How to Clean Mold off of Vinyl Siding

Vinyl sidings are exterior products and that’s why they can collect dirt, filth, grime, and stains from all kinds of stuff like pollen, animals and bug droppings, spider webs, and rust. If you are going through the same, you should check this multi-method guide on how to clean mold off vinyl sidings with ease and guaranteed results.

How to Clean Mold off Vinyl Siding

Over time, dirt, debris, and tree sap can build up on your vinyl siding. This layer serves as a food supply for mold and algae. You’ll notice green, brown, and black blotches forming outside your house at this point.

Some portions of your home’s exterior are more prone to mold and algae than others. Molds and mildews can form on sections of vinyl siding that aren’t exposed to sunshine, as well as regions of your home near trees and plants.

Excess moisture is a primary reason why molds and algae grow on vinyl siding. Moisture can arrive from a variety of places, so keep an eye out. Overflowing gutters could be bringing water in. 

A broken water line could also be letting in extra moisture. It’s essential to address these problems before attempting to remove algae from vinyl siding.

Gutters should be repaired and cleaned to ensure that they are unclogged and functioning correctly. Similarly, look for and replace any broken pipes or drains near your external walls.

If your sprinklers are close to your house, you may need to regulate or turn them down.

Finally, to allow more sunlight to reach your vinyl siding, prune back tree limbs and plants.

Method #1: Apply Bleach or Vinegar

With the use of bleach, though, you can get away with less cleaning. If you use one pint of bleach with 5 gallons of water, you will not have to clean the vinyl sidings for 9-12 months.

This strategy would be beneficial for homeowners who want to keep algae from growing in their homes for the longest time possible.

Various cleaning treatments available in most hardware stores may help homeowners maintain their vinyl siding clean and clear of algae.

However, having the house professionally power cleaned is one of the quickest and most cost-effective methods.

There are a wide variety of bleaches and alternatives available at the drug store. Thus, it’s best to seek expert advice before picking the right one to clean your vinyl sidings.

Method #2: Apply Hydrogen Peroxide to Beat the Molds

Hydrogen peroxide, also known as H2O2, is a blue-colored compound with beneficial properties. It exhibits antifungal, antiviral, and antibacterial properties, which makes it the best agent for disinfection and cleaning. 

The chemical is very potent. However, experts claim it to be safe enough to use over countertops, tubs, and other regular surfaces, including the vinyl sidings.

1. Fill a spray container with hydrogen peroxide at a concentration of 3% by mass. 
2. To avoid discoloration or damage, test an inconspicuous section of surfaces first. Soak the moldy surface in water for 10 minutes. 
3. Rub the area vigorously to get rid of tough mold marks and black molds. 
4. When done with the procedure, wipe the surface with a clean and dry cloth.

Method #3: Mix Vinegar and Water 

White vinegar is a gently acidic cleaning, deodorizing, and disinfecting agent. It works well with both porous and non-porous surfaces and obliterates most of the contaminants from the surface.

Speaking of vinyl siding, it is proven that vinegar alone can remove 82 percent of fungal species breeding on its surface.

1. Fill a spray bottle with undiluted white vinegar. Because white vinegar contains just around 20% acetic acid, diluting it with water reduces its effectiveness.
2. Sprinkle the vinegar mix on the fungi and let the solution do its magic. Allow the mixture to sit for 50-60 minutes. 
3. At last, wash the surface with clean tap water and let the surface dry. Don’t worry much about the pungent smell. It will go away with time.

Method #4: Apply Baking Soda to Remove Fungi

Baking Soda serves a lot of purposes revolving around daily household needs. It not acts as a smell absorbent but also helps in curing heartburns.

Not only that, it is one of the best fungicides that help in removing molds and mildew with ease. It’s safe for you, your family, and your pets because it not only destroys black mold but also absorbs the moisture that attracts it.

1. Combine a tbsp of baking soda along with a quarter of water in an atomizer and shake well.
2. Scrub the molds away with a firm scrubbing brush, use the concoction of baking soda and water for excellent results.
3. Wash the surface thoroughly, make sure that the cleaning solution is obliterated.
4. Finally, re-spray the area and allow it to dry without wiping. This will eliminate any remaining mold and help prevent it from coming back.

OR

1. Take two tbsp of baking soda, one tbsp of white vinegar, and one cup of water to wipe off the tenacious black mold. 
2. Stir the ingredients together until they form a thick paste. 
3. Allow the mixture to dry once you’ve applied it liberally to the surface.
4. Remove the black mold and stains with a scrubber and a wet cloth.

Method #5: Apply Essential Oils 

Aromatherapy has become a popular word thanks to essential oils, but these natural compounds can do more. Tea tree oil is a natural fungicide that destroys spores and prevents them from returning.

This essential oil is slightly potent, and hence, it is advised not to use more than a few drops of it.

1. In a spray container, take one cup of water along with one tsp of tea tree oil and shake the colloidal very well. 
2. Spray the moldy area, wait an hour to dry, then wipe it clean with a microfiber cloth or a dry towel.
3. Wearing protective gloves is recommended because essential oils can irritate some people’s skin.

Method #6: Use Lemons

Lemons are one of the potent natural cleaners (along with tea tree oils) that offer a lot of medicinal benefits.

Lemon juice is an excellent bleaching, stain remover, and an excellent fungicide. Lemon’s strong acid content breaks down molds, making it easier to remove and leaving a clean surface behind with a beautiful citrus scent!

1. In a cup, squeeze three to five lemons and pour the juice over the moldy area.
2. Allow it to sit for five minutes before wiping it down with a moist cloth. 
3. To remove stubborn mold stains, reapply and scrape the surface.

Apart from lemon and essential oils, many natural solutions are also efficient against mildew, making them fantastic non-toxic alternatives to chemical-based black mold removers. They’re safe for your family and the environment, and they’re often less expensive than store-bought brands.

Method #7: Pressure Wash

Pressure washing is another efficient and time saving method to remove algae or molds off the vinyl siding. Here is a detailed video on how to remove them using pressure wash technique.

Step 1: Soak the plants in the area and saturate the soil. This will assist prevent the plants from absorbing the cleaning detergent’s toxins.

Step 2: Begin by scrubbing the afflicted area with a mild detergent. Do not use any cleaning solution that claims to be all-purpose.

These products will not perform as well, and mold and mildew will reappear within a short period following treatment.

For your pressure washer, get a mold and mildew concentrate. To dilute the concentrate solution, combine it with the required amount of water. Then pour it into the detergent tank of your power washer.

Step 3: Next, choose a black nozzle, which is a low-pressure cleaning nozzle suitable for light cleaning. This detergent nozzle might be pink at times. Never use a nozzle that is red in color. Use your pressure washer to attach the nozzle.

Step 4: Begin spraying the surface horizontally with back and forth strokes, starting at the bottom and working your way up. 

Also, begin by standing approximately a foot away from the surface and increase your distance as needed. Be wary of the pressure washer’s potential for recoil. For better support, hold the wand in both hands. Work in small pieces with your spray.

Step 5: If you’re cleaning the siding on a two-story house, use a pressure washer extension wand. Pressure washing from a ladder is not suggested because it is easy to lose balance and fall due to the force emitted by the washer. Purchase an extension wand. It’ll be helpful for those difficult-to-reach high areas.

Step 6: Let the detergent sit and do its work. It is best to leave the surface unaltered for 5-10 minutes. Make sure the surface doesn’t dry out, or else watermarks can appear.

Step 7: Change to a white-colored nozzle, producing a broader water fan and slightly more water pressure than the black-colored one. When rinsing, you’ll want to be cautious about which nozzle you use. 

It is best to go for patch testing before using a high-pressure wash. If the surface can handle white nozzle pressure wash, you can upgrade to the yellow one slightly higher in pressure than the white one. Dirt, mildew, and paint can all be removed with yellow nozzles.

Step 8:  In the final step, wash the entire surface with the help of detergent. It is best to move sideways rather than going from top to bottom.

Here is a detailed video on how to remove molds from vinyl siding.

Conclusion

Vinyl siding is a cost-effective and stylish way to protect a property indefinitely. With a bit of work, you can keep this long-lasting and effective material looking excellent long after it’s been installed.

As per a study, vinyl sidings are one of the most eco-friendly choices for sidings. In comparison to Cedar Board, Vinyl casts least to no impact on ozone and is non-carcinogenic. With the progressing and developing societies, the world is going for sustainable choices, and vinyl siding is definitely a part of it.