If you are shopping for your annual or semi-annual spring cleaning supplies, you might just want to add vinyl siding cleaner to the list. Whether you have a pressure washer or not…
I can’t stress enough the importance of a siding mold cleaner which works well. Simply, I prefer a pressure washer for house washing solution because of the time and energy saving.
In this article, you’ll learn about the best vinyl siding cleaner for pressure washer and much more. Even if you do not have a powerful pressure washer, there are some great items on my list for you.
Also, I will be going in depth about mold vs mildew vs algae. Plus, mold killing chemicals vs washers. Never thought like this, did you?
I often see people complaining about the unexpected result from their pressure washer. Mostly, this is only because of the poor selection of house washing solution. They either ended up buying the wrong exterior cleaning products or used a wrong concentrate.
As you’re here reading this, I assume you know a lot about these or you’ve faced this situation and looking for a solution.
Whether you’re just planning for a house wash or searching for the best product to clean vinyl siding, I’ve got you covered!
I suggest you read the in-depth article but here’s a quick list of best cleaners for vinyl siding.
[amazon table=”1515″]Mold vs Mildew vs Algae Definition
If you see green on your siding, count it as algae for sure. Algae is an organism that requires photosynthesis process to produce food, which is the main phenomenon for plants. This process turns them green.
Algae require direct sunlight to live on. They are dependent on direct sunlight for producing their own food. This organism reproduces naturally.
Now, on the other hand, if you find something that is in black color, those are surely mold or mildew. Mold or mildew does not require direct sunlight or any sunlight at all. They can survive in complete darkness.
Mold or mildew do not produce their food by photosynthesis. This is the reason they are not green. They depend on other organisms for food and falls in the fungus group.
This black organism reproduces through spores and has tons of those. For this reason, they come back over and over.
The Importance of an Appropriate Vinyl Siding Washer:
Vinyl siding is a material that requires very low maintenance. However, you need to clean it at least once a year.
Using only water or any detergent to wash your siding is never going to get you a good result. A pressure washer will definitely give a better point in cleaning. On top of that, you need a vinyl siding cleaner that fits with your pressure washer and does the cleaning with ease.
Hard, stubborn mildew or algae is tough to remove with only pressure washing. A chemical solution is necessary.
Having said that, health issues are also a concern. I am not going to argue about the breathing hazard with mildew.
Mold is also known to attract bugs to your house. Bugs, like gnats, are extremely hazardous for your kids. In addition to that, gnat’s infestation is like a nightmare as they breed very quickly.
Furthermore, if you do not want rotting or black permanent spot on your white siding, you need to act fast. Otherwise, you might end up replacing the siding with a heavy loss of money.
All these issues can be avoided only by washing your siding once or twice per year. Using a pressure washer and a good vinyl siding cleaner will make that job a lot easier.
6 Best Vinyl Siding Cleaners Reviewed
These are the most effective solution for the best house wash.
1. 30 Seconds Outdoor Cleaner
This item is tried, tested and a winner! It does really work in 30 seconds. Starts working very fast and removes stains from mold, mildew or algae instantly.
Although you might smell bleach during and after the use, there are no reported casualties ever. Ever since I used this product, no flower or plants are damaged. This is a safe product for your landscape too.
All you need to do is spray it on using a sprayer and leave it for some time. You can come back in a short time and rinse it off. Repeat the process for a further amazing result.
If you do not have a pressure washer then this is the one you need. In addition to that, 1 gallon of ready to use cleaner can clean up to 400 square feet area easily. Just spray and rinse.
PROS
- Does not require pressure washing
- Spray and rinse
- Safe for your yard or landscape
- Cleans very fast[/su_list][/su_box]
CONS
- Does not work good on concrete
- Hash smell if used indoors
- Can cause wear if left after spray for a long time[/su_list][/su_box][/su_column][/su_row]
2. RMR 86 Mold Remover
Once again, if you do not want to use a pressure washer or scrub for hours, this is a great choice. To be honest, most of the time a pressure washer alone cannot remove black molds completely.
This RMR 86 mold remover was designed by disaster management people over time. A formula that was later researched to work in exact effect in spray form.
One gallon of this chemical can clean up to 400 square feet area. In addition, this works evenly on many surface types, siding, wood, concrete and many more! This can be used in many ways but works more effectively with a pressure washer.
They claim to block the growth or rebirth of mildew which is partially true in the sense that, who waits for their come back? But for 4 months I have found the worked area did not get mold again.
This is a bleach-based very strong chemical product. So, you need to have PPE while working with it. In addition, keep enough airflow ways in the sprayed area.
PROS
- No need for pressure washer
- Great for black mold
- Can be used on a variety of surfaces
- Very strong chemical[/su_list][/su_box]
CONS
- Can damage plants if sprayed directly
- Damage furniture if left standing for a long time
- Strong chemical requires PPE[/su_list][/su_box][/su_column][/su_row]
3. Mold Armor Siding & House Wash
Mold armor has some great range of house cleaning products. Their one product is great for siding which does not require a pressure washer. To be honest, you cannot use that product with a pressure washer.
This is why they created this specific formula that works wonders with a pressure washer. Whenever you see a concentrated formula be sure that requires dilution or is for pressure washer.
The proper concentration is 3 gallons of water to 1 gallon of this chemical. Please check the instruction on the label for exact mixing proportion.
All you need to do is mix this in proper concentration or pour it in your pressure washer detergent tank and spray. Leave it for 10 minutes and wash with low-pressure clean water. You can see a clean siding right away!
Also, you can mix it in a bucket and spray with your washer.
This is a bleach based product. You need to be careful not to ruin your clothes and hands with it. Furthermore, you need to rinse off this product properly.
PROS
- Designed for pressure washer
- Removes mold or mildew in a very short time
- Concentrated[/su_list][/su_box]
CONS
- Very bad for your windows may leave stain
- Has strong bleach smell[/su_list][/su_box][/su_column][/su_row]
4. Simple Green Oxy Solve
This product from simple green is another chemical formula that is concentrated specifically for pressure washer. With a safe, orally non-toxic formula it works great on black mold.
It is equally effective on grimes, dirt, mold, mildew or algae. In addition, this works great on a variety of surface like the deck, fence, siding, concrete, etc.
This can also be used for other household cleaning jobs. All you need to do is mix a proper concentration and pour it in the detergent tank and spray using the pressure washer. Let sit for 10/15 minutes and rinse with soft spray clean water.
As this is biodegradable, it does not threaten plants. Do this and increase the appearance of your house twice!
PROS
- Better than bleach
- Safe for plants or landscape
- Works on different surfaces[/su_list][/su_box]
CONS
- Might need two or more wash for old stains
- Can be less effective if not mixed properly[/su_list][/su_box][/su_column][/su_row]
5. Krud Cutter Exterior Siding Cleaner
My friend who does pressure washing for a living claims it to be the best cleaner for vinyl siding. Well, let him stick to his thought. I would say, he is right.
This one has sporex in it, which blocks the mold or algae from coming back again! Special surfactants penetrate the surface to dissolve the toughest stains of mold or algae from the siding.
There is no petroleum solvent in it. A 1:10 concentrated mixture with water can produce 11 gallons of a mixture with a bottle. One bottle can clean up to 2000 square feet of area.
You can use this in a spray bottle too but you need to pressure wash later.
PROS
- Removes black mold
- Contains sporex to block regeneration of mold
- Harmless to plants or pet[/su_list][/su_box]
CONS
- Works well only with pressure washer
- Odor problem if used indoors[/su_list][/su_box][/su_column][/su_row]
6. Star Brite Mold and Mildew Remover
This star brite product easily removes mold, mildew or algae easily without any scrubbing. Good news for someone who does not like pressure washing.
Designed for marine/outdoor material, it has buffered-bleach technology. This technology claims to be harmless for stitching or threads.
Very professional grade product makes it a strong chemical but does not harm your landscape. Use it anywhere, even in the bathroom. It works fine.
This is an eye irritant product and PPE is highly recommended. You can always pressure wash after applying this product. Pressure washing will make the surface cleaner. Perhaps, things, where you cannot pressure wash, like boat seat cover, is a great area for using this product.
PROS
- Solid product for the marine environment
- Can be used with a spray bottle
- Very strong stain remover[/su_list][/su_box]
CONS
- Can damage cloths as this is a very strong chemical
- A bit expensive[/su_list][/su_box][/su_column][/su_row]
Best cleaner for vinyl siding Buying Guide
There is a bucket full of reasons that people are buying a cleaning solution. It might look like a piece of cake while selecting a vinyl siding cleaner. But, there are certain considerations that you must go through before picking any random cleaner.
Size of your house
The amount of cleaner you are going to buy depends on the size of your house. In addition, if you are planning to clean only one side of your house, you should consider buying the exact required amount of cleaner.
I suggest not to buy more than you need as storing these chemical cleaner for the next season is not a good idea.
House Surroundings
If you own a house with siding, I can assure you’re a pant lover. This is very important to consider your house surroundings including brick or concrete walls as well as plants, landscape, flowers or pets.
You need to select a vinyl siding cleaner that is not harmful to your surroundings. There’s no point on killing your garden while cleaning mold! Read the label first.
Type of Stain
First, you need to assess the type of stain you have on your siding or whatever. This might be mold, mildew, algae or only dust. As I said earlier green or black color differentiates what it is.
There is a specific type of cleaner for each type of stains. So, read the label first. One last thing to consider is workability with a pressure washer. Sometimes you need to wait for a week to see the mold is cleaned. Who waits that long?
How to Apply Vinyl Siding Cleaner?
I am not going to discuss in details here as I have covered this with a huge article about how to pressure wash your house siding.
Yet, things are simple.
Hope you enjoyed this article on best vinyl siding cleaner reviews and already selected one. I cannot stress more about the importance of the best exterior house cleaning solution. Find out the problem and make a solution.
It’s your call.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the easiest way to clean vinyl siding?
The easiest way to clean vinyl siding is to use one of the most traditional cleaning methods, and that is soap and water. As well as using soap and water, you could also choose to use vinegar and water as this is another good way to clean your vinyl siding.
Alternatively, there is a wide range of commercial vinyl siding cleaners available which will also do a great job.
All of these cleaning solutions work in a very similar way, requiring you to apply the cleaning solution directly to the vinyl siding, and then scrub the solution with a microfiber cloth or bristle brush.
Once you have scrubbed the vinyl, you should then wash the solution off with water.
After that has been washed away, you should see that your vinyl siding looks as good as new. If it looks like it could still do with a clean you should simply repeat this process.
Is it ok to power wash vinyl siding?
You should avoid power washing your vinyl siding unless you have lots of experience with a power washer. If you do not use the power washer correctly then you can cause significant damage to the vinyl siding which is why people recommend that you don’t use a power washer on this type of vinyl.
Vinyl siding is tough, but it is not as tough as some other types of materials which you often use a power washer on, which is why it is often prone to damage when not washed in the correct manner.
So while it is okay to use a power washer on your vinyl siding, you must be careful when doing so to ensure that no unnecessary damage occurs to your vinyl siding.
How do you clean vinyl siding without a pressure washer?
If you do not want to risk using a pressure washer on your vinyl siding, you can instead clean the vinyl siding by hand. To do this we would recommend using a combination of either soap and water or vinegar and water at a 70% water, 30% soap/vinegar solution.
Alternatively, you can use a commercial vinyl siding cleaner to do this job. Both commercial cleaners and home remedies, such as vinegar or soap and water, then require you to apply the solution directly to the vinyl before scrubbing it with a cloth or soft brush.
You should scrub lightly but consistently to avoid any damage occurring to the vinyl siding. As we have said, power washing can cause damage to your siding due to the great force of the water, so it is important to bear this in mind when you are scrubbing your vinyl siding.
How do you make vinyl siding look new?
The best way to get your vinyl siding looking like new is to give it a good clean. But for better results, you could choose to rinse the vinyl siding with water before you begin to use your cleaning solution on the material.
There is no need to do this if you regularly clean your vinyl siding, but if you do not, pre-rinsing it can remove loose dirt and dust before you start cleaning.
Once you have done this you should then spray your cleaning solution directly onto the vinyl siding and scrub it lightly but persistently with a soft scrubbing brush or cloth.
After you have scrubbed the fluid off, you should then rinse it with water. If you want to get better results, you should repeat this process a few times to get your vinyl siding looking like new.
Is bleach harmful to vinyl siding?
Bleach is a very strong substance, so there is always the risk that using bleach on your vinyl siding could cause damage or harm. However, if the bleach is diluted correctly then using this on your vinyl siding will not cause any damage.
To dilute the bleach correctly you should follow the manufacturer’s instructions as it will differ from company to company. As well as ensuring you dilute it correctly, it is also very important that you thoroughly rinse the surface of the vinyl siding after using a bleach solution to clean it.
If any bleach is left on the surface this could potentially cause damage to your siding, so it is vitally important that you deeply rinse the surface of the siding after cleaning it with bleach.
How do you get green algae off vinyl siding?
The best way to keep green algae off of your vinyl siding is to regularly clean the surface of it with a soap and water solution. However, if the siding has a large amount of green algae on it, you might instead choose to clean it with a bleach solution.
As long as the bleach is properly diluted, and you rinse the siding thoroughly after using bleach on it, then no damage will occur to your siding.
Bleach is guaranteed to kill any algae on the surface of your siding, leaving it looking like new.
As well as removing green algae, if you regularly clean the siding with either a bleach solution or soap and water, it will help extend the life of your vinyl siding and ensure that it will last longer without needing replacing.
So the best way to get green algae off of your vinyl siding is to scrub it with either bleach or a soap and water solution.
Does wet and forget work on vinyl siding?
Yes, wet and forget does work on vinyl siding. This formula is bleach-free but can remove stains and algae from your vinyl siding just as successfully as if you were using a bleach solution.
As well as being safe for use on vinyl siding, wet and forget is also safe for use on most garden surfaces as it does not harm any plants that are nearby. It will only target dirt, stains, and algae.
A lot of people choose to use wet and forget on their vinyl siding as it removes the need for scrubbing at the marks on your siding.
Instead, all you need to do is spray this solution onto the siding, and any moss, algae, mold, mildew, or lichen will be killed. Leaving your vinyl siding looking as good as new, every time that you use this product.
