Snow, slush, and moisture can easily make your siding look dirty during the winter season. This is especially true when snow and mud mix together, making you wonder how to clean vinyl siding in the winter. With a little bit of extra prep work, you can make your vinyl siding sparkle like fresh snow on a sunny day!
Here’s the truth about cleaning vinyl siding in the winter–cold weather can present unique challenges for cleaning vinyl siding. This guide, made for New England homeowners just like you, provides practical tips for cleaning your vinyl siding effectively during the colder months.
Special considerations when cleaning vinyl siding in the winter
You’ve decided that you want to scrub some winter dirt from your siding during the winter. Before you begin, make sure you consider the following potential obstacles that you might run into:
- Cold Temperatures: Cleaning solutions can freeze quickly. Prevent this by cleaning your vinyl siding on a mild winter day for cleaning. You may also use lukewarm water in your solutions.
- Snow and Ice: Remove any snow or ice near the siding before cleaning. This prevents re-soiling and makes access easier.
- Limited Daylight: With shorter days, plan your cleaning early to maximize as much daylight as possible. Don’t miss a spot–good visibility is essential for effective cleaning!
- Safety Concerns: Wear non-slip shoes or use non-slip mats when you are cleaning vinyl siding in the winter. Surfaces may be slippery!
Avoid pressure washing, cleaners containing harmful solvents, undiluted bleach, liquid grease remover, nail polish remover, or furniture polish.
Tools, soaps, and solutions to clean your vinyl siding in the winter
If you want your siding to look impressively clean during the winter season, the first step is to have the correct tools on hand. To get your siding nice and clean, you’ll need the following:
- A soft cloth or a long-handled, soft bristle brush for cleaning vinyl siding.
- For textured surfaces, a soft bristle brush is essential to avoid staining the grooves.
- These brushes are recommended by Royal Building Products, which are gentle yet effective while resisting damage.
What soaps and cleaning solutions work for cleaning vinyl siding?
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General cleaners:
- Simple Green®
- Nice & Easy®
- Armor All®
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Stain Cleaners
- Fantastik®
- Murphy Oil Soap®
- Windex®
- Lestoil®
Top cleaning tools for hard-to-reach areas
- Extension poles
- Garden sprayer
- Hose attachments
- Use extreme caution when climbing a ladder!
Avoid streaks on your siding with these helpful tips
Begin at the bottom of your house and gradually work upwards. This technique helps in preventing streaks caused by cleaning solutions dripping down the siding.
Be sure to rinse each section with water immediately after applying the cleaning solution. This step is crucial to prevent the solution from drying and leaving residues.
How to scrub away siding stains
Stains come in all shapes and sizes. You may find new stains from the season or old stains that you missed during summer or fall. If you are wondering how to clean vinyl siding in the winter, here are several ways that you can remove stains:
General atmospheric dirt and grime stain removal steps
Atmospheric dirt tends to collect over the seasons, sticking to your siding as it blows in from the wind. This is normal and easy to remove by:
- Applying a mild cleaner like Simple Green® using a spray bottle.
- Gently scrub with a soft bristle brush for 1-2 minutes, or until the stain disappears.
- Rinsing thoroughly with water immediately after scrubbing.
Removing mold and mildew from vinyl siding
Vinyl siding is generally resistant to mold and mildew growth. But if your siding is very old, you might run into this problem. You can mold and mildew with the following steps:
- Use a solution of 30% vinegar and 70% water, or commercial cleaners like Fantastik® or Windex®.
- Scrub the affected area for 2-3 minutes.
- Rinse off the cleaning solution completely with water.
Cleaning off paint splatters
Paint splatters make your siding look old and worn. Scrub it away with the following steps:
- Use the recommended scrub brush for gentle abrasion.
- Scrub the spot for about 2 minutes.
- Rinse off the area well to remove any cleaner residue.
Wiping away motor oil
Motor oil will make any siding look unsightly. You can have success in removing it if you:
- Use a solution of 30% vinegar and 70% water, or commercial cleaners like Fantastik® or Windex®.
- Scrub the affected area for 2-3 minutes.
- Rinse off the cleaning solution completely with water.
How to clean vinyl siding in the winter: can you use a pressure washer?
Power washers can be effective but must be used cautiously. Be aware that pressure washing the siding may void your warranty. Follow the siding manufacturer’s recommendations–this is always the safest way to clean vinyl siding!
Siding still looks dirty? Consider winter siding installation
No matter the season, cleaning your vinyl siding won’t always give you the results that you want. This is especially true if your siding has:
- Cracks
- Holes
- Missing panels
- Fading
The good news is that it’s possible to install vinyl siding in the winter. Experienced with installation in all seasons and types of weather, just reach out to us if you are looking for energy efficient, beautiful, and clean vinyl siding.
