Your home’s siding is just as susceptible to dirt and grime as your car. Vinyl siding can be just as easy to clean than your car.
You can maintain your home’s beauty with a few simple tools: a hose, water, mild soap, and a soft bristle toothbrush.
“When it comes to beauty, value, and ease of maintenance, nothing comes close to vinyl siding, which is why it has been the leading exterior cladding in the U.S. and Canada since 1995,” said Jery Y. Huntley, president & CEO of the Vinyl Siding Institute.
Vinyl siding is the exterior cladding which requires the least time and effort to maintain. This is a great option for homeowners who are short on time.
Compare this to your neighbor’s houses:
* Brick requires re-pointing of mortar.
* Fiber cement siding requires periodic painting and caulking.
* Wood siding requires frequent painting and staining.
* Stucco requires painting and sealing.
Vinyl siding… but it’s easy to make vinyl siding look great and be the envy of your neighbors.
First, pour your cleaning solution into a large container. You should have four gallons of water, 1/4 cup dish soap and enough to get the job done.
To prevent streaks, start at the top and work your way to the bottom. Next, rinse off one section of siding to get rid of any loose debris. Finally, wet your brush with the cleaning solution and scrub it.
It is important to wash off the soapy water immediately it dries. Otherwise, it can leave marks on your siding.
Common cleaners such Fantastik and Windex can be used to clean small areas of mold or mildew.
Do you have stains? You can try a mixture of 70% water and 30 percent vinegar.
Before using any stain-specific or general cleaner on large sections of siding, make sure you spot check it. Rinse thoroughly with water after removing the stain. Avoid using cleaners that contain organic solvents, undiluted bleach, liquid grease removers, nail polish removers or furniture polishes. They can cause damage to the siding’s surface.
When using a pressure washer, make sure that the stream is at eye level and directed directly at siding. You won’t let water seep behind sidings, which can lead to mold. Use caution around plumbing connections, windows, doors, and other openings.
It is important to note that not all manufacturers allow pressure washers on their products. Others allow them but limit the amount of pressure or the cleaning agents that can be used.
Vinyl siding can be maintained looking good with just a bit of effort and time. “like new”Vinyl siding will last for many years and provide beauty and elegance to your home. Visit vinyl siding to learn more. www.vinylsiding.org.
