Over time, mold, mildew, dirt, dust, algae, and many more particles can build up on your house's siding. Here's how to get it off.
What You'll Need
- Scrub brush
- Solution
- Plastic bag
- Plastic sheeting
- Masking/duct tape
- Hose
- Ladder
Tip Before You Begin: Start cleaning while your siding is in the shade. This will prevent the solution from drying off too quickly.
- Spot power lines close to the house
- Turn off power to the exterior lights
- Cover possible outside problems
- Mix cleaning solution
- Rinse the siding from the bottom
- Apply the solution
- Wait three minutes before rinsing again
1. Spot power lines close to the house
Water coming into contact with electricity can be dangerous. Talk with a representative from the electrical company that supplies power to your house before cleaning. That way, you know what the best safety protocol is for cleaning your siding.
2. Turn off power to the exterior lights
Go to your breaker box and cut power to all the lights and other electrical appliances stored outside.
3. Cover possible outside problems
Cover the following with plastic sheeting and tape to keep water and solution from getting inside.
- Outlets
- Furniture
- Barbecuers
- Exposed holes
- Plants
- Windowsills
- Doors
4. Mix solution
There are siding solutions you can purchase that can hook up easily to a regular garden hose. If you do not want to buy cleaner solution, mix the following:
- 7 cups water
- 3 cups vinegar
That's it. If you want stronger cleaners, add 1/3 cup powdered laundry detergent. However, vinegar and water will do the job just as well as professional models.
5. Rinse the siding from the top down
When cleaning your house of mold and mildew, you want to make sure you are rinsing from the top down. This will direct the flow of dirt and debris down the siding instead of forcing it into the siding even deeper.Clean about 4 to 5 feet in width at a time when performing the initial rinse.Do not use a pressure washer. A pressure washer can damage the siding and remove paint. Instead, use a hose with a high-pressure spigot to get into the crevices of the siding.Using a ladder will also make the cleaning easier for houses higher than one story.
6. Apply the solution
Once you have rinsed, place solution on the siding using a scrub brush. The water activates the solution a bit better and allows for more build-up to be removed.If possible, use a small brush to get into corners. The solution will work best if it is thoroughly applied in every area, including small and tight spaces.
7. Wait three minutes before rinsing again
Let the solution soak into the siding and remove some of the dirt particles before attacking the siding with a hose again.Rinse from the top down again, letting solution and dirt fall downwards. Clean the plants around the siding to make sure they don't have any additional solution in them, either.If you have any other tips or tricks for cleaning, or you just need new siding, contact Green Energy of San Antonio today.
