Cleaning your vinyl siding with a pressure washer can be a daunting task. But it doesn’t have to be! We will show you how to clean your vinyl siding quickly and easily using a pressure washer. We will also provide you with some recipes for a homemade vinyl siding cleaning solution that will get the job done right. Let’s get started!
Set Up Yourself and Your Space
First, you need to prepare yourself and the location where you’ll be working.
Make sure to wear clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty and closed-toe shoes. You’ll need protective clothing due to potentially abrasive chemicals.
You’ll also want to clear the area around your home of any obstacles, including lawn furniture, hoses, and kids’ toys. This will give you a clear area to work in and prevent any accidents.
Put tarps over plants you don’t want to get chemicals on and cover your air conditioner unit if it’s located near where you’ll be working.
Now you’re ready to start!
How to Pressure Wash Vinyl Siding
You will need a pressure washer and a vinyl siding brush attachment. You will also need a garden hose and a bucket. Fill the bucket with water and mix in your desired cleaning solution. Then, attach the garden hose to the pressure washer. Next, turn on the water at the spigot and let the pressure washer fill up with water.
Now you are ready to start cleaning! Begin at the bottom of your vinyl siding and work your way up. Be sure the pressure washer is pointed straight so that the water doesn’t go behind the siding. If you don’t have a vinyl siding brush attachment, you can also use a soft cloth and apply the cleaning solution by hand.
Once you have finished cleaning the vinyl siding, wash the siding with clean water from a garden hose. Be sure to remove all traces of cleaner before allowing the area to dry.
And that’s it! You’ve successfully cleaned your vinyl siding with a pressure washer.
Recipes for Homemade Vinyl Siding Cleaner
Now that you know how to clean vinyl siding with a pressure washer, let’s take a look at some recipes for homemade cleaning solutions that will get the job done right.
Basic Cleaner
You can use this basic cleaner recipe for ordinary dirt and regular cleaning jobs. Simply mix the ingredients together and apply them to the vinyl siding.
1/3 cup trisodium phosphate
1/3 cup powdered laundry detergent
1 gallon hot water
Remove Tough Dirt and Stubborn Stains
White vinegar is a stronger solution to try for tough dirt and stubborn stains. You can use it full strength or diluted with water, depending on the amount of cleaning needed. Our suggested recipe is below.
7 cups vinegar
1 gallon water
Clean Mold and Mildew
You will need a little more elbow grease to clean stubborn mold and mildew stains. This recipe is best used with a vinyl siding brush attachment on your pressure washer. Mix the following ingredients together and apply to the vinyl siding.
1/2 cup trisodium phosphate
1/3 cup powdered laundry detergent
1 quart bleach
1 gallon water
Remove Mold Spores
To get rid of light mold and mold spores so the mold does not come back, use this additional cleaning solution recipe:
1/2 teaspoon clove oil
2 quarts water
FAQs
Can I pressure wash my vinyl siding without a brush attachment?
You can, but a soft-bristled brush attachment will help to remove stubborn dirt and grime.
Can I use a power washer with any cleaner?
You should only use cleaners specifically designed for pressure washers. Using the wrong type of cleaner can damage your pressure washer.
How often should I pressure wash my vinyl siding?
We recommend pressure washing your vinyl siding at least once a year.
Is there a bleach that’s safe to use around plants?
Oxygen bleach is a safe alternative to chlorine bleach and is less harmful to plants.
What is the best bleach to use for vinyl siding?
Clorox has an outdoor bleach that is specifically designed for uses such as house siding.
Can you use undiluted chlorine bleach?
You should dilute any bleach solution because straight chlorine bleach can damage your vinyl siding.
Are there any other products to avoid?
You should avoid products such as nail polish remover, paint remover, paint thinner, liquid grease remover, furniture cleaner, furniture polish, and cleaners that contain organic solvents, as they can damage the vinyl siding’s surface.
What temperature water should I use?
Warm water is best for cleaning vinyl siding.
Conclusion
Cleaning your home’s exterior is a great way to maintain your home’s curb appeal. With a bit of elbow grease and the right cleaner, you can make your vinyl siding look like new again.
Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for your pressure washer and cleaner to avoid damaging your vinyl siding. And always test a small area before cleaning the entire surface.
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Jamey
Jamey is the founder of pressurewashr.com and has led testing and reviewing since 2013. He has also worked as a commercial pressure washer at a rendering plant for 3 years and has been using commercial and residential pressure washers for 15+ years. He is also a mechanical engineer and while working in the mining industry designed several turn-key light industrial vehicle wash pads.
FAQs
The Best Homemade Vinyl Siding Cleaner with a Pressure Washer - PRESSURE WASHR? ›
For a stronger solution, mix together one-third cup powdered laundry detergent, two-thirds cup powdered household cleaner, one quart liquid laundry bleach and one gallon of water.
What is the best mixture for pressure washing vinyl siding? ›For routine maintenance, Wade says, “It's best to use warm, soapy water (dish or laundry soap). Hot water can damage the siding. But, for extensive residue, mix a general-purpose cleaner or one-part Simple Green Oxy outdoor cleaner and 15-parts water (about one cup per gallon of water) and load in a power washer.
What is the best cleaner for pressure washing siding? ›Krud Kutter House and Siding Pressure Washing Concentrate
This cleaner is excellent for removing grime, mold, mildew, and other stains from vinyl siding.
To keep it truly simple, just squirt dish soap into a bucket of warm water and mix thoroughly. For vinyl siding or painted homes, you can add vinegar for extra cleaning power.
How do you remove oxidation from vinyl siding without scrubbing? ›Common household ingredients or products such as vinegar, dish soap, and bleach can be used for vinyl siding oxidation removal. To create a vinegar cleaning solution: mix 5 cups of vinegar with 1 gallon of water.
What not to do when pressure washing vinyl siding? ›Be careful not to spray directly at eaves, vents or light fixtures. High water pressure can knock out loose windowpanes or break them. Also, keep the angle of the wand pointing down so you don't spray up under the laps of horizontal siding. This will prevent the vinyl siding from buckling under pressure.
What is the best cleaner for oxidation on vinyl siding? ›Renu Cleaner Concentrate IS THE #1 Best cleaner for all outdoor products including vinyl siding, shutters, patio furniture, composite decking and much more.
Can you use Dawn powerwash to clean siding? ›Wash the Vinyl Siding on Your Home
Create a solution using Dawn and warm water to gently clean siding that's covered in dirt, moss, or mold. Coat the siding with the mixture, let it soak, and then hose it off.
Vinyl siding cleaners | General 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. |
---|---|
Paint cleaners | Brillo® Pad, Soft Scrub® |
A typical house wash can be done using 1 or 2, 5 gallon, buckets of mix. Start with a mix ratio of 1:1. This means for every gallon of bleach you use, add 1 gallon of water.
What detergent do you use with a pressure washer? ›
Use only detergents specifically designed for pressure washers, such as: Sun Joe® HOUSE +DECK WASH. Sun Joe® SNOW FOAM AUTO WASH. Sun Joe® HEAVY DUTY CLEANER.
What liquids to use for pressure washing? ›You can use almost any type of liquid soap or detergent with a pressure washer, although there are pressure washer-specific detergents for jobs of all types. Your pressure washer will have a siphon hose or basin of some type, which you fill with the desired soap.
How do you remove chalky film from vinyl siding? ›- Perform a quick rinse. Wash off dirt, dust, and debris with a garden hose. ...
- Mix a vinegar solution. Combine five cups of vinegar with one gallon of water. ...
- Apply the cleaner.
Wash the Vinyl Siding on Your Home
Create a solution using Dawn and warm water to gently clean siding that's covered in dirt, moss, or mold. Coat the siding with the mixture, let it soak, and then hose it off.
A 30% white vinegar combined with 70% water creates an all-purpose vinyl siding cleaner. Its main purpose is to diminish mildew stains and light molds.
What PSI should I power wash vinyl siding? ›Pressure washing vinyl siding can be tricky, so it is a good idea to start with a low-pressure level of about 1,000 PSI. Adjust the level as you see fit. If you do not have a pressure washer, a hose usually works as a good substitute.
What Clorox mixture for washing vinyl siding? ›Pour ⅓ cup of Clorox® Disinfecting Bleach into 1 gallon of water in a plastic bucket or container. Apply bleach solution using a brush or broom on horizontal surfaces, and a sponge or mop on vertical surfaces. Heavily soiled surfaces may require additional scrubbing. Wait 6 minutes for disinfecting.