Cleaning Vinyl Siding

The beauty of vinyl siding is that it can be maintained with little effort.  Like anything exposed to the atmosphere, it will get dirty, but a heavy rain can do wonders.  Most manufacturers, as well as the Vinyl Siding Institute (VSI), recommend the use of a garden hose to wash off any dirt or stains on siding or trims.  But what if neither rain nor a simple hosing does the job?

1. Use a long-handled car washing brush with soft bristles that attaches to the end of a hose or to the Mallory Telescoping Flow-Thru Wash Brush.  Avoid stiff bristle brushes or abrasive cleaners, which may change the finish of the cleaned area, making the siding look spotty.
2. To remove toot and grime in industrial areas, wipe down with a commercial siding cleaner or make a solution of 1/3 cup powdered detergent and 2/3 cup powdered household cleaner or baking soda for each gallon of water.
3. If mildew is a problem, add 1 quart of bleach to the above solution.
4. When washing down your entire house, start at the bottom and work your way up to avoid streaking.

For Stubborn Stains:
Fantastic or Murphy’s Oil Soap: bubble gum, lipstick, crayon, topsoil
Fantastic, Murphy’s or Windex: grass, lithium grease, motor oil, rust
Vinegar (30%) and water (70%): mold and mildew, felt-tip pen marks

What’s in store

• Mallory Telescoping Flow-Thru Wash Brush
• Fantastic
• Lestoil
• Murphy’s Oil Soap
• Commercial Line Windex Cleaner