So, you are planning on washing the siding of your home. We have established that you have vinyl siding, but the real question here is what to clean it with? You don’t want chemicals in your pressure washer that can mess the vinyl siding up or even the pressure washer itself.
I am going to give you some ideas for products to use that will leave your home sparkling clean and where to find them at. Also, some tips to make the job even easier.
Simply Green May Be a Perfect Fit!
Simply Green removes dirt, grime and environmental pollution from vinyl siding with little effort on your part. The great thing about this product is that it can remove mildew and that is a hard thing to remove off your home. So, even stains that would normally stay, wash away easily.
The best thing about this product other than the amazing cleaning power is the fact that it is nontoxic. It does not harm the environment and is completely bio-degradable. You can use it around pets and children without the worry of harmful chemicals. It does not harm the pressure washer either!
Where can you buy it?
Amazon sells Simply Green in a gallon size jug. The great thing is, you can use it on other projects if you feel up to it like a shed or gazebo. Do make sure you get the Simply Green from the link. Amazon sells more Simply Green products, but they are not listed for vinyl siding.
Want Some More Options?
Pressure Washing Katy (Pressurewashingkaty.com) recommends the second-best vinyl siding cleaners for use in a pressure washer is CLR. Most would not think to use this for vinyl siding, but it really gets the job done! It is used mainly on sinks and in dishwashers, but it can be used in pressure washers for vinyl siding.
What does it clean away?
CLR cleans away more than just calcium lime and rust. The stains that can be caused by hard water minerals are washed easily off. If this product can clean off the stains in your coffee maker, then it can clean the mildew off siding.
The environment is safe with this product too!
It is biodegradable and grass and shrubs or any other plants it meets are safe from harm. It has an EPA and DFE formula for safer chemistry. It is a USDA certified biobased product up to 80 percent.
You can find CLR on Amazon in a gallon size for about $15. It has a 4 and half start rating out of 232 customers, so it is a well-liked product that you can use in your pressure washer and get things clean.
If You Are Having a Hard Time Removing Grime This Might Help.
Krud Cutter is great if all other products have failed and you still cannot remove stains off of your siding. If your home is located next to pine trees and you have sap that you just cannot seem to remove, Krud Cutter is the one to use.
Krud Cutter is not safe for use around children or pets and that is why I say to use only if you are having a difficult time removing pine or other hard to remove stains. You can get it on Amazon for a gallon size. There are others in this brand. I would only use this one as a last resort.
Here Are Some Extra Tips.
Now that you have the top three best cleaners for the job at hand, I want to give you some tips that I think will help you tremendously!
Before you start:
- Cover any fragile glass that can be damaged by the pressure washer.
- Remove all toys or furniture away from your home. (This will make walking around the home a breeze)
- Turn off power outlets to the house that may get wet during this cleaning process.
- Make sure all windows and doors are shut tight.
Easy Cleaning Tips:
- Work in small sections. Don’t try to accomplish the whole house at once. Take frequent breaks!
- Start from the Top and work your way down in each section.
- Eco-Friendly products make it easier to use around plants and is better for the environment.
- Let stains soak with a detergent before spraying them.
Last Words of Advice Before You Begin.
Before you start your project, you should check out this information by Bob Villa. He has been around for some time and gives great advice on projects such as these.
You can also find this video by Greg Handyman at youtube.com. It is short and straight to the point but gives a quick rundown.
Remember to always take safety precautions with any chemicals. Enjoy easy cleaning!