Cleaning Vinyl Siding with Your Pressure Washer

If you have vinyl siding on your home, you may be wondering how tedious it is to give it a good cleaning. With the right pressure washer, this job can be easy and finished quickly if done in an efficient manner. Here are some tips on cleaning your vinyl siding.

What You’ll Need:

• A pressure washer with multiple nozzles
• A brush with an extendable handle
• A water hose
• Multi-use soap (concentrate)
• Towels

Step 1: Inspect. Walk around your home; look for cracks and/or lose pieces of vinyl. Double check your windows, as you’ll want them to be shut. Also, check the caulking and glazing on the windows so water doesn’t find its way in, even while the windows are closed.

Step 2: Water. Before beginning the job, walk around your home and water the garden bed and any other plants lying around the outside of your home (those within close proximity). You’ll want to soak the soil so chemicals from the washing will be diluted and plants won’t be harmed.

Step 3: Add the soap. Pour the soap into the reservoir of the pressure washer. Of course, you’ll want to make sure before ever leaving the store that the brand you’re considering is safe for siding, windows, and sidewalks. Install the soap tip to the washer wand; the soap tip emits a low-pressure blast at a wide angle (60 degrees). This allows the volume of soap to be emitted with wider coverage across the siding.

Step 4: Wash. Turn on your washer; don’t point the wand up and don’t direct the spray to where the vinyl lengths overlap; this will cause the water to penetrate the insulation located between panels, which can lead to water damage. Use a ladder if necessary. Use a dry towel on areas that are misted by the spray, such as corners and crevices where boards end. Cover the siding in soap, keeping the wand tip at a 45-degree angle to the window and trim. This angle will help lift and remove dirt/debris in a more efficient manner, as opposed to hitting it directly. Be aware of the level of soap in your washer; you may need to refill it depending upon how dirty the siding is.

Step 5: Rinse. Turn off the washer and switch the tip to one of general usage. A 15-20 degree angle provides a stronger stream of pressure that removes soap on the surface and dirt that has been loosened up during the wash. Follow the same spray technique as before; don’t spray up against the vinyl or into corners. The pressure is much stronger now, so the washer is capable of doing more damage than during the application of soap.

Step 6: Clean and dry. Using a dry towel, remove any residue on the inner and outer corners of the siding; this will absorb moisture in sensitive areas that can easily fall victim to water damage.