How to Clean Your Siding Without a Pressure Washer?

Helen Skeates
Helen Skeates
16 min read

How can you clean your siding without using a pressure washer? If your pressure washer has to be fixed or isn’t working properly, use the instructions in this article to clean your siding by hand instead. Make it a point to read through and follow these simple instructions!

If you’re intending to clean your home’s siding today or the day before the event, follow these procedures and tips I’ve prepared for you.

The first step is to determine the type of siding on your home. You might be unsure of where to begin due of the wide variety of siding options. Using this information can help you identify the best way to clean. In addition, improper cleaning of sidings might result in damage to the siding or the wall. If you’re still interested in this topic, keep reading!

How to Clean Your Siding Without a Pressure Washer

Having a pressure washer to remove dirt from a home’s siding might make it appear more welcoming, right? Wrong. You can use a pressure washer to clean your home’s siding, but there are many other techniques to remove the dirt and grime. Without a pressure washer, you can clean your siding.

How To Clean Siding Without A Power Washer! - Bigger Than the Three of Us

Gather your tools

You’ll need a brush, TSP (trisodium phosphate), a bucket, a hose, water, a ladder, and plenty of elbow work to clean your siding without a pressure washer. Many believe that using a pressure washer to clean the exterior of a home is a waste of time and effort, but it is possible to get a superior result by scrubbing the exterior by hand. Pressure washers are also more likely to harm your siding, so keep that in mind as you get started.

Mix your cleaning solution

TSP can be mixed with water for cleaning if you follow the instructions on the bottle. If you see mildew on your siding, you may want to consider using a mildewcide. Start by brushing your siding, and then you can get started with the cleaning.

Inspect and remove large debris

To clean your entire house in one day is a bad idea. You don’t want to overdo it and damage yourself by cleaning the entire house at once. Get your stepladder and climb up the wall you’ll be working on to get a better view. After inspecting the siding for damage, use a stiff wire brush to give it a light cleaning. Remove any large pieces of trash and loose dirt that may be clinging onto the siding by using this method.

Spray the siding with water

Spray the portion of siding that you’re working on with a garden hose to keep the rest of the siding dry. Spray in a downward manner to avoid allowing water to seep under the siding, which could lead to decay and other problems.

Scrub with cleaner

Remove the grime and dirt off the siding using a scrub brush and TSP/water cleaning. After that, use a garden hose to rinse the siding, and then apply a new cleaning solution. Then move on to the next wall and repeat the procedure on each piece of it. It’s not easy, but it’ll pay off in the long run. ‘

Visit the Windows Plus blog frequently for more information on how to care for your home’s siding.

Tips To Clean Siding Without Pressure Washer

The slides must be cleaned before the appliances, electrical outlets, windows, and other components are checked. Electric accidents can be caused by water. To keep your home’s electronics and furniture safe, follow these simple guidelines. Cleaning siding without a pressure washer can be accomplished in the following ways:

#1. Unplug wires and cover the outlets

Make sure all the wires inside are unplugged. A window that gets a lot of water during cleaning necessitated the installation of a few electrical outlets. The best course of action is to use plastic wrap to protect your appliances, electrical outlets, and furnishings. Clothes easily absorbed water and were unable to keep themselves dry or damp.

#2.  Close windows

Close the windows and secure them with a strong lock. It’s not a good idea to have open or loose windows because this can lead to water spilling inside the house. As a result, make certain that all of the windows are shut tightly.

#3. Cover landscape features

Tarps can be used to protect landscape features that have been erected outside. It will keep them dry and protect them from becoming damaged by water. In addition to protecting your landscape, this product will also save you time and energy by preventing reorganization or cleaning.

#4. Remove obstacles

Check the exterior of the house for damage. All obstructions that are leaning or drooping into the siding should be removed and stored away. Do not put it close to your siding wall. Remove any bushes that could get in the way of your cleaning efforts.

#5. Check your siding

Vinyl, insulated, fiber cement, wood, and clean wood are just a few of the siding options available. A pressure washer should not be used to clean the vinyl or insulated siding since it can damage the material. Pressurized water is likely to cause damage to the siding on both sides. Because of this, it is critical to know the capabilities of your siding. Find the manufacturer’s website and instructions on how to clean their products if you know what kind of siding you have.

If there are any holes or damages that go undetected, you need to find these as well. In order to keep your siding in good condition and prevent it from deteriorating, you must regularly remove the dust and grime that accumulates.

#6. Test your solution or detergent

Cleaning isn’t the only thing you need to focus on when it comes to siding protection. A wide variety of solutions and detergents are available from a variety of manufacturers. Sadly, not all of them can be applied to your situation. Do a small amount of testing first if this is your first time cleaning or purchasing a product. Clean a little area and see the effects it has on it. What happens to the paint or siding if you use dishwashing detergent? Buy other items if you discover side effects. You might also be interested in learning how to use a pressure washer to clean a metal roof or a wood fence.

Steps In Cleaning Siding Without Pressure Washer

With a pressure washer, siding washing is a cinch. You can quickly remove dirt and dust from the siding thanks to the high water pressure. Suppose, on the other hand, that you do not have pressure water or that it is broken. You’ll have no choice except to manually clean and brush it.

Step #1. Remove cob webs and dirt

To begin, use a broomstick, rag, or brush to sweep up any loose debris and dust. Scrub it with the cleaning solution and let it dry. You can use a wand to clean the upper part of the room. If you have no cleaning wand, you can use a brush and attach it to a broomstick or any solid and long stick to reach out to several areas. In addition to this, you can also utilize a latter. Learn how to remove dust cobwebs from your home.

Step #2. Scrub with a wire brush

Stains on the siding can be removed with a normal brush. Wire brushes are great for scraping it clean. Fiber cement siding can also be cleaned of tough mildew with this method.

Step #3. Rinse

Remove all stains, molds, and mildews by rinsing it with soap and water. Rinsing is the final stage, although in some cases, it can be disastrous. Sometimes they forgot to check the sidings or walls for any harm. Holes can allow water to get into a home.

How To Clean Siding Without A Power Washer! - Bigger Than the Three of Us

Need a hand with your cleaning project?

Allow the professionals to handle the grunt work of cleaning up after you. Compare prices from the most reliable outside cleaning professionals in your region right now on CostHelper.com.

Fortunately, removing common stains from vinyl siding is a simple task made easier by the availability of a wide range of cleaning agents. Continue reading to learn how to properly clean vinyl siding.

The Vinyl Siding Institute recommends using a soft cloth or a long-handled, soft-bristle brush to clean vinyl siding. Start at the bottom of the home and work your way up to avoid streaking. Rinse vinyl siding well after cleaning to remove any residue.

Some good vinyl sider cleaner solutions include:

  • This all-purpose vinyl siding cleaner removes mildew and mildew stains with 70 percent water and 30 percent white vinegar.
  • One-third cup powdered laundry detergent, two-thirds cup powdered home cleanser, one-quarter cup powdered laundry bleach, and one gallon of water should be mixed together for a stronger solution.
  • If you’re concerned about the appearance of your landscaping, mix one gallon of water with one cup of oxygen bleach in a bucket to make a vinyl siding cleaner solution. Vinyl can be cleaned with the oxygen bleach without harming your landscaping.
  • Using Simple Green’s ecologically friendly cleanser on vinyl and aluminum siding, stucco and terra cotta roof tiles, as well as painted wood, is safe and effective. For manual or pressure-washing application, the biodegradable concentration is non-toxic and safe.
  • If you’re looking to get rid of stubborn dirt and stains such as those caused by dirt from the top layer of the soil as well as grease, oil and rust, you can use household cleaners such as Fantastik and Murphy’s Oil Soap to get the job done. Stains caused by rust can be eliminated with the use of certain products (e.g., Super Iron Out and Instant Rust Out).

Top tips for using a pressure washer:

Although some vinyl siding manufacturers advise against using a pressure washer to clean vinyl siding, others encourage using only a limited amount of power.

Make sure that the stream of water is at eye level and pointed directly at the siding, and not at an upward angle, before using a pressure washer to clean vinyl siding. That way, water won’t get behind the siding and do damage. Pressure washers should be used with caution around openings such as windows, doors, and pipes.

What not to do:

Remove any liquid grease, nail polish remover, or furniture polish or cleaners from your cleaning supplies if they include organic solvents. If you use any of them, you run the risk of damaging the vinyl siding’s finish. To avoid damaging your vinyl siding while cleaning it, avoid using abrasive scrubbers or steel wool.

If you put in a little effort, vinyl siding may be maintained to look like new and protect your home for many years.

How To Clean Exterior Siding Without A Pressure Washer?

FAQs

How do you clean siding by hand?

If you’re looking to clean up a lot of filth, all you’ll need is a bucket of soapy water, a soft bristle brush, and an outside water source. Hand-apply the soapy solution, then use the garden hose to thoroughly rinse the siding.

What is the easiest way to clean siding?

Using a mild cleaner like dish soap and water or vinegar and water is the best way to clean vinyl siding. A commercial vinyl siding cleaner, on the other hand, will take care of the task for you. Using a soft-bristled brush or microfiber cloth, apply the solution and scrub the siding, then rinse it off with water from the hose.

Can you wash siding with hose?

You can clean your vinyl siding without damaging it by using a soft bristles brush, a garden hose, and some cleanser. In comparison to the more harmful methods, both the garden hose and a soft bristles brush are less complicated to use.

How do you clean dirty siding?

Mold and mildew stains on vinyl siding are easily removed with a 70/30 vinegar/water combination. One-third cup powdered laundry detergent, two-thirds cup powdered home cleanser, one-quarter cup powdered laundry bleach, and one gallon of water should be mixed together for a stronger solution.

Why you should not pressure wash your house?

Do not pressure wash any electrical fixtures, even if they are on the outside of your house or in your yard. A rainfall is no match for pressure washing, which may force water into cracks and crevices, causing costly repairs and damage to the surface.

Will bleach harm vinyl siding?

Is bleach safe to use on vinyl? For hard baked-on dirt, soot, stains, mold, and mildew, Clorox is a better choice than detergents for cleaning vinyl siding. When properly diluted and fully washed from the surface, Clorox bleach will not affect vinyl siding

Does CLR work on vinyl siding?

As long as you dilute CLR Brilliant Bath with water and properly rinse the surface in less than two minutes, you can use it on vinyl siding without damaging it. Studies have shown that if CLR Brilliant Bath is left on the surface for more than five minutes, the siding’s top coat would be damaged.

How do you clean vinyl siding high?

Spray a mixture of dish soap and warm water onto the surface with a garden sprayer. Use a light brush to gently scrub the surface. You can reach the higher parts of the siding with a pole-mounted brush.

It’s A Wrap!

Using your bare hands to clean the siding might be exhausting. Things feels good to know you did a good job cleaning it up and getting rid of all the grime. Take safety precautions while cleaning the siding without a pressure washer. How to clean siding without using a pressure washer has now been explained to you.

Helen Skeates

Helen Skeates

Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It has survived not only five centuries, but also the leap into electronic typesetting, remaining essentially unchanged. It was popularised in the 1960s with the release of Letraset sheets containing Lorem Ipsum passages, and more recently with desktop publishing software like Aldus PageMaker including versions of Lorem Ipsum.