Vinyl siding is the most popular of siding material for a home’s exterior. It is durable, it comes in a range of styles and colors, and it gives an attractive appearance to any architectural style.

Because siding is used on the building’s exterior, over time it becomes dirty and dingy and requires a wash with a vinyl siding cleaner.

If the home is small, the homeowner might be able to do a decent job of cleaning the siding on his own. A larger home should take advantage of a professional vinyl siding cleaning company, as the process requires painstaking care to avoid streaking and to remove any mold, mildew, or stains.

If there are stains on the surface of the home, the usual cleaning solutions will not remove them. Siding stains require different solutions than general cleaning, and each stain must be dealt with individually.

In the Eastern New England region, in particular, where siding is subject to green mold, the usual vinyl siding cleaners such as bleach, dishwasher, and laundry detergents will not do a satisfactory job in removing mold. In this case, a vinyl siding cleaner specifically targeting the green mold is required.

Whether it is performed by the homeowner or a professional siding cleaning company, the cleaning process demands the following steps.

Pre-Cleaning

Just as with painting a house, the preparatory steps to cleaning vinyl siding are as important and as labor-intensive as the cleaning itself.

-Close all doors and windows.
-Turn off the power to any external electrical units.
-Cover plants so they won’t be harmed by the chemicals in the cleaning solution.
-Cover any metal or glass to protect them as well.
-Remove any objects that may be in the way such as furniture, bicycles, or playground equipment.
-Check the entire exterior surface for signs of mold, mildew, and staining, as these will need special chemicals and procedures for effective treatment.

Necessary Equipment for the Job

-Laundry or dish detergent
-Soft bristled brush, sponge mop, or broom and old towels
-Large capacity (five gallon) buckets
-Hose
-Pressure washer (optional, but labor saving)

The Cleaning Process

-Work in 3-5 foot sections
-Use the bucket to mix a solution of 4 gallons of water to 1 cup of laundry or dish detergent.
-Get cleaning tools together, i.e. the sponge mop, soft bristled brush, or broom wrapped with the old towels secured with duct tape. Whatever the cleaning tool, it should have a long handle.
-First step is to use a hose or pressure washer, if available, to loosen dirt and debris on the surface of the siding. The pressure washer can eliminate the need for serious scrubbing. Do not force water behind the siding panels or into the seams. This could encourage the growth of mold and mildew.
-Work from the bottom of the exterior up on each 3-5 foot section to avoid streaking.
-Hose away the sudsy water, making certain all traces of suds are removed before drying as the soapy water will result in a splotchy appearance.

It is not difficult to understand the advantage of hiring a professional in the business of vinyl siding cleaning. The cleaning process is labor-intensive and exacting. Owners of larger homes in a mold-prone climate like that of the Eastern New England region would be wise to hire a local vinyl siding cleaning expert to extend the curb appeal and durability of their home’s exterior.