What is the best house wash solution in 2021 for vinyl siding?

[newbury]

These things change all the time. What do TBN'ers recommend for a 2 story house in Northern Virginia?
I'd like to be able spray it on with a garden hose, BEING CAREFUL TO ONLY LET THE SOLUTION HIT THE HOUSE ON THE WAY DOWN!!
Then rinse it off USING SIMILAR CAUTION.
I know not to spray up and get water UNDER THE SIDING.
/edit
This is primarily to reduce algae buildup from last year. I've used Wet and Forget, self mixed Vinegar and water, etc. before.
I've got about 2,000 sq ft of surface to do.

 

[4570Man]

If you find a solution that doesn’t require scrubbing or even a pressure washer I’m all ears.

 

[beckmurph]

80-fl oz House and Siding Outdoor Cleaner https://www.lowes.com/pd/Home-Armor-80-fl-oz-House-and-Siding-Outdoor-Cleaner/1000147061

I used this on mom’s house and it did a very good job.

 

[Egon]

Might depend on what you’re trying to wash off.

Otherwise take your pick of the cleaners available. There will not be any one “absolutely best” product.

 

[RSKY]

Before I got the pressure washer I would mix 1/2 cup TAP with 1 gallon of Clorox and put it in one of the hose attachments made for spraying pesticides. Spray it on, let it stay for a few minutes. Then spray it off with the water hose. Had to swap nozzles a lot but it worked.

RSKY

 

[wngsprd]

I don't have vinyl, but have had good luck using TSP powder (trisodium phosphate) mixed with Chlorox on stained wood siding. I've always used a bucket and brush, however. If your new method leaves a few spots, I'd recommend this for them.

I've used Wet and Forget on the roof...worked, but took a long time to see results.

Good luck in your search.

 

[TractorGuy]

I have used 50% water with 50% bleach for 25+ years. Don't try to mix too strong or it will eat the finish off of your aluminum window frames. My house is one story so sometimes I get lazy and just wash with the pressure washer. Other times i go back to the old tried and true bleach and water. Sometimes it take two applications but I never have to scrub. Just spray it on, let sit a few minutes, and rinse.

 

[Larry Caldwell]

Pressure washer and water.

 

[rjpotts]

Do you have any of those dark spots that appear in the vicinity of where a spider has lived (spider poop)? If so try spray on oven cleaner, it worked great for me when nothing else did.

 

[bigtiller]

Before I got the pressure washer I would mix 1/2 cup TAP with 1 gallon of Clorox and put it in one of the hose attachments made for spraying pesticides. Spray it on, let it stay for a few minutes. Then spray it off with the water hose. Had to swap nozzles a lot but it worked.

RSKY

TAP?

 

[RalphVa]

Get some stuff called Jomax. You add a little bleach and water to it. Not sure what else. The stuff in Jomax keeps the bleach from bleaching, only doing algae killing and cleaning.

 

[RustyA]

Cup of bleach, cup of degreaser like simple green or 409 added to 5 gallon bucket of water. Apply with car wash brush and leave on siding until it dries. Rinse with pressure washer on gentle setting. Leaving it on helps delay future algae, mildew growth.

 

[Midniteoyl]

Get some stuff called Jomax. You add a little bleach and water to it. Not sure what else. The stuff in Jomax keeps the bleach from bleaching, only doing algae killing and cleaning.

I had a couple bottles of something very similar, but already had bleach in it. Absolutely cannot remember what it was called specifically (was one of those things I picked up on clearance a couple years before I actually used it), but it did a fantastic job of cleaning and removing the (really bad) mildew. Came in ready spray bottles..

 

[msb1766]

I have used Wet & Forget, works good.
Wet & Forget | No Rinse Outdoor Cleaners, Product Selector

 

[Root Cause]

Bob Vila has a couple of options on his website. I have used the bleach solution for years.
Whatever the recipe, your landscape around the house should be considered per his webpage.

How to Clean Vinyl Siding

Are mildew and dirt making your home's exterior look the worse for wear? Two exterior siding experts share their best tips for cleaning vinyl siding.

www.bobvila.com

 

[Molalla1]

TAP?

Tap water . . . probably.

 

[the old grind]

A typo on TSP.

 

[Molalla1]

OG, my guessing isn't so good today . . .

 

[qstott]

I have had great results with 30 seconds outdoor cleaner from Lowe’s. Mix it 1:1. In the past I used outdoor Clorox mixed the same and was fairly happy with that. I sprayed it on with a 25 gallon garden sprayer and then washed it off after sitting a few minutes with the pressure washer.

With the 30 seconds cleaner I applied it the same way, but washed it off with the water hose and I think it did a better job. Outdoor Clorox used to be about 6 dollars a gallon and the 30 seconds was almost 10 dollars, but Clorox went up and they are about the same price now.

 

[mrmikey]

Pressure washer and water.

Thats all I use...............Mike