The Top Tools For Cleaning Vinyl Siding So It Looks As Good As New

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A home with dingy or worn-looking exterior siding can drag down your curb appeal in seconds — and may find yourself becoming "persona non grata" with neighbors. Siding that becomes too unkempt may become home to unsightly algae or house-damaging pests such as spiders, termites, wasps, and ants. However, armed with the right cleaning tools, you can erase years of grime and get your home's vinyl siding back to its original shine in one afternoon. The main tools on the list include a vinyl cleaner, a spray water hose, and an extension ladder. There are alternatives you can use as well.

Vinyl siding is renowned for its durability and its low price point. Though it can stand up to tough elements, it will begin showing signs of wear and tear from common causes like pollen, dust, pests, and everyday air pollution. The challenges with cleaning it are often related to the inability to reach its upper levels on a home easily, and in many cases, it can be an exhaustive task even for a small home. However, this is where a few practical, time-saving tools can come to your rescue to make this project less labor-intensive.

Utilizing a spray water hose or pressure washer (aka "power washer") is one of the best things you can do for your back and arms when cleaning your vinyl siding. A water hose with a nozzle sprayer gives you the force you need to remove dead bugs, spider webs, and those random blades of grass that seem to stick after a fresh lawn mowing. The Unywarse 50-foot garden hose is perfect for this, and it'll give you the reach and flexibility you need to cover large areas with minimal movement.

For those harder to remove stains such as algae, dried mud, or bird droppings, you have the much-loved pressure washer option.  One of the greatest things about pressure washers is their versatility — the same machine can also be used to clean your gutters, cement driveways, or wooden patios. For example, you can change the washer's setting so that it is strong enough to remove tough stains but gentle enough so that it does not damage or break your vinyl. A good pressure washing will have your dirty vinyl siding standing out in no time.

Also, one product that you can use to get rid of the algae and mold is Simple Green's Oxy Solve Cleaner. Peroxide is the stain-fighting ingredient in this concentrated cleaner — and it cleans up to 6,000 square feet. Another cleaner with rave reviews is Wet & Forget's Multi-Surface Cleaner, which comes with a hose attachment for a quick connection to your pressure washer. It is also bleach-free, non-acidic, and is safe for use on decks, driveways, and other outdoor areas.

Then there are times when you simply must get in there and put in a little elbow grease — and this is where vinyl cleaning brushes and ladders come in handy. Vinyl cleaning brushes, like the Unger Professional Soft Wash brush, can clean from multiple angles, making maneuvering around your home easy. These brushes usually have long handles, non-scratch bristles, and may come with a water-flow pole so that you can soften hardened stains with jets of water as you clean.

Another great aspect of these brushes made specifically for cleaning vinyl is their telescopic extension — you can typically pair them with a pole for extended reach. If you have any hard-to-reach siding areas on the upper stories of your home, a trusty telescopic ladder is a must-have. A good 14-foot to 20-foot ladder (depending on your home's height) can prevent you from overreaching, allowing you to tackle stubborn algae stains and other tough spots with more precision and stability.