Vinyl is the exterior material used for most mobile homes. However, its popularity isn’t limited to mobile homes – many manufactured homes and site built homes utilize this versatile material. Even though it’s relatively easy to maintain, vinyl gets dirty pretty quickly.
Below are some practical ways to clean your vinyl siding. Most options are cheap and use household items/ cleaners.
First things first – before you begin utilizing these cleaning solutions and methods, be sure you test one small area of the siding before taking on the whole project. There are many different types of siding and you want to be sure your siding reacts well.
The Basics—
In a resource section of their website, The Vinyl Siding Institute – America Sides With VinylSM, recommends using a soft cloth or regular long-handled brush with soft bristles to clean vinyl. It is suggested that you should clean from the bottom up and cover any brick on the home below the siding to prevent possible staining from runoff.
For mold and mildew, The Vinyl Siding Institute recommends a water/ vinegar mixture that is 70/30. For small areas, Windex ® or a similar commercial cleaner can be used.
The following can be used for Stubborn Stains—
1/3 cup powered laundry detergent
2/3 cup powdered household cleaner
1 quart liquid laundry bleach*
1 Gallon of water
**Please exercise CAUTION when making any cleaning solution and be sure to NEVER mix bleach and ammonia.**
If you’ve got a garden or great landscaping around your home, you want to be sure to preserve the area while cleaning.
For a mixture that is Landscaping friendly—
Some websites suggest using a gallon of water mixed with a much smaller amount of an eco-friendly cleaner like oxygen bleach.
If these solutions aren’t for you – there is always pressure washing. It’s a little pricier to rent the equipment, but paired with one of the cleaning solutions above it will make for a powerful clean!
Pressure washing—
Most expert sites agree, that when pressure washing, it is best practice to pair with a cleaning solution. Be sure to tend to landscaping accordingly. Also, when washing keep the sprayer eye level for best results. This keeps water from getting behind the siding.
We hope this has been helpful!
