Cleaning vinyl siding

[Gem99ultra]

Most, including my buildings in this area, use vinyl siding for their building exteriors. My workshop is 27' to the peak, so climbing up to clean is pretty much out.

What is the best way to clean the winter mildew off?

 

[EddieWalker]

The box stores sell house cleaning formulas like Jax that work pretty good at killing the mildew, and then you hose it off. Usually it takes some brushing for the really thick areas. Clorox sells an outdoor cleaning bleach that is quite a bit stronger the laundry bleach that also kills mildew and mold. You just spray it on, wait a few minutes, then wash it off with the hose. But you still might need to run a brush over it. I use a RV Brush on an extendable pole when people hire me to clean mold on their houses.

NEVER use a pressure washer on a house. It will force water into areas that water was never meant to go, and once there, it will take weeks or even months to evaporate. Pressure washers will also remove caulking and paint. It's the very worse thing to use on a house!!!!

 

[TractorGuy]

50% household bleach, 50% water in a pump up sprayer. Make sure the sprayer is rated as bleach resistant. I went through three of them till I found one that was and it was labeled as such. Get on a ladder if you need to to reach the peaks. Spray it on, let sit, rinse it off. Repeat as needed. If you get the bleach mixture too strong it will remove the finish from your aluminum flashing.

 

[The Deerslayer]

Check this product out: Outdoor Cleaner. Shower Cleaner. Spider Killer | Wet & Forget

A number of people I know raved about it and I eventually tried it on my white vinyl fencing. Between the birds thinking the fence is a toilet , and mildew build up, it needs to be cleaned annually. As we have a lot of the fencing and gates, it is no small feat. Being able to spray this stuff and do nothing more it is a huge time saver. Certainly beats scrubbing, power washing, etc..

Must say that I am very impressed with it so far. I have not needed to use it on the house, but the literature says it is safe for siding.

 

[JimWalch]

http://www.oxiclean.com/-/media/Oxi...-Images/DT_Versatile_Stain_Remove_Tub_3LB.png

1/4 cup to a gallon of warm water with a few drops of Dawn in a pump sprayer. Start at the bottom spray on let set a few minuets then brush with soft bristle brush & rinse. Works wonders on vinyl siding and oxiclean won't kill plants or grass.

 

[orangeandgreen]

I use a 25/75 mix of bleach/water through my spot sprayer, doing a 20 to 30 foot section of wall at a time. Let it "soak" for a few minutes then rinse it off with my pressure washer and telescoping wand. Also clean the gutters while I have the telescoping wand hooked up.

https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200680722_200680722
https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200635362_200635362

 

[Larry Caldwell]

I put vinyl on my parents' house in the '80s. It was a 2.5 story (12' ceilings) colonial that was over 30' to the peak. I just used a ladder and a pressure washer to keep it clean. I put gloves on the end of the ladder and placed it on the flat of the vinyl and never did any damage.

 

[Uncle Lar]

Another vote for Wet and Forget 1 Gal. Moss, Mold, Mildew and Algae Stain Remover. Mix it spray it, sit and relax a couple months, (retired) and congratulate yourself on a job well done.
lar

 

[bunyip]

Copper Sulphate gets rid of moss on tiles (in solution) maybe it will kill mildew etc on walls.
Don't like bleach as it is quite nasty with the fumes, we avoid it as much as we can and use alternatives.

 

[thepumpguysc]

I use the product called> JO-MAX.. got it at Lowes.. WORKS WONDERS..
Mix in a garden sprayer, mix it up w/ cheap bleach.. spray it on & hose it off.. Makes white vinyl so bright you need sun glass's.. NO JOKE.