How to maintain the beauty of your vinyl siding.

Vinyl siding is the most common exterior home cladding material in the United States, and with good reason. It is beautiful, versatile and affordable. It is also energy-efficient. How do you maintain this product? It needs to be maintained periodically, just like any other type of siding.

Vinyl siding can accumulate pollen and bird droppings over time, as well as mold and mildew. This is especially true in areas that are shaded. Vinyl siding is easy to maintain, especially when you do it regularly.

Keep your house looking new with these five tips for maintaining vinyl siding.

Start by going to the bottom.

Cleaning vinyl siding is the first step in maintaining vinyl siding. Start cleaning vinyl siding from the bottom and work up using a microfiber cloth or a soft bristle long-handled brush. This will prevent any streaking during the cleaning process.

Keep your garden hose handy to remove dirt and suds as you go. Use the spray garden hose to remove dirt and suds as you work your way up. A long extension wand can be used to reach high places. Be sure to avoid using abrasive cleaners like steel wool and hard bristles, which can damage the vinyl surface.

Cleanse with the right cleaning solution.

A mixture of 30% white vinegar and 70% water is one of the easiest and safest cleaning solutions for vinyl. This method is particularly effective at removing mildew and mold. Use a mixture made of 1 gallon of water and 1 cup of oxygen-bleach (not chlorine-bleach) if you are worried about damaging any landscaping around your siding. Consider using household cleaners like Murphy’s Oil Soap or Windex to remove tough stains, such as rust, grass, and grease.

Use a pressure wash with extreme caution.

It would help if you took special care to ensure that the water doesn’t get behind your vinyl siding. Set the washer to a low-moderate setting, and make sure you spray perpendicularly to the siding. Do not spray from an angle that could cause the water to get behind the siding. Ask your siding manufacturer if they advise against pressure washing.

Use caution when pressure washing around old exterior doors and window frames where the cleaning solution could leak into your home.

Protect your vinyl siding against mishaps.

Vinyl is unlikely to ignite, but it will melt if it comes in contact with heat. Keep away any fire bowls, machines, or barbecue grills from vinyl-clad walls.

Insecticides and weedicides can discolor vinyl siding. Cover your vinyl siding when you use these solutions with a plastic sheet. Use extra caution with sealants and stains for home improvement projects.

Consider twice before you paint vinyl siding.

Vinyl siding does not require painting! The color should be permanent. It will last for years with regular cleanings — this is why it’s so popular.

You can still paint vinyl siding if your style is reflected in another color scheme. You should paint a feature area, such as an entryway or accent wall. It would help if you were careful when painting your siding, as it could invalidate the warranty. Many premium siding manufacturers offer a limited lifetime warranty that is transferable to a new owner. This is a great selling point for those who are moving and something to think about when searching for a home. Ask the seller if vinyl siding comes with a transferable warranty.