Folks, This may seem melodramatic, however, I confused as heck about vinyl siding cleaner and was wondering if folks could provide advice on what to use. Here is more information: I have a commercial pressure washer with every tip and attachment that Northern Tool sells, along with backpack and tank sprayers, hose-end sprayers etc. Siding cleaners such as Mold Armor (one gallon of concentrate on hand) use Sodium Hypochlorite as the active ingredient. Sodium Hypochlorite is the active ingredient in household bleach as well as 30 Second Solution, of which I have 5 gallons The internet is chock full of conflicting information: "It's safe to use household bleach on wood and vinyl siding:...."DON'T USE BLEACH ON WOOD OR VINYL SIDING! IT WILL CAUSE THE SUN TO GO DARK!" The house has a combination of routine dirt and mold/algae on areas that don't get much sunlight Any advice on what to use would be appreciated. Thanks!
household bleach, heavy duty cleaner de-greaser mixed together + water. that is about what the deck and siding cleaners are. I bought some listed siding cleaner last year, doesn't do any better than my homemade stuff which is 50% or more cheaper and I even used a scrub brush. The store bought stuff was supposed to have residual action - not at my place got to do over again this year when it warms up a bit more. Any of this will trash plantings close by if not covered. also useful for cleaning ac coils but do not use your pressure washer on those as those fins on the tubes are delicate. a garden sprayer works but I use a air compressor with a siphon gun dialed down to where there is just enough air to make the siphon function work about 20-30 psi. from a big bucket of mix and then come back with just a clear rinse.
Go to CertainTeed website (or any other major siding manufacturer) for their "recipe". It's usually 2 or 3 common cleaning chemicals mixed with water. Iirc working up from the bottom is important.
My wife bought a gallon of all purpose cleaner to put in the pressure washer on our house that we put a large chunk of change into only a couple of years ago including new siding and gutters. She read directions on it and what it was safe for. The stuff works and there's no issues. I think it was just from Home Depot. I doubt there's much difference between any of the commercial mixes, but surely you could make your own
So chlorine basically...if used heavily around plants, that'll be the end of them...but if you do use this, do it on a sunny day, sunlight knocks chlorine down pretty quickly. For me, the best thing I have found is whatever siding cleaner that is on sale at Menards, and a telescoping (RV) scrub brush...its some work, but it works very well! If you decide to use the pressure washer, make sure you are not pointing it at an upward angle...downward is best for sure! Reason being (according to my neighbor that works part time for a power washing service) is that all the siding and trim is made to work with gravity, and the fact that most moisture falls down, not up from underneath, like a pressure washer stream would be from the ground (without specializing gooseneck extensions) so you can easily drive water up under the siding, which if the house wrap (tar paper?) was installed properly, may not be a big deal but driving water into window/door weep holes is never good. He (my neighbor) claims that they see a lot of issues that homeowners cause by just goin at it with a new pressure washer and a case of "git-r-dun" Amazon.com: EVERSPROUT 7-to-24 Foot Scrub Brush (30 Foot Reach) | Built-in Rubber Bumper | Heavy-Duty Extension Pole Handle | Soft Bristles wash Car, RV, Boat, Solar Panel, Deck, Floor | Bumper Prevents Scratch : Automotive
The power washing guy we use at work uses a 1:1 liquid chlorine mix on vinyl siding and many other surfaces. He swears by it. But you have to soak any plants/shrubs that might be affected before spraying. Then soak the plants again after rinsing off the siding
Noooo good for planter box Tomato plants on the deck. Buddies wife set her bucket of mixed down on the deck while taking a break from cleaning. It got used.......
