Vinyl Siding: The Complete Maintenance Guide

Do you have vinyl siding on your home but you’re not sure how to keep it clean? You’re in the right place.

Here, you’ll learn how to handle the upkeep of your vinyl siding to prevent unsightly mold from developing. You’ll know exactly what equipment to buy, too!

How To Prevent Mold On Vinyl Siding?

Mold on vinyl siding is no joke. If you notice it on your home’s exterior, it could end up seeping through to your interior walls.

If you’ve noticed mold on your vinyl siding, take action immediately! But we’d recommend taking action even before that.

You can prevent mold from developing by keeping a close eye on the conditions that cause it.

For example, if your siding is in constant contact with water – from a lawn sprinkler, for example – it could become susceptible to mold growth. Nobody wants that!

Mold thrives under shady conditions. Look for the parts of your home that are hidden from the light.

These will also be the places that are slowest to dry. High levels of moisture and darkness are the perfect combination for mold.

What can you do?

First, keep your siding clean. Remove all dirt and grime, because dirty siding is slower to dry. Then, look at the trees and shrubs around your house.

Trim them to ensure they stay far away from your walls. Contact between them can move water from your vegetation onto your vinyl siding.

Last but not least, adjust your lawn sprinklers so they don’t hit your home.

You can also monitor your gutters since a leak will cause water to run down your walls.

Anything that could cause excessive moisture is to be avoided.

What Can I Spray-On Vinyl Siding To Prevent Mold?

There are many cleaning solutions you can use on those problematic shady and moist areas that could be prone to mold.

Don’t just use any cleaning product, as you may end up discoloring or marring the finish of your vinyl siding.

The good news is that some of the best cleaning solutions to prevent mold can be made up of ordinary household items.

70% water and 30% white vinegar will remove light mold and mildew when you first notice it.

Alternatively, you can mix one-third cup of powdered laundry detergent with two-thirds of a cup of powdered household cleaner and one quart of liquid laundry bleach.

Add a gallon of water to the mixture. This will make an incredibly strong cleaning solution!

There are also products on the market such as Simple Green’s environmentally friendly cleanser, so if you’d rather buy something from the store, options are available.

How To Clean Mold-Off Vinyl Siding?

If you can already see signs of mold on your vinyl siding, you shouldn’t wait to take action.

Don’t worry; you won’t have to spend money on a professional cleaning service. Most homeowners find this process easy enough to handle themselves.

All you’ll need is a bucket, a hose (or pressure washer), a scrub brush with an extension handle, bleach/vinegar, and some plastic drop cloths.

1. Spray the siding with the hose or pressure washer. Start from the bottom and work your way up. Avoid spraying under the siding edges.
   
2. You may be able to stop here! Some mold comes off with water alone. If it hasn’t then it’s time to apply cleaner. You can make this easy with a mixture of bleach, water, and vinegar.
   Alternatively, you can use a shop-bought cleaning product. Use plastic drop cloths to protect nearby vegetation.
   
3. Use the scrub brush to apply the cleaner to your home.
   
4. Rinse it off, starting from the top and moving down to the bottom.

You may need to repeat steps 3 and 4 for very stubborn mold stains.

Remember, if you notice any cracks or damage to your siding as you wash it, you should get this checked out before you clean. Water could get into these gaps, damaging your home’s structure.

Best Mold Remover For Vinyl Siding

There are many mold removers available and specifically designed for vinyl siding. Here are some of the best available options on the market:

1. 30 Seconds Outdoor Cleaner

The selling point of this cleaner is its efficacy. It works in just 30 seconds! You’ll see immediate results when you use this product.

This is a great choice if you don’t have a pressure washer because it’s very powerful.

2. RMR-86 Instant Mold Stain & Mildew Stain Remover

This product is very strong and bleach-based. Protect yourself accordingly if you plan to use it! It can be used with a pressure washer to amazing results.

It’s very versatile so it can be used on other surfaces besides your vinyl siding.

3. Mold Armor Siding & House Wash

This product was made for your precise purpose! It is mixed with water and added to your pressure washer tank to be sprayed. After 10 minutes, you can wash it off with water.

You’ll notice the difference it makes.

How To Prevent Algae Growth On Vinyl Siding?

To ensure that your vinyl siding lasts as long as possible and continues to look good, you need to maintain it. That means monitoring it carefully for signs of algae and mildew growth.

Algae is the green substance you see growing on a pond. It thrives in moist conditions. Mildew is a fungus you find in plants and other organic materials.

To avoid these growing in your home, you should take the following steps.

• Prune tree limbs and bushes. If they press against your vinyl siding, they can transfer moisture and algae!
• Wash your home regularly: at least once a year. This will remove tree sap which could lead to algae and mildew growth.
• Check out any damaged or loose areas on your vinyl siding. Moisture could easily get trapped there. Repair any issues quickly.
• Keep your gutters in good condition. They shouldn’t direct water onto your vinyl siding.
• Move any sprinklers so they’re directed away from your home.

How To Remove Green Algae From Vinyl Siding?

Damp, organic areas attract algae. Of course, vinyl isn’t organic, but organic materials can accumulate there. Dust and dirt provide a breeding ground for algae.

Even specks of tree sap can be hospitable environments. That’s why it’s important to regularly clean your siding.

If you’ve already noticed mold growing on your vinyl siding, you can remove it using a cleaning solution. The type of solution you should use depends on the growth you’ve observed.

If there are only water stains, use a mixture of mild detergent and water.

If mildew and algae are observable, then use a solution made of oxygen bleach mixed with water. Note that the bleach used is oxygen, not chlorine.

Some people prefer to use a pressure washer for this problem. Others use a hose.

There are many products on the market to remove green algae from vinyl siding, so check out reviews and packaging information to find the best one for your needs.

Best Vinyl Siding Algae Cleaner

An all-purpose cleaner won’t do when it comes to vinyl siding. They are generally too weak, so they won’t remove mold, mud, or other organic matter.

Saying that you don’t want a product that is too strong either. One inappropriate ingredient could discolor or damage your siding.

Make sure any product you choose is appropriate for your method of cleaning. Not every product works well with a pressure washer.

Choose products based on water and hydrogen peroxide or soaps with surfactants like alkyl sulfates.

These are less likely to have a negative reaction to your siding than petroleum ethers. If you use a bleach-based product, be sure to protect surrounding plants.

Concentrated products are more economical. You’ll have more products to last you for a longer period. However, you’ll have to dilute the product yourself.

Pre-diluted products often come in a ready-to-use spray bottle that can be easier, even if they’re much more expensive.

Best Pressure Washer For Vinyl Siding

Some of the best pressure washers for your vinyl siding include:

1. Sun Joe Electric High-Pressure Cleaner

This model includes two detergent tanks that can store different solutions. It’s powerful enough to get the job done.

2. Homdox Pressure Washer

It can be connected and disconnected very smoothly, and it has built-in wheels that make it easy to move as you clean. It also comes with 4 different spray tips!

3.LawnMaster Electric Pressure Washer

The adjustable nozzle makes it easier to hit those tricky corners. You won’t have to keep switching between different nozzles.

Best Vinyl Siding Pressure Washer Detergent

There are many great products on the market. Some pressure washer detergents you should check out include:

• Wet and Forget Stain Remover

This can be used to clean many outdoor surfaces. However, it’s very powerful, so you should wear eye protection and a face mask as you spray it on your siding.

• Zep Pressure Wash Cleaner

This was formulated for pressure washer application and it only requires a low-pressure setting to be effective. It’s economical but not strong enough for mold and moss that’s stuck to your siding.

• Simple Green Cleaner Concentrate

You’ll find that this product is strong enough to remove grime without damaging your vinyl siding. It’s a multipurpose formula and it won’t harm surrounding vegetation when you use it.