Keeping your siding clean is one of the best ways to extend the life of your home. For maximum protection of your investment, it’s important to thoroughly wash your siding at least once per year.

Pressure washing your siding is one of the easiest and most cost effective ways to remove mold, mildew, dirt, algae, and debris to keep your siding clean. A pressure washer uses approximately 80% less water than your garden hose, and is up to 50% more powerful.

There are a few things to remember to complete your cleaning project safely, and correctly. For best results, pressure wash your vinyl siding on a clear, low wind day. Remember to use an extension pole, or telescoping wand to reach 2nd and 3rd floors; never stand on a ladder when using a pressure washer. Always wear safety glasses to protect your eyes when using a pressure washer.

To begin, gather your tools. You’ll need:

  • Pressure washer with telescoping or extension wand for upper floors
  • Hedge trimmer
  • Safety glasses
  • Heavy work gloves
  • Garden hose
  • Scrub brush safe for use on vinyl
  • Heavy duty garbage bags
  • Duct tape
  • Dish detergent
  • Water source

Once you’ve gathered your tools, you’ll need to prepare a few areas around your home. In a few easy steps, you can have your house ready for pressure washing.

  • Turn off power to all external open outlets
  • Wrap light fixtures with garbage bags and duct tape
  • Remove or cover furniture and other items like grills, sheds, etc.
  • Check all windows and doors to make sure they are tightly closed
  • Inspect bushes and foliage around your home and trim any areas where they are touching the siding
  • Use your garden hose to wet down shrubs, bushes and other plants near your home to help protect them from the cleaning solution

Once you’ve completed your prep, you’ll be ready to begin pressure washing. You can purchase power washing solution from your local home store, but you can also mix your own pressure washing solution by mixing 1 part dish soap, to 10 parts water. Keeping that balance will help to prevent over-sudsing, and the need for excess rinsing and water usage.

It is extremely important to read through your owner’s manual, and follow all use instructions for your power washer.

When you’re ready to begin, hook your machine up to your water source, and connect the soap as directed (usually putting a tube in the soap, or filling a solution reservoir). Use the low pressure sudsing tip for your power washer (usually the black tip). Turn on the machine and hold the spray trigger until detergent is visible in the water stream.

Work from bottom to top to prevent streaks from dirt and soap on unwashed areas. Complete small areas at a time so that the detergent does not dry before you can rinse it off. When possible, avoid direct sunlight which will speed up drying time. Once you have a section sprayed down, let the solution rest for 5-10 minutes. Use a brush to scrub any areas that are especially dirty, or need extra attention.

Set the nozzle to high pressure, or switch to high pressure tip. Press the spray trigger and let the water run for a minute to remove any excess detergent from the line. Hold the spray gun tightly with both hands, keeping the nozzle about 1 ft away from the house at all times. Rinse with clean water working from the top down, spraying side to side at a consistent speed. Never spray windows directly, and make sure you stay at least 10 ft away from any power lines.

To protect your home, it’s important not to get water behind the vinyl siding, so don’t spray up, and don’t spray into the seams or your siding.

Once your siding dries, you should be left with a beautiful, clean home that is sure to keep your family healthy and happy for many years.