When homeowners notice it is time to clean their siding, the first thing many think is “time to get a pressure washer!” Cleaning siding is one of the first things many think of when a pressure washer is involved. If you need to clean your siding and don’t have a pressure washer, you might think you have to go out and buy one, borrow one, or pay more than you want to rent one.
You most likely have everything you need at home to clean your siding without spending extra on a pressure washer or dealing with the hassle of borrowing or renting. Here are a few proven ways to clean your siding without a pressure washer using everyday household items.
Here are two proven ways to clean your siding without a pressure washer.
1. Bleach Mixture
This combination is one of the most common and effective solutions for cleaning your siding. Bleach is especially effective in getting rid of mold and mildew on siding.
What you need:
1/3 cup powdered laundry detergent
2/3 powdered household cleaner
1 quart liquid laundry bleach
1 gallon of water
Mix together in a garden sprayer and use a strong stream setting on your hose to blast off the dirt, mold, and grime. Spray the solution on your siding, let sit for about t5-10 minutes depending on how dirty your siding is, and then rinse off. If your siding has a considerable amount of mold, you might want to repeat this several times before your siding is clean.
When using bleach, make sure to cover up any clothing, plants, outdoor furniture, or anything else that might get in the way. Keep children and pets away.
2. Vinegar Solution
Vinegar is a more environmentally friendly householder cleaner than bleach and works just as well at dissolving mildew, mold, and dirt on siding and other surfaces.
What you need:
Large Scrub Brush
Small Scrub Brush
White Vinegar
Baking Soda
Water
Ladder
Robber Gloves
Bucket
Small plastic container
Use the small scrub brush for smaller, tighter areas. Mix together a solution of 70/30 mixture of water to vinegar. The easiest way to mix is 7 cups of water to 3 cups of vinegar. Then, mix a paste of baking soda and water, a good mixture is ½ cup of baking soda to ¼ cup of water into a gritty paste.
To make it easier, clean the siding in sections. Also, be sure to cover up plants to protect them from the vinegar. Wear rubber gloves to protect your hands from the harsh acids in the vinegar and use the baking soda paste for tough stains.
We recommend testing a small area of siding before cleaning your entire home as damage might occur depending on the type of siding. Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines when cleaning.
