When Thoughts Turn to Spring Cleaning, 6 Simple Tips Can Keep Your Vinyl Siding Looking New
Vinyl siding demands the least amount of time and resources to maintain
WASHINGTON, April 7, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- With a long winter finally a memory, you'd probably rather be gardening or golfing than tackling pesky spring cleaning chores. The good news is that if your home has vinyl siding, cleaning the outside of your home is a breeze.
"Vinyl siding is the exterior cladding that demands the least amount of time and resources to maintain," says Vicki Payne, host of the PBS television program For Your Home. "With nothing more than a hose and water, mild soap and a long-handled soft bristle brush, you can keep your home looking its best and have plenty of time to enjoy spring."
Compare that to your neighbors' houses: brick requires re-pointing of mortar, fiber cement requires periodic painting and caulking, wood requires frequent painting and staining, and stucco requires painting and sealing.
Here are Payne's tips on cleaning your vinyl siding:
- Mix four gallons of water and 1/4 cup of dish soap in a large bucket.
- Start at the bottom and work your way up to prevent streaks, hosing off a section to remove any loose debris, then wet your brush in the cleaning solution and scrub the siding. Be sure to rinse away the soapy water before it dries, or it will leave marks on the siding.
- Small spots of mold and mildew can be cleaned with common all-purpose household cleaners.
- Have stains? Try a solution of 30 percent vinegar and 70 percent water. Be sure to spot check any general or stain-specific cleaner before using it on a large section of siding. After removing the stain, rinse thoroughly with water.
- Do not use cleaners containing organic solvents, undiluted chlorine bleach, liquid grease remover, nail polish remover or furniture polish or cleaners.
- If using a pressure washer, keep the stream at eye level and pointed straight at the siding, not at an angle, so you won't drive water in behind the siding, which could cause mold to develop. Take note that some manufacturers don't want pressure washers used on their products at all. Others have limitations on the amount of pressure and the cleaners that can be used.
"With just a little bit of time and effort, vinyl siding can be kept looking like new and will provide many years of trouble-free beauty for your home," Payne said.
To learn more, visit www.vinylsiding.org.
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150407/197007
SOURCE Vinyl Siding Institute, Inc.
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