Vinyl siding is the versatile, resilient, and durable building material that is used nearly in every project. However, some routine cleaning is still required. With the growing popularity of vinyl siding, it is an undisputed fact that it’s one of a kind material.
The U.S. Census Bureau indicated that this material had been one of the best exterior cladding since 1995 in the U.S. no matter how popular vinyl is, there are a lot many households that stand skeptical when it comes to cleaning it.
Being an exteriorly-placed product, there are a lot of chances for it to holdup grit, dirt, and stains. These are on account of stuff like bird droppings, pollen, dust, and spider webs. If the areas are moist and shady, the chances of mildew and mold buildup are high too.
Certain other factors, like the herbicides, fertilizers, and insecticides, have a discoloring potential on vinyl. Commonly used household items are also an ominous threat to conventional vinyl. These include driveway sealant, motor oil, paint, and caulking.
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The question that arises is how to clean vinyl without scrubbing. We might have some helpful tips for you:
Table of Contents
Cleaning vinyl siding:
To you luck, cleaning of vinyl siding is not a hard task. There is a wide variety of cleaning aids that are currently doing the job best for you. The Vinyl siding institute states that a soft cloth or long-handled brush with soft bristles is the best way to clean it.
To avoid streaking, go in the direction of bottom till the top. At the same time, rinse thoroughly to remove any residue that is leaving behind.
What do you need to prepare?
Safety comes first, and so will it in this case. Before you start, make sure all the safety gear is up to the mark. At the same time, ensure the safety of the items alongside the siding. This will help you prevent any bigger messes. Be sure to follow this safety guide before starting the cleanup:
1. Safety gear:
The work will be involving the handling of some chemicals, therefore keep a pair of gloves, an extra pair of gloves, safety goggles, comfortable clothing, closed-toe shoes, and a face mask to start with. These will respectively lessen the chances of exposure and irritation to the skin, eyes, and nose.
2. Property and plant protection:
You will need to remove anything that is in the territory of the vinyl siding cleanup. This includes plants, outdoor furniture, or hangings. Next, close the doors and windows that may carry the aerosols inside. If the plants are massive and can’t be removed, cover them with plastic wraps. Cover the electrical units and lights as well.
3. Selection of the day:
You need to plan the activity on a day that is not sunny, not too humid. If not taken care of, the direct sunlight will quickly dry spots and make them appear rough and unfinished.
What items do you need for cleaning?
- A vinyl siding cleaner
- Garden hose
- For Pressure washer (white vinegar, water, bucket)
- Ladder
Why is cleaning a vinyl siding necessary?
The vinyl siding at your home is the support to keep your home safe from bad weather and increasing energy efficiency. It is also one of the essential designing elements at your home. The cleaner it is, the shinier and valued appearance it imparts to your house.
If you don’t maintain proper cleaning, the siding will most likely let water enter through it. This will, in turn, favor the growth of mold, rotting of wood, and other damages interiorly.
We have an extensive guide on cleaning floor grout without scrubbing. Have a look!
How to begin?
Now that you know the need to clean and the items to do it let’s move to the actual cleaning process. There are two methods that you can opt for accurate results:
1. Vinyl siding cleaner:
Start by attaching the vinyl cleaner to the garden hose. Test out the results at a small hidden spot to see if it’s discoloring the siding or not. Once you feel content by the results, spray the cleaner of the entire siding. Now let it sit for almost 15 minutes.
If you have a two-story house or large sides, go and grab a ladder. Climb up and start spraying at the higher areas. At first, the cleaner will appear to be a waste of money with no instant effects. Don’t be sad or mad. Please wait for it to sit and reach your conclusions after it.
Now is the time to rinse the cleaner with water. Wash thoroughly and find the remaining defects or stains. If you don’t see anything, you’re good to go. If there is an area remaining, repeat the process over there in a detailed manner.
2. Pressure washer:
You will have to look out for a pressure washer that has a compartment to add soaps and detergents. There are certain products that are specifically made to be sued with pressure washers. It is necessary because some materials tend to destroy the machine. Water solely can’t do the job for you. You might be needing vinegar with it.
Start by turning the pressure washer on, with the lowest pressure stream. With that in mind, stand a bit far from the surface of the vinyl siding to avoid damaging it with extreme pressure. Slowly and gradually, you can increase the pressure, but the accurate distance should be maintained at all times.
Now let the material sit and work. After a few minutes, clean the whole material up with water. Make sure you don’t leave the cleaning material on for long as that will dry up and leave a roughened scummy texture behind.
Verdict:
By following the steps mentioned above, you will know how to clean vinyl siding without scrubbing. To keep your vinyl siding steady for a long time, cleaning and maintenance are necessary. Remember to clean it small steps to avoid creating bigger and worse messes.
The ideal way to do it is by sectioning the house and working section wise. It will be easier if you clean it often. If not, the more the dirt, the harder it will be to clean the vinyl siding.
