How to Clean Vinyl Siding | Window World
Vinyl siding is one of the most attractive and easy to maintain building materials. Available in a wide range of colors and styles, vinyl siding from Window World is a high-performance product that adds to a home’s value and curb appeal.
While vinyl siding won’t crack or fade like wood siding or engineered wood siding, you will eventually need to clean it. Most homeowners add vinyl siding cleaning to their annual fall or spring household maintenance checklist and take care of it when they’re cleaning gutters and trimming their trees.
In this post from Window World Twin Cities, we’re covering everything you need to clean your vinyl siding and get it looking its best again. To learn more about vinyl siding solutions from Window World, give us a call or connect with us online.
The Appeal of Window World Vinyl Siding
For homeowners looking to update the look of their home or invest in a remodeling project, vinyl siding offers an appealing solution. At Window World, we offer a versatile selection of profiles and styles, all of which feature specially designed locking systems and double-thick nail hems.
Choose from one of these profiles:
● Triple 3” smooth
● Double 4” or 5” woodgrain
● Double 4.5” dutch lap woodgrain
● Single 6.5” traditional beaded woodgrain
⅝” Panel Projection
● Double 4” woodgrain or smooth
● Double 4.5” dutch lap
● Double 5” woodgrain
● Single 8” smooth
¾” Panel Projection
● Single 7” woodgrain
No matter what siding profile you install, cleaning it is easy. Like any outdoor home exterior product, vinyl siding can and will get dirty over time.
These are just some of the things that can accumulate on the outside of your home:
● Bird droppings
● Spider webs
● Mildew
● Herbicides
● Garage chemicals
● Other household products
Thankfully, one of the biggest draws with vinyl siding is how easy it is to clean.
Choosing the Right Vinyl Siding Cleaning Products
Like any good cleaning job, you want to start with the right materials. Choosing the right cleaning products can make a difference in how clean your siding gets. It’s also important to use a siding cleaner that won’t damage the vinyl.
Some cleaners can chemically react with the vinyl composition, so it’s important to use gentle cleaners with inorganic solvents and water-soluble surfactants. For example, water, hydrogen peroxide, and anything containing alkyl sulfates is gentle enough to use on your vinyl siding.
However, any products that are chemically similar to vinyl siding like petroleum ethers and organic solvents may damage the siding. For this reason, you’ll want to avoid using products containing benzene, acetone, and tetrahydrofuran. Any of these chemicals can distort the vinyl surface or cause cracking, streaking, yellowing, and haziness. Additionally, they can compromise the impact-resistant quality and color of the siding.
As long as you avoid those products, there really is no single best solution when it comes to siding cleaners. Anything from this list should do the job without damaging your siding:
● Simple Green
● OxiClean
● A solution made with 70% water and 30% white vinegar
● Products containing hydrogen peroxide
● A solution made using liquid dish soap
● A solution made using gentle laundry detergent
Next, you’ll need to choose a brush or cloth to clean any problem areas. The best product to use is a soft bristle cleaning brush with a long handle. However, a gentle microfiber cloth should work fine. Avoid using anything that could scratch or damage the surface of the vinyl.
Additionally, be sure to always work with a clean brush or cloth as dirt applied to the surface can be abrasive, scratching the vinyl surface. Be sure to rinse your brush or cloth constantly as you go.
Once you’ve gathered your materials, it’s time to start cleaning your siding. Choose a section of your siding to work on first. Begin by hosing down that area using a gentle garden hose spray. Direct the spray downward so water doesn’t get up into your siding or seep behind it from underneath.
Next, use a spray bottle to apply the cleaning product of your choice. Wet your cleaning brush or cloth and start wiping down your siding, working from left to right. Work in small sections to avoid the soap drying during the cleaning process.
Although some homeowners prefer to use a power washer to spray their siding clean, this should not be necessary. A gentler cleaning product and method will do the trick just fine without damaging your siding. Pressure washing your siding can actually damage your roof and siding materials, so it’s best to avoid it altogether.
Get Twin Cities Vinyl Siding Solutions
Are you ready to get easy-to-clean vinyl siding for your Twin Cities home? Check out some of our siding products on our Design Center, then call to connect with our siding pros at 651.770.5570 or contact us online to get your free quote today.
« Should You Replace Your Windows or Siding First?
How to Seal a Window Air Conditioner for Winter »
Beautiful Siding Color Combination Ideas