Pressure washers are great for cleaning siding, but they’re also loud, require water as well as gas or electric power to operate, and can be difficult to maneuver around the various peaks and valleys of your house. If you don’t have access to a pressure washer or simply want to try something different, you have other options. You can clean your siding with a different tool instead of using a pressure washer. There are several ways to clean the side of your home without a pressure washer.
How To Clean Siding Without Pressure Washer
1. Soap and Water
This is the most basic way to clean siding without a pressure washer, but it will require a lot of elbow grease. All you need is some soap, water, and a stiff brush. You can use either liquid or bar soap. If you want to make sure that the soap gets into cracks and crevices on your siding, you can also add a little vinegar to the mix. Mix the soap with water in a bucket and use a scrub brush to apply it to your siding. Let it sit for several minutes before scrubbing again with the brush. If there are stains or other marks on your siding that won’t come out with this method, try using an abrasive cleaner like Comet or Ajax instead of soap. These cleaners will remove dirt and stains more quickly than soap alone will.
2. Baking Soda and Vinegar
Baking soda is another abrasive cleaner that can be used in place of Comet or Ajax if you don’t have those on hand but would like something similar in texture and appearance. It has milder cleaning properties than Comet or Ajax do so it won’t harm your siding as much when you use it, but it will still remove dirt from cracks and crevices on your siding just as well as other abrasive cleaners do. Vinegar is another option for cleaning your siding without using a pressure washer if you want something acidic to mix with the baking soda.
3. Brillo Pads
Brillo pads have rough edges that can be used to scrub away dirt from your siding without damaging it too much. They’re not as abrasive as Comet or Ajax, but they’re also more compact than soap, water, and a brush so you can easily carry them around your home for quick cleanings whenever necessary. You can also use Brillo pads on other surfaces around your home such as countertops or shower tiles if you want to clean those at the same time you clean your siding. You can get Brillo pads in bulk at many discount stores or buy them individually at department stores such as Target or Walmart if you need to replace one that breaks while cleaning your home.
4. Vinegar and Baking Soda Paste
If you want something less abrasive than soap but still something acidic enough to remove stains from your siding without damaging it too much, try mixing baking soda with vinegar instead of just water. Then, apply the paste to your siding with a brush or scrubbing pad and let it sit for about ten minutes before scrubbing again with the brush or pad. You can also make a paste of soap and water if you want something less acidic but still something that will remove dirt from your siding without damaging it too much.
5. Vinegar and Soap Paste
If you’re looking for something more abrasive than baking soda and vinegar but not as abrasive as Comet or Ajax, try mixing vinegar with soap instead of water. This will give you an acidic cleaner that will remove dirt from your siding without damaging it too much while also giving you a slightly abrasive mixture that contains soap, which is better at removing stains than vinegar on its own would be. Then, just apply the paste to your siding using a scrub brush or scrubbing pad and let it sit for about ten minutes before scrubbing again with the brush or pad. This method is similar to the method in number four except that it uses soap instead of baking soda as well as vinegar instead of water.
Using A Chalk-Based Siding Cleaner
- Pour a small amount of the chalk-based siding cleaner into a bucket.
- Dip your soft-bristled scrub brush into the solution, making sure to cover every inch of the bristles with the cleaner.
- Scrub the siding using light pressure, using a circular motion on each section of the siding until it’s clean.
- Allow the cleaner to dry for at least two hours before applying paint or stain to your siding.
- Apply paint or stain after two hours have passed and you’re ready to move on with your project!
Hosing Down Your Siding with Water
1. Hose Down Your Siding with Water
The cheapest and most readily available option to clean your siding is also the most basic. You can simply hose down the side of your home with a garden hose and scrub it with a brush. This method will not get your siding as clean as other methods, but it will allow you to remove dirt, grime, and mildew from the surface of your siding.
2. Clean Your Siding by Using Vinegar and Salt
You can clean mildew off of siding by mixing white vinegar with salt and scrubbing it over all surfaces of your home, then wiping away any remaining residue with a sponge or rag. This solution works for mildew that is on flat areas of the siding as well as for spots on stucco walls or brick surfaces.
3. Use a Pressure Washer to Clean Your Siding
If you have a pressure washer, this is the easiest method for cleaning siding. You will need to first figure out how your pressure washer works, and then use it to clean your siding by following the instructions that come with the device. Learning how to use your pressure washer will take some time, but once you do, cleaning your siding will be easy.
4. Use a Ladder to Clean Your Siding
If you have a ladder, you can clean the siding on the outside of your home. To do this, you will need to use a long-handled scrub brush with stiff bristles to scrub the siding. Use a bucket and soap or detergent to clean your siding as well, then rinse it off with water. This method is somewhat time-consuming, but it can be effective in removing mildew from your siding.
5. Use Baking Soda or Vinegar and Water to Clean Your Siding
If you have mildew on the siding of your home, you can clean it using baking soda or vinegar and water. You should use a solution that is one-part vinegar or baking soda and two parts water. Scrub the mixture over the siding with a soft brush, then rinse it off with water.
6. Use Bleach to Clean Your Siding
If you have mildew on your siding, you can remove it by scrubbing the area with bleach and water. This solution is strong enough to kill mildew, but be sure to test it in an inconspicuous area first to make sure that it does not damage your siding. This method will also help to remove stains from your siding as well as mildew, making it a good choice for cleaning your home’s exterior.
Conclusion
Cleaning siding can seem like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. You can clean your siding without a pressure washer and a few different cleaning solutions. No matter which solution you choose, you’ll want to make sure you clean your siding regularly. This will keep it looking as good as new and prevent mildew from growing on it. So, when do you need to clean your siding? Any time it starts to look dirty or grimy. Cleaning your siding regularly will keep it in good shape for years to come.
