Environmentally Friendly Cleaner For Vinyl Moldremoval
If youre looking for an environmentally friendly cleaning product to help you clean your siding, then you can simply make one at home. A simple blend of common cleaning products will help eliminate mold and mildew from your home.
You need to start off with a 5 gallon bucket half-filled with warm water. Thereafter, add 1 gallon of liquid bleach. Keep stirring the bleach into the water and add 2 cups of trisodium phosphate.
You will usually find this at your local hardware or pool store in the paint section. Mix all the ingredients in the water and while still stirring, add one cup of borax.
Combine this mixture well and lastly add a quarter cup of liquid dishwashing soap and full the rest of the bucket with water. If you need more soap, then you can gradually add more until you receive the desired effect. So this mixture makes 5 gallons of an exterior house wash.
If youre looking for a mixer thats even more simple and environmentally friendly, then you can try this one. All of these ingredients are natural products that are found in your cupboard right now.
You will need baking soda, vinegar, warm water, and a container to make this mixture. Start by adding 2 cups of warm water to the container, thereafter add a cup of vinegar and sprinkle a tablespoon of baking soda into the container.
Clean Aluminum Siding With Vinegar
If you adore do it yourself house washing solutions and cleaning products, try to clean aluminum siding with vinegar. It helps the metal not to corrode or tarnish over time. Sometimes soapy water just isnt enough to restore the shine. Plus, vinegar is a perfect cure for light or medium staining.
Use a vinegar mixture to clean an aluminum boat with accumulated grime and salt. The vinegar shines it right up.
- 4 cups of warm water
- 5-gallon bucket
As one of the ways to clean brushed aluminum or another aluminum surface, combine a few slices of fresh lemon, vinegar, and warm water in a five-gallon bucket. Directly scrub the aluminum siding with a soft scrubber dipped in the mixture.
Rinsing with the solution may also help remove soap scum if you started with the laundry detergent method. How much you use depends on the size of your home.
Using vinegar is often the best way to clean aluminum rims on your vehicle, as well. Make your rims shine with the rest of your car.
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Clean Fiber Cement Siding With Mildew
Humid environments are excellent breeding grounds for mildew, which will take hold on your siding and will require a mildew-specific cleaner to remove. Cleaners specifically made for cleaning mildew off of fiber cement siding include products like Jomax, Mildew Check and Mold Armor.
The James Hardie website recommends using a soft cloth or sponge, a garden hose and one of the three cleaners mentioned. Follow the mildew cleaner instructions and lightly scrub the areas where mildew is growing. Use a garden hose to rinse the area and repeat as necessary.
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Use A Water And White Vinegar Solution
White vinegar is the secret staple to many household-cleaning tricks. Add in some white vinegar as a pseudo detergent and youve got yourself clean clothes. Leave a bowl of white vinegar out in a room and youve rid yourself of that hard to shake mothball smell. Why does white vinegar act as all-purpose cleaner? White vinegars acidity cuts through grime and dissolves residue buildups with ease, making it an excellent tool for cleaning siding.
According to the Vinyl Siding Institute, by using a solution of 30% vinegar and 70% water, you can restore vinyl siding back to its mold-free state. The vinegar, diluted by water, cuts through the grime and residue, but is safer than using bleach. Vinegar is also a more biodegradable and environmentally friendly option.
Best Biodegradable Cleaner: Simple Green
Simple Green is an all-purpose, biodegradable, environmentally friendly siding cleaner. It was developed for multi-purpose contractor jobs, which explains its versatility. It can be used on a multitude of surfaces Vinyl, wood, metal. It removes grease and mold efficiently.
The biodegradable properties mean its entirely safe for use both outdoors and indoors. No need to worry about your children or pets. The fragrance-free claim is a little misleading, however. The product smells clean, non-chemical, but it does have a noticeable cleaning product odor.
Worthy to note is that its a concentrated product, 1 gallon of Simple Green for Vinyl Siding can produce about 64 mixed gallons. You should dilute it according to the type of surface youre using it for and the type of stains.
Also, with its safer more gentle approach cleaning solution, Simple Green does not attack mold and mildew like the more potent formulas above. This is a soft and more environmentally friendly approach to vinyl siding cleaning.
Application Method
- Mix Simple Green Solution 64 part water to 1 part solution 64:1
Pros
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Wet And Forget 10587 Mold & Mildew Remover
If you dont feel comfortable using a bleach-based cleaner, weve got you covered. Wet & Forget is non-acidic and non-caustic, you can use it safely on any surface without worrying as much about harming animals or plants.
The manufacturer does however, caution users to rinse all plants before and after the application. Otherwise, you could see some temporary browning or killing of leaves.
The Wet & Forget aim is to make your life easier and your cleaning smarter with a user-friendly spray and walk away type product. Rain will eventually remove any residue over time. Just like RMR-86, there is no need for abrasive scrubbing.
Of course, if you live in an exceptionally dry climate like the southwest you could go weeks without rain, so Wet & Forget may not be your first choice
To use Wet & Forget all you will need is a typical garden sprayer, and water, to mix the recommended 5 parts water to 1 part Wet and Forget concentrate. Spray liberally on the material you want to remove mold on, and walk away. Literally.
The trade-off from using RMR-86 instead, is that Wet and Forget is a more gradual cleaning agent, and while you should see results within a week, Wet & Forget requires 1-3 months to fully remove visible mold and stains.
Wet & Forget is still considered one of the very best vinyl siding cleaners on the market, especially if you have time to allow the product to do its job, and you want the simplest method of application.
Application Method
Pros
Spray Grimier Spots With A Wood Siding Cleaner And Brush
Some areas of your siding might be more affected by dirt, mold and mildew, which means the stains will be more difficult to remove. These areas will need more attention, which includes spraying solution on them, letting the solution set for about 15 minutes and scrubbing the area with a cloth or sponge. If youre using a soft-bristled brush, be sure not to scrub too hard, as this can damage the siding.
If you have a pressure washer set to low, you can treat the more heavily affected areas quickly. Always make sure youre at a minimum of six feet away from the siding when using a pressure washer, and make sure its set at no higher than 1,500 psi.
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How To Clean Stained Cedar Siding
As cedar ages, the color changes. For homeowners who dont like the rustic look, using a stain will keep them happy. Unfortunately, its these stains that allow mold and mildew to take hold more rapidly than cedar that has not been stained.
Oxygen bleach is the go-to cleaning product that can mediate your issues. When mixed with water and applied to cedar siding, it can knock down the mold, algae and/or mildew and restore your siding to its original beauty.
Another perk to using oxygen bleach is that it is not toxic like chlorine bleach is. Simply apply the solution to a receptacle attached to a garden hose or to a low-pressure washer apply it to your siding. Allow it to soak for 15 minutes and use a nylon-bristled brush to remove the problem. Be sure to rinse the wood with a garden hose after youve scrubbed the siding or power washed it to get all the mold and mildew off.
Clean Cedar Siding With Bleach
Unlike vinyl siding, you dont want to use chlorine bleach to clean cedar siding. Chlorine bleach is the traditional and most popular form used in households, most often in the washer to get stains out of laundry. The powerful ingredient is sodium hypochlorite, which is a toxic substance and is not good for your cedar siding, as it can damage the wood fibers.
A more appropriate approach is to use oxygen bleach, the main ingredient of which is sodium percarbonate, which is an adduct of sodium carbonate. Unlike chlorine bleach, this chemical is eco-friendly.
Despite its eco-friendly nature, oxygen bleach will remove algae, mildew and mold from cedar. Mix the powdered form of it with one part to a bucket containing four parts water. You can use a nylon bristle brush to remove the debris from the wood after it has been allowed to soak for around 15 minutes.
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Best Siding & Roof Cleaner: Spray & Forget Roof Cleaner
The name sums it up, Spray & Forget cleaner is one of the most natural siding cleaners to use. While best results from users were those used on vinyl siding, the manufacturer also claims it is effective on wooden and metal surfaces, and especially roof shingles.
For those who have environmental concerns, Spray & Forget is listed as non-corrosive it has no bleach, acids, lye, phosphates, or heavy metals. Making it an eco-friendly product by definition.
The non-corrosive formula doesnt require scrubbing or washing to get rid of mold and algae. Moreover, Spray & Forget boast that their product will keep your roof clean for 6-9 months after using it. Be sure if using this product for roofs, you allow the roof to be cool not heated before application.
Spray And Forget Roof Cleaner Video:
Application Method
- Mix Spray and Forget solution: 1 gal. water to 22 oz. part solution and apply with Garden Sprayer
Pros
Removing Algae From Vinyl Siding
There are different solutions and methods of getting algae removed from vinyl siding. One way to remove algae is by using a mixture of liquid dish detergent and water. The detergent helps to prevent algae from building up by removing dirt and grease from the siding.
The best approach is having a professional look at the home at least once. This way, you can be sure that the appropriate cleaners are used to remove algae from vinyl siding. They may also be able to help you identify gutter leaks, broken pipes, and other trouble spots that you need to fix. You can also get tips on how to fight off any new mold and algae from forming between cleanings, too.
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Fill Your Pressure Washer With Solution
Next, fill the pressure washer with the solution.
Be sure that you do not add full-strength bleach into your pressure washer.
If you are in the market for a pressure washer I recommend the Sun Joe SPX3000 2030 Max PSI 1.76 GPM 14.5-Amp Electric High Pressure Washer.
Its a great pressure washer that wont break the bank and still has plenty of power to get any household cleaning job done the right way.
Contact Iron River Construction Today
At Iron River Construction, were the leading remodeling and siding contractor in the Minneapolis area. Whether you need siding installed, repaired, or anything in between, we can help you achieve the clean and sophisticated look you desire.
Weve been in business for more than 16 years and have been recognized as a trusted member of the community since 1992. If youre looking for a family-owned and operated business with an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, then youve come to the right place. Please contact us today and wed be happy to give you a free in-home consultation and quote on your next siding job.
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What Chemicals Will I Need
Youve got some choices when it comes to cleaning solutions. First, let us tell you a bit about using bleach on vinyl siding.
Bleach is used to kill mold spores. If you just use soap and water, you would need to clean your vinyl siding twice a year. It is recommended that you use one quart of bleach to every 5 gallons of cleaning solution. If you use bleach, youll go from cleaning your home every 6 months to cleaning every 9-12 months!
There are various solutions you can use to clean your vinyl siding. Here are some other recipes you can try.
Remember! The most effective bleach to cleaner ratio is
1 quart bleach : 5 gallons cleaner
How To Remove Algae From Vinyl Siding
When it comes to the different types of solution and methods of removing green algae from vinyl siding, you have a few options to choose from. One of the most popular ways of removing algae stains is by using bleach on the siding. When it comes to home maintenance, having issues like these removed and cleaned can help in the look of a home and how long vinyl siding lasts before it needs to be replaced. Keeping up with maintenance like this can be the best decision a homeowner makes.
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Cleaning Vinyl Siding With A Soft
After spraying down your siding with a hose, you can apply the soap. One option for this step is a soft-bristle brush. The bristles work with the soap to help loosen dirt and mold so that you can easily wash it away with water. Individual bristles can also get into the crevices and cracks of textured vinyl. This pushes the soap into places it may not be able to reach otherwise and the scrubbing pressure removes the dirt.
You should clean the sidings in sections, working from bottom to top of the wall, with this process:
- Spray Siding Wet a small section of siding with the hose or water from a bucket. Angle the hose downward or pour water from a bucket from above to avoid forcing water between siding planks.
- Use Brush Run a brush with your chosen cleaner along individual vinyl planks, using a light scrubbing motion when necessary to attack ingrained dirt.
- Rinse Thoroughly Do not let the water and cleaner dry or they can streak and wear the vinyl. Rinse while the siding is still wet to remove all residue.
A long handled brush is best since it lets you reach higher areas without a ladder, but any brush will work. You can also use a sponge or cloth. Just be sure to avoid stiff bristles, steel wool, or other abrasive materials. They can scratch the vinyl.
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Rinse The Solution From The Vinyl Siding
Use a wider tip and low pressure, rinse the vinyl siding.
Make sure you start at the top and work your way down.
This ensures that you dont leave any of the diluted bleach solutions on the vinyl siding.
Pro-Tip: Please ensure that you use the lowest setting first and work up to higher levels.
Doing this will prevent spraying too hard and puncturing the siding.
Apply Baking Soda To Remove Fungi
Baking Soda serves a lot of purposes revolving around daily household needs. It not acts as a smell absorbent but also helps in curing heartburns.
Not only that, it is one of the best fungicides that help in removing molds and mildew with ease. Its safe for you, your family, and your pets because it not only destroys black mold but also absorbs the moisture that attracts it.
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Basic Cleaning Light Mold And Mildew
If it hasnt been that long since youve cleaned your siding, white vinegar can be one of the most natural ways to clean. Vinegar can kill plants, so make sure you cover any special ones before you begin.
Youll need:
- rubber gloves
