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Cleaning Siding the DIY Way

By April 2, 2021 May 5th, 2021 No Comments

Cleaning Siding the DIY Way. Vinyl siding is nice-looking, durable, and requires little maintenance. That is why it is so popular. 

If you take a walk around any Hattiesburg MS neighborhood, you will see that it is widely used. And this trend will not disappear soon.

Cleaning Siding the DIY Way

According to the Census Bureau, the most common exterior cladding in the U.S. is vinyl siding. Up to 27 percent of the single-family homes that started in 2015 used this material. Stucco follows it at 25 percent and brick or brick veneer at 22 percent.

Especially in New England and the Mid-Atlantic regions, vinyl siding is popular. From the total of houses starting in 2015, 70 percent of them have vinyl siding.

We said that it is low maintenance. But, it is not everlasting. Vinyl siding requires periodical cleaning.  Besides, weather elements can have a harsh impact. Sun rays, rain, hail, snow, scorching heat, and freezing temperatures can deteriorate even the most resistant external covering.

Environmental elements contribute to dirt accumulation. Besides, in humid climates, mildew and mold can grow. But, vinyl siding manufacturers have good news for you. It is easy to clean!

You won’t need to buy a power washer or hiring a professional. 

It will only require a little of your time, cleaning products, and you to sweating for a little while. You can find the cleaning materials in your garage, and you will put the rest by yourself.

In this sense, we’ll provide you some valuable tips on how to clean your siding. So, you will make your home exterior looking like new quickly.

Signs your vinyl siding requires cleaning:

Take this statement as a rule: you should clean your home siding at least once a year.

The following elements will overshadow your siding appearance. Even it can bring you bigger problems later. Therefore, you should be attentive to any of them appearing on your siding to remove them:

  • Dirt, 
  • Pollen, 
  • Spider webs, 
  • Grime, and especially
  • Mold and mildew

Before getting started: 

  • Cover your garden to avoid cleaning products damaging it. 
  • Move any furniture, toys, and other objects away from the working area.
  • Prevent water from getting into your home by closing windows and doors.
  • Be careful with outdoor electrical outlets or lights. Cover them with plastic or tape and turn them off.
  • If you do the work on a sunny day, the spots can dry quickly and unevenly. Hence, choose an overcast or cloudy day.
  • Get the required materials and tools. Gather some clean rags, vinegar, detergent, bleach, a large pocket, a garden hose with a spray nozzle, and a soft bristle brush.
  • Be safe: You must protect your skin, face, and eyes from the chemical cleaners. So, use a face mask, safety goggles, rubber gloves, closed-toed shoes, and long-sleeved shirts and pants.

Techniques to Get the Best Clean

The best cleaning starts by using the right tools. 

Take your garden hose and set the spray nozzle to medium with a wide spray. Start spraying from the bottom and continue up. Then, reverse from the top back down. Move the spray constantly. 

You will remove most of the grime and dirt, hosing it down while avoiding damaging the siding. Besides, if any dirt gets difficult, use a bristle brush or rag to rub it.

Did you find stubborn grime and dirt? You can use a soft bristle brush, mild detergent, or any cleaning solutions mentioned below.

Apply the cleaning solution or detergent. Again, you will work from the bottom, working your way up. Let the solution sitting on the siding for 10 minutes before rinsing. Start from the bottom up and then from the top down.

To avoid leaving residues, do not forget to keep moving the nozzle rinsing the soapy water away before it dries.

Some Homemade Recipes

Often, we find some stains and grime tough to eliminate. In these cases, you want to avoid damaging your siding. But, you don’t want to call a professional, buy a power washer, or use harsh chemicals neither.

Don’t worry, next, we’ll give you have some solutions.

  • General-purpose cleaning solution: 

You can get some useful tips about siding cleaning on the website The Today’s Homeowner with Danny Lipford. One of these tips is this general purpose cleaning solution:

You will need:

  • A large bucket
  • 1/3 cup of laundry detergent
  • 2/3 cup of TSP cleaner (you’ll find it in your local hardware store)
  • One gallon of water

Mix the detergent and the TSP cleaner with water. Then, softly scrub the vinyl siding with the solution using a long-handled brush or a brush with an extender. Finally, rinse well.

  • Mold and mildew solution:

Specialists from HouseLogic.com recommend this formula. Also, you should protect your eyes and plants when using this solution.

Materials required:

  • A large bucket
  • Bleach
  • Water
  • A sprayer pump
  • A soft bristle brush

Mix one-part bleach to four parts water in the bucket. Apply the solution to affected areas using the pump. Allow the solution to sit for 10 minutes, and then scrub with the brush. Rinse well, starting from top to bottom and back up again. 

  • Natural cleaning solutions:

Materials required:

  • A large bucket
  • Vinegar
  • Water

Mix 30 percent of vinegar to 70 percent of water. Then, rinse well, beginning from top to bottom and back up again. 

According to DoItYourself.com, this cleanser has the advantage of eliminating most mold and mildew.  

“Not only is vinegar safe to use around pets and children, but its grease-cutting and acidic properties make it an ideal cleaner.”

Another recommendation from this website is to use hydrogen peroxide is another natural solution. You can mix it with water to clean the siding.

Are you thinking about installing or replacing your vinyl siding? Then, choose Matlock Siding.

By cleaning and maintaining your siding every year, you’ll extend its lifespan. Moreover, it will uphold its appearance as well as your home value. 

When the moment to replace your vinyl siding arrives, contact Matlock Roofing & Construction. Call at 601-299-4048 or schedule a consultation online.

We are a proud member of the Matlock Roofing & Construction family of brands. Its reputation for home improvement excellence has led the MATLOCK name to be synonymous with quality, value, and trust across the Hattiesburg, MS area.

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