Vinyl siding has become a popular choice for Michigan homes thanks to its durability and versatile appearance. One of the biggest perks of vinyl siding is that it requires minimal maintenance. You never have to worry about painting your siding like you would with wood. You just have to clean it on occasion. Follow this simple guide to learn how to clean vinyl siding.
General Maintenance Cleaning for Vinyl Siding
For the most part, you can clean vinyl siding using a cleaning solution and a soft-bristled brush or rag. You can purchase specialty vinyl cleaners, but DIY recipes work just as well. Mix one part white vinegar with three parts water for an easy siding cleaner, or dilute some dish washing liquid to remove tough stains. A long-handled brush makes this process a breeze because you can cover large sections of siding at once. However, you may want to use a rag to hand buff some of the trickier spots, such as areas near your landscaping.
Pressure Washing Vinyl Siding
Pressure washing is a common way to clean vinyl siding, but proceed with caution. If you are not familiar with a pressure washer, you may end up thrusting water in between the siding boards. Glide over the siding with even strokes, and stand a good distance away from the siding. Pay close attention to windows, trim pieces, and other exterior elements that would not stand up against a pressure washer.
For safety measures, consider having your vinyl siding professionally pressure washed instead of attempting it on your own.
How Often Should I Clean Vinyl Siding?
There are several factors that determine how often you should clean your siding. As a general rule of thumb, we recommend cleaning vinyl siding at least once every two years. Some homes require more frequent cleaning because of the weather in their area. If you live in a community with persistent precipitation, you may need to clean your siding once a year. One side of your home may be more susceptible to dirt and grime than others. In that case, you might clean that side one a year and clean the whole exterior every two years.
Also note that some colors of vinyl siding show dirt more than others. If you have beige or light grey siding, the dirt leftover from rain may not be as visible as it would be on darker siding. White siding looks amazing when it is first installed, but the white may show dirt faster than other colors. Keep this in mind if you are looking into new vinyl siding for your home.
What to Do If You Notice Damage on Your Vinyl Siding
Notice some damage to your vinyl siding now that it’s clean? No worries – there may be a quick solution to the problem. Vinyl siding is easy to repair or replace over time. We would be happy to conduct a siding inspection to evaluate the damage and create a repair plan. We will color match the replacement siding to your existing siding so the repair blends seamlessly.
McLean Roofing and Siding has proudly been in business for over 50 years. We offer affordable siding repair and siding maintenance in Oakland County MI, Macomb County MI, and surrounding areas. Give us a call at (248) 524-1111 to schedule your vinyl siding consultation.