Vinyl siding is one part of your house that will make it look attractive. The downside for this though is the maintenance required and it should be done occasionally. Over time, it will gather dirt and mold, and your exterior will not look good. It is not that hard though. With these easy steps, you can definitely do it like a pro.
Preparation
Before you start cleaning, you have things to prepare first to avoid potential risks.
1. Examine
Go around your home and see if there are loose boards. This might have an impact on how you will clean them. Also, it might be an additional task for you in the future.
2. Safety
Safety gear starts with your clothing. It should be comfortable for you to easily move around with closed-toe shoes. Then for protection, you would need rubber gloves, safety goggles for your eyes, and a face mask so that you will not breathe in the fumes. If there are objects in the way like furniture, move it away. Also, cover the plants for they might get damaged from solutions that will be used. Be sure to have electrical objects such as lights and outlets covered with plastic sheets and duct tapes. To avoid water entering inside the house, close the doors and windows. If you are planning to use a ladder, have someone with you to hold it for additional safety.
3. Cleaner Solution
Cleaner for vinyl siding is actually easy to prepare. But before that, you should check if your siding has mold and mildew on it because it might need a different solution and deeper cleaning. There are three types of solutions that you can choose to use. It could be as simple as soap and water, and this will be already effective. If you think you need something tougher, you can use bleach mixed with water though it could be more harmful and harsh. For other options, you can also use vinegar mixed in water.
Cleaning
After the preparations, it is now time to clean. There are two ways to do this:
1. Cleaning by Hand
You can do it in the old fashioned way. You just have to gather the needed materials which consist of sponge, bucket, and solution. If it has tougher stains, you might want to use a bristle brush. Do it by sections, so you would know what needs to be cleaned more than the others. Be sure to be gentle because added pressure might cause damage to the vinyl. For rinsing, you can use a hose.
2. Cleaning by Pressure Washer
To make cleaning easier and faster, people tend to use power tools. One is the pressure washer. Unlike doing it by hand which is more tiring and time-consuming, using a pressure washer is not and produces a greater result at times. The problem is that it can cause damage if not used properly. So the first thing you need to do is learn how to operate your pressure washer. Read the manual and ask for recommendations. Learn also what kind of solutions are allowed to be mixed in the pressure water. Bleach is not allowed for it will damage it. For rinsing, just use a regular hose or buckets of water for it does not require high pressure.