HOW TO CLEAN VINYL SIDING

Vinyl siding has been the leading exterior siding choice in the U.S. since 1995, and for good reason. Durable, versatile, and resilient, vinyl siding looks great for years with basic routine care and cleaning. It doesn't rot, it's not difficult to clean and maintain, and it's a sustainable material, making it the preferred siding choice for environmentally-conscious homeowners.

Washing vinyl siding can be quick and easy if you keep a semi-regular maintenance schedule. Simple Green Oxy Solve House and Siding Cleaner can help make the task even easier. This EPA Safer Choice Direct Release formula uses peroxide to brighten and renew surfaces without bleach, while removing dirt and stains from mold, mildew, moss, algae, chalking, and more. Use it for hand cleaning or in your pressure washer on vinyl siding as well as stucco, wood, brick, and aluminum siding.

It might be tempting to reach for laundry detergent to clean your siding since it's already under your sink, but it's not built for the job. Laundry detergent is formulated for porous fabrics, not vinyl siding. Its thickeners create a consistency too heavy for spray cleaning, and its enzymes need extended soak time to break down stains, unlike the quick contact time you get when cleaning siding with a peroxide-based product.

Follow the simple cleaning steps below to remove dirt, pollutants, grime, and stains from algae, mold, and mildew.

When in doubt about a surface, always spot test first. Be sure to check your siding warranty beforehand. Always follow the manufacturer's recommendation on proper cleaning practices.

Directions for Cleaning Vinyl Siding:

Pressure Washer Application

Use caution when using a pressure washer and cleaning around openings like windows, doors, lighting, and plumbing connections. Do not use high pressure, as it can damage your siding.

Before cleaning: Protect nearby plants and grass by rinsing them with water before and after pressure washing.

1. Rinse. Hose down the surface.
2. Add Simple Green. Pour full-strength Simple Green Oxy Solve House and Siding Cleaner into your pressure washer detergent tank, or drop your siphon tube into the product bottle.
3. Spray in sections. Apply Simple Green cleaning solution onto the siding in sections from bottom to top, using a low-pressure setting and a 25-40 degree nozzle tip. Make sure your pressure washer nozzle is pointed at the siding at a downward angle, keeping a minimum of 18 inches from the surface to avoid driving water beneath or behind the siding. Do not allow the product to dry onto the surface, or it will be harder to rinse off.
4. Rinse. Rinse well with clean water from top to bottom.

Manual Application

Follow the Before Cleaning information above.

1. Mix Simple Green solution. In a bucket or large container, mix 1.5 cups of Simple Green Oxy Solve House and Siding Cleaner in 2 gallons of water.
2. Rinse. Hose down the siding.
3. Scrub. Use a soft-bristle brush to apply the cleaning mixture in sections, scrubbing firmly enough to clean without damaging the siding surface. Don't allow it to dry between sections, or it will be harder to rinse off.
4. Rinse again. Rinse with a hose from top to bottom.

Note: Simple Green Oxy Solve House and Siding Cleaner is the ideal direct-release formula for your home exterior. If you don't have it on hand, Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner is safe for your pressure washer and works great, too.