Black Friday Black Friday
Sign Up
Shop by Room
Fill Your Home with Laughter. Shop here for all your holiday needs. Follow Us.
Fill Your Home with Laughter. Build a Super Elf-tacular Christmas Tree! Follow Us.
HOW-TO LIBRARY Thousands of Helpful How-Tos. Countless Ideas.
 
Cleaning siding with a pressure washer.
Cleaning siding is much easier with a pressure washer.

Pressure Washing Vinyl Siding

Skill Level: Intermediate
 
 

Is your home's exterior looking a little run-down? With a wood-sided house you can always repaint, but what do you do with vinyl siding? You wash it. But, do not dismay—there is no need to scrub the entire house with a brush. Clean up the quick way, with a pressure washer. An average-sized home can be cleaned in a weekend with a 2200 psi or higher pressure washer. Lowe's is happy to provide this information as a service to you.

Espanol
E-mail
Printable Version
Add to my Projects
 
Article Content
Tools & Materials
Click a text link below to shop for that item.
Click the information icon for a product buying guide.

Tools

Materials

  • Plastic sheeting
  • Dropcloths
  • Bleach
  • Vinyl siding cleaner
Back to Top
Preparation
Important! Do not use a pressure washer while standing on a ladder. Use scaffolding or an extension wand to reach high areas. Always use both hands to hold the wand while in operation.
  1. Turn off the power to all exterior lights and receptacles and test them to ensure that the power is indeed off. Cover all exterior lights and receptacles with plastic and secure it in place. When you are washing the house, always try to spray away from outlets and lights.


  2. Cover all plants with plastic sheeting or dropcloths to protect them. Use clear plastic, not black. Remove it as quickly as possible after cleaning, otherwise heat buildup under the plastic may damage your plants.


  3. Ensure that all windows are closed. If you have removable screens, remove them. Always try to spray away from the J-channel around windows and doors, to avoid damaging or loosening the J-channel.


  4. Repair any loose siding panels.
Important! Use only cleaning solutions recommended by the pressure washer manufacturer. Some household cleaners may damage your pressure washer.
Back to Top
Clean the Siding
  1. SAFETY NOTE:
    Safety must be your main concern when using a machine combining pressurized hot water, detergents or other chemicals, and electricity or gasoline. Follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully to avoid accidents.

    Walk around your home and look for areas that may be covered with mildew. Mildew usually appears as black, gray or brown spots, most often in damp areas or areas that receive little or no direct sunlight. Clean any mildew with a brush and a solution of one part bleach to three parts water. Wear rubber gloves and goggles while using the cleaning solution.


  2. Mix your pressure washing agent according to the manufacturer's instructions and submerge the detergent injector hose in the solution.

  3. Black, white and green nozzles.
    The low pressure nozzle (black) is used to apply cleaning chemicals. Either the 25° (green) or the 40° (white) nozzle should be used for rinsing.
    Install the low-pressure nozzle in the spray gun.


  4. Connect a garden hose to the pressure washer. Turn on the water to the hose and crank the pressure washer.


  5. Starting at the bottom and going up, spray a 10' by 10' section of the wall.


  6. Allow the solution to stay on the wall for three to five minutes so it can eat away any stains or grime on the wall. To avoid streaking, do not allow the detergent to dry on the wall.


  7. Switch to a high-pressure nozzle, with at least a 25° spray angle. Thoroughly rinse the wall from top to bottom.


  8. Continue cleaning the house in 10' by 10' sections.

Shop for pressure washers.

Back to Top
Interactive Design Tools
Design Tools
Installation Services
Lowe's Installation Guaranteed
If you are not satisfied with the service we provide, we will make it right. Guaranteed.
Tell Us Your Thoughts
Click the button below to sign up for valuable offers and free, COOL informative newsletters for all do-it-yourselfers.
Sign Up for Offers

Was this information helpful? Please let us know your do-it-yourself experiences. We'd love to hear from you!

These How-To's are provided as a service from Lowe's, the Original Home Improvement Warehouse of How-To information for the World Wide Web. The information in Lowe's "How-To" clinics is intended to simplify jobs around the house. Tools, products, materials, techniques, building codes and local regulations change; therefore, Lowe's assumes no liability for omissions, errors or the outcome of any project. The reader must always exercise reasonable caution, follow current codes and regulations that may apply, and is urged to consult with a licensed professional if in doubt about any procedures. Please read our terms of use.