and mildew.
Cleaning siding gets rid of the dirt and bacteria that make it wear out faster.
Most experts say that vinyl flooring should be cleaned once or twice a year so that dirt and other harmful things don’t build up on the walls.
Vinyl siding with dark colors may need to be cleaned more than once a year.
Vinyl siding with bright colors may need to be cleaned more often.
Every 6 to 12 months, you should clean fiber cement flooring.
Cleaning Techniques
Start with a bucket of warm, soapy water to clean walls.
Trisodium phosphate (TSP) should be mixed with one gallon of water.
Use your hands to spread the soapy mixture on the siding, and then use a garden hose to fully rinse the siding with clean water.
Scrub each piece of siding from the bottom up with a soft-bristled brush on a long handle.
Don’t rinse open areas with high pressure or for a long time, and keep cleaning solutions away from objects and surfaces that aren’t going to be cleaned.
Do not use a pressure washer on vinyl or polymer flooring because it can let water in, cause damage, or change the color.
Use a house wash that hooks up to your hose instead.
Signs and Safety
Keeping the outside of your home clean is important for keeping its look and value.
Siding is an important part of the outside of your house, and it can get dirty and stained over time.
Here are a few signs that you need to clean your siding:
- Dull and dirty appearance: If your siding looks dirty and greasy, it may be time to call in professionals for pressure washing.
- Visible dirt: Dirt and grime can accumulate on your siding after years of weather and seasonal change, making it appear in far worse condition than it actually is.
- Stains: Stains on your siding can cause premature wear and tear, making it important to clean them as soon as possible.
- Higher energy bills: Dirt and grime can build up on your siding, causing it to absorb more heat and making your home less energy-efficient.
Taking care of the outside of your home on a regular basis, like cleaning the siding, can help you avoid problems like mold, rot, water leaks, and bowing walls.
If you don’t know how to clean your walls well, you should hire a professional to do the pressure washing for you.
When to Clean Your Siding
Cleaning your siding should be a part of your overall plan for home care.
It can help your siding last longer and keep the outside of your home looking nice.
Depending on where you live, cleaning the outside of your house once a year may be enough.
But if you live near a construction site or a lot of open areas, your siding might get dirty faster.
Professional Siding Cleaning Services
If you’re not sure how to clean your siding, you might want to hire someone who knows how to clean fiber cement siding.
With the help of professional siding cleaning services, you can get rid of dirt, grime, and other things that can make the outside of your home look dull and dirty.
Professional cleaning can also make your flooring last longer and protect it from things like rotting, fading, and mold growth.
DIY Siding Cleaning
There are things you can buy at the store to help you clean your walls if you’d rather do it yourself.
Simple Green siding cleaning works well on wood siding, and a mixture of a cup of oxygen bleach and a gallon of water is an eco-friendly way to clean vinyl siding.
When you clean your siding, you need to use the right tools and methods to get rid of all the buildup, dirt, and grime so that your siding looks clean and nice.
If you try to clean your vinyl siding yourself and don’t see any changes, you should talk to an expert who knows how to clean vinyl siding well.
Siding Maintenance
Cleaning your siding is an important part of keeping the outside of your home in good shape.
You can make your siding last longer and protect your house from damage by keeping it clean.
But it’s important to be safe so you don’t hurt yourself or damage your property.
When you clean your siding, keep these things in mind:
Safety Tips
- Wear appropriate attire: Wear comfortable and washable clothing, closed-in shoes, rubber gloves, and safety goggles to protect your eyes from falling debris.
- Avoid high-pressure rinsing: High-pressure rinsing can cause moisture intrusion, damage, and/or discoloration to your siding. Instead, use a garden hose to rinse your siding.
- Keep cleaning solution off surrounding fixtures and surfaces: Avoid prolonged or high-pressure rinsing of open ventilated areas and keep cleaning solution off surrounding fixtures and surfaces not scheduled for washing.
- Use the correct products: Select a cleaning detergent that your machine manufacturer recommends and one that is safe for your siding. Depending on the job you are doing, all-purpose detergent is very effective in removing hard-to-clean mildew and grime.
- Test a small area first: Before using any cleaning solution or detergent, test a small area of your siding to make sure it doesn’t cause damage or discoloration.
Maintaining Your Siding
After you clean the siding on your house, it’s important to keep it clean to protect your home and make it last longer.
Pollen, spider webs, mold, and mildew are all things that can build up on your siding and make it look dirty.
To keep your siding clean, you can hand-clean the surface with a soft-bristled brush or cloth and cleaning products.
Cleansing products should always be rinsed off the walls before they dry.
Cleaning Vinyl Siding
You can make a cleaner out of soap and water to clean vinyl flooring.
When mixed with warm water, a general-purpose cleaner like Dawn Dish Soap or Soft Scrub can be used to clean dirt, bird poop, and spider webs.
Mix 70% warm water and 30% white vinegar in a bucket.
Use a soft-bristled brush to scrub the walls with the mixture.
Cleaning Wooden Siding
You can clean wooden panels with oxygen bleach.
Before putting oxygen bleach all over the house, it’s best to test it on a small area of siding to make sure it’s safe.
Preventing Dirt and Stains
You can keep dirt and spots from building up on your siding by doing things like trimming the trees and bushes around your house, cleaning the gutters, and fixing leaks.
How often you need to clean and maintain your type of siding will depend on where your home is, what the weather is like, and what chemicals are in the air.
By following these tips, you can keep your walls clean and keep your house safe.
Final reflections and implications
In the end, cleaning the outside walls of your house isn’t just about keeping it looking nice. It’s about protecting your investment and making sure your home lasts as long as possible. If you don’t take care of your siding, you may have to pay for expensive fixes and even see the value of your home drop. But it’s also about being proud of your home and showing the people around you that you care about how your neighborhood looks.
Think about it: what do you notice when you drive through a neighborhood? Is it the houses with dirty, dull siding or the ones with clean, bright siding? It’s clear what to do. Not only does a well-kept home look better, but it also gives people a good image of you.
So, next time you think about not cleaning your siding, keep in mind that it’s not just about the job at hand. It’s about the bigger picture and how it affects your home, your neighborhood, and your sense of pride. Spend some time and money on the outside of your home, and you’ll be glad you did for years to come.
Looking for a new Pressure washer?
Choosing a gadget can be very difficult if you know nothing about the technology.
Some will pay for features they do not need while others may not consider what they really want.
So I created this quick, newbie guide to help you focus on what is really important to you:
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What are some ways you can keep the outside of a house clean?
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Links and references
- Vinyl Siding Institute’s Vinyl Siding Installation Manual
- inspectapedia.com
- certainteed.com
- meninkilts.com
- familyhandyman.com
- houselogic.com
- modernize.com
My article on the topic:
Exterior Cleaning 101: Pressure Washers
To-do for myself: (Article status: specification)
