How to Clean Vinyl Siding with a Pressure Washer: A Complete Guide
Does your house boast beautiful vinyl siding? While it’s a popular choice for its affordability and ease of maintenance, even vinyl needs a little care and maintenance now and then. But why clean vinyl siding?
Vinyl siding is used for exterior cladding on houses. However, dirt, grime, mold, and mildew can build up on vinyl siding over time. This causes your house to lose its glow and become gloomy instead. So, the fact that you have the reasons for regular cleaning clearly indicates that your siding will look fresh and bright.
In this article, we are going to focus on the pressure washing vinyl siding, how to best maintain the curb appeal of your home, extend the lifespan of your home, and even a healthy environment.
1. Gather Your Supplies: What Are the Cleaning Solutions Needed?
Before you begin your vinyl siding cleaning journey, you should gather all the materials needed for the job. Here’s a breakdown of the essential tools and supplies you’ll need:
Pressure Washer
Select the Pressure washer that is best for you depending on the kind of cleaning you need. In the case of vinyl siding, a pressure washer bearing 1,200 and 2,400 PSI should be sufficient. The siding may get damaged due to the excess load while the condition remains the same.
Pressure Washer Detergent
Commercial pressure washer detergents are premade solutions formulated specifically for use with pressure washers, offering powerful cleaning action. When you’re in need of an efficient and economical solution, put mild dish soap with water to make your own cleaning solution. Additionally, persistent mold or mildew may call for a bleach mixture for handling.
Soft-Bristled Brush
A long-handled, soft-bristled scrubber with warmth is perfect for scrubbing off the stubborn dirt or mold hidden in gaps.
Garden Hose
A garden hose that is connected with a nozzle that does a good job of removing large and loose dirt particles before using the pressure washer on tough grime is perfect.
2. Begin Your Cleaning: A Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Pre-Clean to Lose Dirt and Debris
While setting up your pressure washer, there is a need to loosen up the easy targets first. It is the preliminary step before you blast the entire force of your pressure washer. Grab your garden hose and equip it with a strong spray nozzle. This will act as your pre-cleaning weapon, dislodging loose dirt, dust, cobwebs, and other debris clinging to your vinyl siding. Start your pre-cleaning at the highest point of your siding and work your way downwards.
Step 2: Apply Cleaning Solution
Now that you have prepared your siding, it’s time to spray the cleaning agent on it. Most high-end pressure washers have a built-in soap tank as a standard feature. For your own sake, dilute the cleaning product with water and make sure you follow the directions provided by the manufacturer.
Fill-up the soap reservoir or have your solution prepared in a separate container, start applying the cleaning solution in sweeping motions from the bottom of the siding and work your way upwards. This ensures proper coverage and prevents streaking.
Step 3: Let the Cleaning Solution Dwell
As a last resort, if the dirt on your siding is very hard or stubborn, you can leave the cleaning solution on the surface for 5-10 minutes before rinsing. This dwell time allows the solution to loosen and break down the grime more effectively, making the pressure-washing process easier. After that, use a soft-bristle brush to loosen stuck-on dirt or mold.
Step 4: Pressure Wash Your Vinyl Siding
Now that your siding is armed with a cleaning solution, it is time for you to employ a pressure washer which will work wonders. Here’s how to exert this powerful tool effectively:
- Wide Fan Spray Nozzle for Even Cleaning: A medium-sized fan spray nozzle is one of the most necessary attachments for your pressure washer to get an even cleaning. Make sure to use other nozzles with less pressure, such as a stream nozzle, as high-pressure nozzles can damage vinyl siding.
- Maintaining a Safe Distance: Maintain a distance between the pressure washer and the vinyl siding, as well as an angle that won’t cause damage to the vinyl. This is way more than the recommended one: it can range from 12 to 18 inches.
- Sweeping Motions, Bottom-to-Top Approach: By utilizing the wand of the pressure washer’s sprayer, begin from the bottom of the siding and continue to the top.
- Pressure Adjustment: Commence with a low-level atmosphere setting gradually increases them as required. Too much pressure will make it unfit for your vinyl siding.
Step 5: Rinse Thoroughly
Now that you’ve applied the power of the pressure washer and brushed away the dirt, it is time to use the water to drive the cleaning solution away. Set the washer to the water cycle for a rinse only and get all those nasty cleaning agents out. Do a thorough job of examining points where you used the solution extensively. This ensures that all the loosened dirt and cleaning solution residue washes away efficiently, preventing streaking.
Best Cleaners for Vinyl Siding Pressure Washing
Using an ideal cleaning solution assists in washing off the dirt, grime, mildew, and some other undesirable stains on the siding without causing any harm. From removing tough stains to simple cleaning tasks, the type of cleaner you use can determine the outcome you get on the exterior of your home. These are some of the highly recommended cleaners suitable for vinyl siding pressure washing and are easy to use.
- All-Purpose Cleaner – A versatile cleaner that can tackle a variety of surfaces, including vinyl siding. It’s effective on dirt, grime, and light mildew.
- Oxygen Bleach Solution – A mixture of oxygen bleach and water is a powerful yet gentle cleaner, safe for vinyl siding and effective at removing stains and mildew.
- Trisodium Phosphate (TSP) – A strong cleaner for tougher jobs, TSP is effective on grime, mold, and mildew, but should be used carefully and in accordance with safety guidelines.
- Biodegradable and Phosphate Free Cleaners
- Vital Oxide: A versatile, hospital-grade disinfectant that’s biodegradable and phosphate-free, making it safe for both your siding and the environment. It’s effective at removing mold, mildew, and bacteria.
- Coil Descaler: While primarily designed for HVAC systems, this biodegradable cleaner is also effective on vinyl siding, safely removing buildup without harsh chemicals.
- Fleet Degreaser: Specifically formulated for tough cleaning tasks, this biodegradable and phosphate-free degreaser is excellent for removing stubborn stains and buildup on vinyl siding while being gentle on the environment.
Power Washer Psi for Siding?
For cleaning house siding with a power washer, a PSI (pounds per square inch) between 1,300 and 1,600 is recommended. This pressure is strong enough to remove dirt, mildew, and grime without damaging the siding. Always use a wider spray nozzle (like 25-degree or 40-degree) for safety.
Conclusion
Cleaning with pressure washers successfully transforms the look of your house with clean, sparkling vinyl siding. Following the procedures and the tips from Pressure King you’ve learned, you can clean your vinyl siding which in turn increases its life expectancy through restoring its beauty.
FAQs
How much PSI to pressure wash vinyl siding?
When power washing vinyl siding it is important to use a post of pressure washer ranging between 1,300 and 1,600 PSI. This range is sufficient for removing dirt and at the same time does not damage the material through constant scrubbing.
Can you pressure wash vinyl siding?
Of course, vinyl siding can be washed with the pressure washer. The proper PSI must be used with a wider angle, for example, 25 or forty-degree nozzle.
Should you pressure wash vinyl siding?
Absolutely, pressure washing is the perfect approach to cleaning vinyl sidings. However, one has to ensure they are properly equipped and that they follow the right procedure so that they don’t end up causing any destruction.
