How to Clean Vinyl Siding

Try water first

• Spray the siding with a garden hose.
• Scrub with a soft-bristled brush to remove debris.
  • Never use metal brushes or scrapers to clean vinyl siding. Vinyl is tough, but “it will scratch,” Dobson says.
• Rinse well. If the dirt rinses away, you’re done!

Protect brick and plants

• Cover brick facades that could absorb cleaning solution runoff.
• Spray foundation plants with a garden hose or cover them to reduce the absorption of cleaning solutions.

Pro tip: Don’t pile mulch against the foundation of your home. It’s not good for your foundation, and Dobson says rain and sprinklers can splash the mulch onto the vinyl siding, leaving a residue.

Clean general dirt, soot and grime

• Make a solution of 1/3 cup powdered detergent, 2/3 cup powdered household cleaner and one gallon of water.
• Wet the siding with a garden hose.
• Dunk the soft brush in the cleaner and scrub the siding.
• Work in sections from the bottom up to avoid streaks.
• Rinse well before the solution dries.

Pro tip: Clean your siding every couple of years or as needed, depending on your site conditions. Dusty or shady locations may need more frequent washing, even if it’s just a quick spray with a garden hose.

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Remove mold & mildew

• Add up to 1 quart liquid chlorine bleach to the general cleaning solution outlined above.
  • Never use more bleach than 1 quart per gallon of water.
  • Alternatively, make a solution of 30% white vinegar and 70% water.
• Wet the siding with a garden hose. “Typically, mold and mildew will be on one or two sides of a building where there’s less sun,” Dobson says, so concentrate your efforts there.
• Scrub the siding with the cleaning solution, working in sections from the bottom up.
• Rinse well before the solution dries.

Pro tip: Mold and mildew can grow on the surface of vinyl siding, but does not deteriorate or embed itself in the siding. Once you clean it off, the siding should be like new again.

Spot clean stains

• Clean first with the detergent solution. If stains remain, try a spot cleaner.
• Choose a cleaner based on the type of stain. PEPA suggests the following cleaners or their equivalents:
  • Paint, tar, oil or pencil: Soft Scrub or similar gentle abrasive
  • Lithium grease or motor oil: Murphy’s Oil Soap, Windex or Fantastik
  • Mold & mildew: Vinegar and water, Fantastik or detergent and diluted bleach
  • Rust and grass: Fantastik or Windex
  • Crayons: Lestoil

Pro tip: All of these PEPA-approved cleaners are safe for vinyl siding. Even if you don’t have the specific brand mentioned for your stain, it’s OK to try one you do have.

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Power wash vinyl siding

• Before power washing, check to see if your siding manufacturer recommends it. Always follow manufacturer instructions.
• Fill the power washer reservoir with a cleaner approved for vinyl siding.
• Fit the washer with a low-pressure nozzle. “You have to be careful with a power washer,” Dobson says, “because higher pressure can get behind the siding.”
• Spray the siding straight on, avoiding weep holes, seams and wall openings like pipes and windows.
  • If there’s a stain near one of these areas, “you’re going to do better with a soft-bristled brush than trying to blow it off with a power washer,” Brand says.
• Rinse well before the solution dries.

**PHOTO IDEA: https://www.familyhandyman.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/pressure-washer-hookup.jpg?fit=640%2C640

FAQs

Is cleaning vinyl siding worth it?

Yes. Cleaning vinyl siding makes your home look better and prolongs the life of your siding.

How much does it cost to replace vinyl siding?

According to PEPA, vinyl siding costs about $393 per “square,” which is equivalent to 100 square feet. That’s less than half the cost of wood siding and $250 less per square than cement fiber board. Dobson says a 2,000 sq. ft. home uses about 20 squares.

About the Experts

• Matt Dobson is the vice president of the Polymeric Exterior Products Association, an industry trade group that focuses on research and advocacy of vinyl siding and other exterior cladding products. He has more than 20 years of experience in vinyl siding, including launching the Revinylize Recycling Collaborative and establishing research protocols used to assess and improve hurricane-resistant installation.
• Alex Brand is the operations manager of workforce development at the Polymeric Exterior Products Association and an expert with PEPA’s Certified Installer Program, which ensures that vinyl siding installers are up-to-date on the latest methodology and installation techniques.