How to Wash Your Aluminum or Vinyl Siding: Restore Your Home's Beauty!

While it's not something you'll want to do too frequently (it's a fairly big job!), there are times when you will need to bite the bullet and wash your house.

Over time, vinyl and aluminum siding develops mildew, oxidation or other soiling, which detracts considerably from the original crispness and freshness of new siding. Aluminum siding becomes "dull"; vinyl siding shows mildew spots...both get soiled from the elements.

You can restore some of the original beauty without actually breaking your back! And, depending on the size and style of your house, you might even be able to do it without climbing a ladder (ranch style houses, anyway).

The process is actually quite simple, though it takes a bit of "muscle"...so prepare yourself for several hours of fairly strenuous work. Plan to rest whenever you need to; carry or have close-at-hand plenty of cold water; work in shade whenever possible; take your time; move smoothly and methodically; and, most of all...don't let the job overwhelm you! In fact, you might want to consider scheduling such a job over a two day period to make the whole experience comfortable and more rewarding.

Follow these steps:
1. Procure a box (or carton) of TSP powder (Trisodium Phospate) at your local hardware store or home center.
2. Procure a telescoping brush kit (also available at most home centers). You might want to consider the kind that attaches to your garden hose for this type of cleaning, although it isn't entirely necessary.
3. Read and follow all manufacturers' labels and instructions for any precautions and/or personal protective equipment recommended.
4. Procure recommended personal protective equipment (gloves, goggles, etc.).
5. Read and follow manufacturer's label instructions for mixing the TSP powder with water (for cleaning), in a bucket large enough to accept your brush-head.
6. If your house is a ranch style, you might not need a ladder, depending on the lay of the land around the building. If it is not a ranch, you most likely will need a ladder. Be sure to follow all recommended ladder safety guidelines (see "notes" below for related link).
7. From the ground and/or ladder, hose a section of the house down to rinse off surface dust, pollen, etc.
8. Once an area is wet, dip your brush head in the TSP/water solution and brush the siding...starting as high as you can reach with the telescoping brush. Start by working an area about 20 feet wide and work the entire height of the siding for that width if you can. As you learn the process, you may choose to increase your working area; just try to avoid too large an area, as the cleaning solution may dry before rinsing, which can create streaks or may require repeat brushing.
9. Working from top to bottom, thoroughly brush the area you're working on, Use both horizontal (side-to-side) and vertical (up-and-down) motions, to ensure thoroughness.
10. Once you've brushed thoroughly, rinse with clean water.

Repeat this process for the entire house.

NOTES:
-Always read and follow label instructions for safe handling and working with chemical products.
-If in doubt about a product's 'exposure' safety, request an MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) from the supplier.
-Always practice safe ladder-use. See http://www.osha.gov/Publications/portable_ladder_qc.html for portable ladder safety guidelines.