How To Clean Cedar Siding And Remove Mold Or Stains
Few siding materials catch the eye like cedar siding. Unfortunately, cedar can become the victim of mildew and mold. A popular method of cleaning it is to use a five-gallon bucket filled with water and mix in some granular oxygen bleach. Manufacturers have different recommendations on the ratio of water to bleach, which means youll need to follow the directions on the label.
To begin, saturate the cedar siding and scrub it with a brush and repeat the process until all the mold and associated stains are removed. You might be tempted to use a power washer to make the job go faster, but using this method will force water into places it is not supposed to be, unless you can adjust the pressure to a low setting.
If your cedar siding has an oil-based stain on it, it has been found that this oil will help to feed the mold, which exacerbates the problem. Oxygen bleach is a good chemical to use on this as well. If youre nervous about the bleach damaging your siding, do a test scrub on a small area, let it dry and inspect the area.
Does Vinegar Kill Mold
White vinegar is a mildly acidic product that cleans, deodorizes, and disinfects. It can also kill 82% of mold species, including black mold, on porous and non-porous surfaces. You can use it safely on most surfaces, and its offensive odor goes away quickly. Pour undiluted white vinegar into a spray bottle.
How To Clean Vinyl Siding With Bleach
If natural cleaning agents arent cutting through the stains you can mix one cup bleach with a gallon of water and use this as your cleaning agent.
Hicks recommends, If neither of these options works, try making your own concoction from other commonly found household cleaners. Use:
- 1/3 cup powdered laundry detergent
- 2/3 cup powdered household cleaner
- 1 quart liquid laundry bleach
- 1 gallon of water
For best results, use a cloth or soft bristled brush and start from the bottom so your cleaning solution doesnt leave streaks or drip off the side of the house. Says Hicks and please ensure you wear gloves when handling bleach and other strong cleaning detergents.
You May Like: Does Stanley Steemer Clean Mold
Pressure Washer Vs Garden Hose
When it comes to fighting stubborn mold and mildew stains, a gentle cleaner falls short. Its time you brought the big guns out and removed those hideous blotches from your beautiful home.
That said, you might feel tempted to use a construction-grade house and siding pressure washer cleaner for your roof. Truth be told, a gentle sweeping with a microfiber cloth or a good rinse with your garden hose is more than enough.
We recommend pressure washing your roof every two or three years. You can use a pressure washer on garage floors, driveways, concrete and tile patios, entrance stairs, wood decks, fences, exterior trims, brick walls, and vinyl siding more often.
Other than cars and automotive parts, miscellaneous gears for home use such as lawnmowers, dirt bikes, etc. can be pressure washed.
Apply Bleach Or Vinegar
With the use of bleach, though, you can get away with less cleaning. If you use one pint of bleach with 5 gallons of water, you will not have to clean the vinyl sidings for 9-12 months.
This strategy would be beneficial for homeowners who want to keep algae from growing in their homes for the longest time possible.
Various cleaning treatments available in most hardware stores may help homeowners maintain their vinyl siding clean and clear of algae.
However, having the house professionally power cleaned is one of the quickest and most cost-effective methods.
There are a wide variety of bleaches and alternatives available at the drug store. Thus, its best to seek expert advice before picking the right one to clean your vinyl sidings.
Read Also: What Can I Spray On Black Mold To Kill It
Cleaning Solution For Vinyl Siding
If the vinyl siding needs additional cleaning, add special cleaning solution to a pressure washer, or mix up the following in a bucket to use to clean by hand:
- 1/3 cup powered laundry detergent
- 2/3 cup TSP cleaner
Dip a long handled, soft bristle, car cleaning brush in the solution and scrub the vinyl siding gently starting at the bottom and working your way up. Follow by rinsing off the cleaning solution with a garden hose, starting at the top and working your way down.
What Is The Best Homemade Deck Cleaner
DIY Organic Deck Cleaner Recipes
Also Check: How To Clean Plastic Cutting Board With Vinegar
Recommended Reading: How To Get Rid Of Mold In Crawl Space
Scrub With Siding Brush
A siding brush has soft bristles that wont scratch the paint or gouge the aluminum like other hard brushes. It doesnt take much effort to scrub away the debris once the TSP has loosened it up!
This particular brush has a hole in the end for water to pass through. Just hook the hose into the end of the extension pole and turn on the water! Make sure to brush with the water flowing down the siding to prevent moisture from getting trapped underneath.
Sap/sugar Aerosols From Trees
You might be wondering how can mold survive on PVCs? Well, the problem is deeper than you realize. The months-old dirt accumulated on the vinyl siding of your home exterior acts as a breeding ground for molds.
Moreover, trees and other smaller nearby plants are also likely to release sappy aerosols rich in sugars. Molds are fond of such organic matters. So, what molds are actually feeding on are not plastics but delicacies that have been accumulated on your vinyl sidings over time.
You May Like: How To Kill Mold On Wood Furniture
Prepare The Building And Property
- Tightly close all windows and doors.
- Cover and protect any plants near the siding that may get damaged from cleaning agents or pressure washing.
- Cover outdoor light fixtures with plastic bags and tape closed.
- Cover electrical outlets with duct tape.
- Move everything away from exterior walls such as outdoor furniture, barbecues, and decorative items.
How To Clean Vinyl Siding
The solution to clean vinyl siding with is very simple. You’ll need:
- A bucket of warm water
- Soft-bristled brush/sponge
Apply the solution to the siding with a soft-bristled, clean brush and starting from the bottom up, scrubbing the entire length of each section. Hicks says ‘For best results, use a cloth or soft bristled brush and start from the bottom so your cleaning solution doesnt leave streaks or drip off the side of the house. ‘ When you reach the end of each lap, hose it down before it dries naturally as this will help stop it streaking.
- Vinyl siding is a durable form of plastic, learn how to clean and polish plastic in other areas of your home with our guide.
Also Check: Can Mold Cause Headaches And Nosebleeds
Ordinary Dirt And Grime Cleaning Tips
If your siding is not stained, rinsing with a garden hose and spray nozzle may be all you need. Start at the bottom and work your way to the top, then rinse starting at the top and working to the bottom.
Hopefully, this will be enough to dislodge the dirt and grime. If not, proceed to use detergent and a power washer if you have one.
This is also one of the best ways to clean a metal roof. Use care with the ladder.
Mold Alert: Tips On How To Clean Mold Off Your Houses Siding
This article was crafted with the help of Preferred Siding, Inc.
Mold on siding is not only unsightly, but it can also cause health problems and damage to your home. So what causes this gross fungus in the first place? According to Steve Ginsberg of Preferred Siding in Northern Virginia, the mold is organic matter combined with moisture.
When you have things like dust and pollen remaining moist on siding, and no sun or airflow to move it along, mold can begin to grow. This explains why homeowners so often find mold on the shady sides of their home.
Don’t Miss: Do It Yourself Mold Removal At Home
How Can I Prevent Mildew On My House
Mildew is caused by humidity and moisture.
You can control mildew by making sure your homes exterior has plenty of airflow and can dry quickly when it becomes wet.
What can you do to help prevent mildew?
- Arrange landscaping so natural breezes can flow near the house and dry the siding if it becomes wet from rain or dew.
- Keep shrubs away from the walls to allow for better drying.
- Install gutters and downspouts, as well as a moderate roof overhang.
- Give special attention to air movement patterns on northern exposures that dont get much sunlight to assist in drying.
- On sidings which may have a tendency to absorb moisture from rain or dew, a semi-gloss, gloss latex, or oil paint with an appropriate primer is recommended.
- When staining wood siding or leaving it to weather naturally, use a water-repellent wood finish . You can get these products in hardware/paint stores.
How To Clean Mold Off Siding Steps
You May Like: How To Check For Mold And Mildew In Your Home
Can I Fix My Moldy And Chalky Vinyl Siding
The short answer? Yes.
You can remove harmful oxidation and mold growth before costly damage occurs with the following process:
Although this process is temporarily effective, youll find it impossible to dodge mold growth and oxidation on your vinyl siding forever. In a damp, sunny environment like Kansas City, youll likely need to complete this cleaning process at least once a yearwhich is both time-consuming and frustrating.
We believe the best way to eliminate mold growth and oxidation on your vinyl siding is to replace it with a durable, low-maintenance alternative. Thats why we recommend and install James Hardie fiber cement siding.
Option 1 Pressure Washing
One option for cleaning vinyl siding mold problems is pressure washing. This is best if done professionally because improper pressure washing techniques can damage your vinyl siding, blasting a hole through the vinyl material causing dents and warped areas. Concentrated pressure can also leave streaks or water marks across the front of vinyl siding. If you decide to do the pressure washing yourself, make sure to use the widest setting on the pressure washer, and point straight at the siding, not at an upward angle. Move the nozzle constantly and dont focus too long on one spot or you risk forcing water underneath your siding which can cause you even bigger headachesPressurized hot water mixed with a mold-killing agent does wonders at cleaning off that nasty mold growth.Some cleaning products have chemical agents that kill mold before it has a chance to grow. Using a cleaner like that will keep the mold away and allow for longer periods between your home siding cleanings.
You May Like: How To Clean Mold Off Concrete Patio
Removing Dirt From Vinyl Siding
Hosing down vinyl siding with a garden hose equipped with a spray nozzle or a pressure washer set on a medium spray pattern is often enough to remove dirt and grime. When hosing down or pressure washing vinyl siding:
- Make sure the pressure washer spray pattern is wide enough to prevent damage to the siding, and keep the nozzle moving.
- Start washing at the bottom and work your way up then rinse from the top, working your way down.
- To prevent water from running behind the siding, spray even with or down on the siding, and spray in the direction of the overlapped joints.
How To Clean Mold Off Siding
As dirt particles collect on a houses siding, mold or mildew can eventually gain a foothold. When you see the dingy growth accumulate on your home, its time to clean the siding. The process is well within the physical abilities of most homeowners. Learn how to clean mold off siding from the siding experts at PJ Fitzpatrick.
Whether you have vinyl or aluminum siding, the job is largely the same. If you use a pressure washer, dont exceed a medium pressure setting. The spray pattern should be at 40 degrees and the nozzle should be kept at least 12 inches from the siding at all time. These settings will prevent you from damaging your siding with an excessively strong spray.
Also Check: How Do I Get Rid Of Mold In My Shower
Clean Vinyl Siding With A Pressure Washer
Cleaning vinyl siding by hand can be long and tiring, so some choose to pressure wash a house. Pressure washers save a lot of time and energy and produce clean results, but can also damage siding and cause more problems if used incorrectly. You can rent or buy one at various costs, anywhere from about $50 and up. Here are the steps you should follow when pressure washing a house with vinyl siding.
Using A Pressure Washer On Vinyl
Not all vinyl siding manufacturers recommend pressure washing their products, so it’s best to check first to avoid voiding the warranty. Once you’re sure it’s OK, adjust the pressure to no more than 1,200 psi and fit the wand with a 40-degree nozzle. At that pressure, you may have trouble removing well-established patches, especially from high places that require you to work from a ladder. For this reason, it’s a good idea to scrub with a disinfecting cleaner and rinse with the pressure washer. Remember to keep the wand horizontal or tilted downward to avoid forcing water under the vinyl slats.
You May Like: What Causes Mold To Form
Why Its Important To Clean Your Vinyl Siding
Youll want to get in the practice of washing the exterior of your home once per year, as you would any home maintenance task, like cleaning your gutters or sealing your driveway. A popular time to do so is in the spring, especially in more northern climates where snow, ice, and salt can do a number on your home over the winter. But, the truth is, you can clean your vinyl siding any time of year, as long as you have a mild, sunny day in the forecast.
Many natural factors can lessen the luster of your vinyl siding. Theres pollen, dirt and debris blown onto it by wind and passing traffic. Bird poop and bug goo are other pollutants that can really muck up a pretty house.
If youve noticed a neon green crud creeping up your siding, say hello to green algae build-up. It can be pervasive and bold, especially if youve gone more than a year between cleanings. Dont confuse this with gray and yellow-ish mildew, another problematic organic growth that crops up in warm, damp, humid climates.
Wet & Forget outdoor stain remover cleaned up all the nasty green algae and mildew on my siding in about 72 hours.
Another reason to regularly clean vinyl siding is to protect it from being damaged by household maintenance products that may have splashed onto it while working around the yard, like deck stains, grease or a grease remover, chlorine bleach, and other corrosive solutions.
You May Also Be Interested In
project
The images on our website can be used to assist in your purchasing decision, but should not be relied on as the sole reference point. Due to variation in computer monitors, mobile devices and printers, the images shown may not exactly replicate the corresponding color, texture or appearance. To verify actual product color, texture or appearance ask to see the actual product, available through a CertainTeed contractor or distributor.
We use cookies to personalize and enhance your experience on our site. Visit our Privacy Policy to learn more or manage your personal preferences in our Cookie Consent Tool. By using our site, you agree to our use of cookies.
Read Also: How To Stop Mold In Air Conditioner
