Welcome back to our blog! Here in the Northern Virginia area, we are enjoying the beautiful weather! Sometimes it seems as if we skipped spring and we went directly to summer, but we hear that next week will hold a lot of rain, so I guess we are still in Spring.
Nevertheless, we still have beautiful sunny days this spring, and if you are still doing your spring cleaning, we think this post could help you check off one task off your list. So next time we have a clear day, go outside and prepare to clean your vinyl siding.
Vinyl siding is the best siding you can get. It is durable, and it does not rot. But with the wind, snow, and rain it will get dirty after some time, so it still needs to be cleaned. Unfortunately, many homeowners believe that the only way to clean their siding is by pressure washing it. While pressure washing is a good way to clean it, you can also do it without a pressure washer.
Before you start cleaning your vinyl, close windows and doors, cover shrubs, plants and flowers, and make sure that any outside electrical units are turned off.
You can use laundry detergent or a vinegar solution for your siding. Gather your cleaning solution, buckets of water, a soft brush/sponge mop/towel, broom and a hose.
- Mix around 3-4 gallons of water with 1/4 of your laundry detergent. If you are using vinegar, follow the same measurements.
- Start by hosing down any loose dirt or debris from your siding. To avoid issues with mold, make sure that no water gets through the seams.
- Tape the broom and towel, sponge or brush to the broom. We want to have a long handle since you will be cleaning from top to bottom.
- Pick up your cleaning tool, dip it in the solution and start scrubbing from the top.
- The dirt will drain downwards, and you can hose it as it comes off.
- Repeat this several times until there is no dirt left.
- Remember to completely hose off the soap in order to avoid marks on your siding.
Tip: If there is mildew on your siding, you can use a mild mix of bleach and water.
As you can see, cleaning your siding does not require a pressure washer. You can make your own solution and your own tools. If you happen to notice any damage on your siding, give MidAtlantic Contracting a call, and we will be happy to help you!