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.

 

[Gunny]

I'll throw in another vote for Wet and Forget, easy to apply and after that, you're done

 

[oosik]

In Anchorage the siding of choice was aluminum. We simply hosed it down every spring with the garden hose. No bleach, no cleaners, no scrubbing - just plain old water.

 

[Gem99ultra]

Wow! I did learn something today. First thing - stop using my power sprayer on the vinyl siding. (Yeah, I've already reined some on the back side of the pump house.)

I've ordered some of the 'Wet and Forget' as well as some 'Jo-Max'. We already have some OxyClean Dawn, and of course, bleach. And yes, I forgot to mention the spiders - and we have 'em by the millions. I'll be trying all three pdq.

Thanks a million for the good suggestions. No to get off my behind and get to work

 

[The Deerslayer]

Wow! I did learn something today. First thing - stop using my power sprayer on the vinyl siding. (Yeah, I've already reined some on the back side of the pump house.)

I've ordered some of the 'Wet and Forget' as well as some 'Jo-Max'. We already have some OxyClean Dawn, and of course, bleach. And yes, I forgot to mention the spiders - and we have 'em by the millions. I'll be trying all three pdq.

Thanks a million for the good suggestions. No to get off my behind and get to work

Let us know how you make out with all three...interested in how they compare.

 

[s219]

I use a blend of water, 10% bleach (pool shock), and powder laundry detergent -- got the recipe from Tom Silva on This Old House. Does a real nice job. Google will turn up the ratios.

They make a "2nd story" nozzle for power washers that will get soapy water up high, about 30', and that is what I use. Since this converts the pressure into height, it's a very gently spray and safe for your home, about like a garden hose spray (except it shoots up high enough to reach a 2nd story). The same nozzle can be use to shoot soapy water (through the pressure washer's siphon hose) or clean water for rinsing.

I agree 100% with Eddie -- do not use a pressure washer with high pressure nozzle on a home as it can cause damage and push water into all sorts of places. Only use the low pressure nozzles to get distance and help you access high places from the ground.

 

[Gunny]

If you're going to test different products, do the Wet and Forget first, it kills the spores, other products can just cause the spores to go dormant. I used to use bleach, had to do it at least twice a year. Since I started using Wet and Forget, I do it once and am done with it.

 

[The Deerslayer]

If you're going to test different products, do the Wet and Forget first, it kills the spores, other products can just cause the spores to go dormant. I used to use bleach, had to do it at least twice a year. Since I started using Wet and Forget, I do it once and am done with it.

Agreed.....

 

[thepumpguysc]

I've always been a fan of Jo-Max.. & would shout it from the roof tops. Lol
BUT>> you guys have peaked my interest in>> Wet & Forget..
Its time for my spring "house cleaning" just as soon as this pine pollen stops making everything green..
I'm gonna give it a go & report back.. probably be next week tho.

 

[thepumpguysc]

I just checked out W&F online.. I'm stickin w/ the JOMAX for now..
Who wants to wait 4-6 weeks for results?? AND its VERY expensive compared to JOMAX..
w/ the jomax, you just mix it w/ some .99 cent bleach & water, spray it on & in 5-10 minutes your siding is as bright as the day it was put up..
But thanks for the ideas..

 

[Gem99ultra]

Got my Wet & Forget in today as well as a bleach rated sprayer. Already had the OxyClean, bleach and Dawn.

I'm a bit worried about the W&F though. It contains 9.9% dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride. That's the main ingredient in some industrial algaecides, which I have a good bit of experience with. Harmful to plants, fish and pets!

We have a couple of 3/4 acre ponds and I'm a bit afraid of the chemical migration. Sure don't want to kill off our bass crop. I may use a diluted mixture in one small area. Still need to pick up the Jo-Max.

Experiment goes forward.