Do you need to clean your deck that backs up to your vinyl siding? Are you worried about the deck cleaner damaging your vinyl siding?
Most deck cleaners will not damage vinyl siding, but it is important to stay away from chemicals like undiluted chlorine bleach or liquid grease remover. Scrubber like steel wool may be fine for a deck, but they can also cause damage to the vinyl siding.
There are plenty of deck cleaner solutions that work well for both your deck and vinyl siding, making it easy to clean both at the same time. You can also use a pressure washer for more effective cleaning. This article explores what cleaners are most safe, which ones you should avoid, and how to protect and clean vinyl siding at the same time.
Choosing a Deck Cleaner that Does Not Damage Vinyl Siding
Instead of worrying about which deck cleaners you should avoid, the easiest way to proceed with cleaning is by choosing a deck cleaner proven safe and effective on both surfaces. The most popular examples of these include:
- Water and vinegar mix
- Soap solutions
- Oxygen bleach
- Some general household cleaners
Using a proven safe cleaner gives you more peace of mind, and you can even clean your vinyl siding at the same time.
Water and Vinegar Mix
Mixing water and vinegar is popular for cleaning across the board, and it is often considered one of the safest solutions out there. While vinegar can be corrosive, it doesn’t damage most surfaces–including your deck or vinyl siding.
For these areas, make a mixture that is about 70 percent water and 30 percent white vinegar. This is an all-purpose option, and you can use it for spot cleaning or the entire surface. Your water and vinegar mix works best on light mold and mildew stains.
Soap Solution
Soap solutions work better on deeper stains and heavier soiled areas. The most common soap add-ins for one gallon of water include:
- ⅓ cup powdered laundry detergent
- ⅔ cup powdered household cleaner
- ¼ gallon liquid laundry bleach
It is best to start with one product at a time to test the efficacy of the soap solution. Laundry detergent and household cleaner work best for dirt, while bleach will help chip away at mold and mildew stains.
Oxygen Bleach
Oxygen bleach, such as OxiClean, uses less harsh ingredients like sodium percarbonate that are easier on the environment. This breaks down into hydrogen peroxide and soda ash, both of which decompose after activation.
The reaction of oxygen bleach against mess on your deck or vinyl siding causes bubbles to form that will pull out algae and mold.
This is a gentler alternative to bleach solutions.
General Household Cleaners
There are plenty of general household cleaners that can be effective against stains and messes on your deck or siding. Because these are not the most economical for large-scale use, look for specialty cleaners to target different messes, such as:
- Soil
- Grass
- Grease
- Rust
- Crayon
- Ink
- Gum
- Rust
Make sure you spot test any of these cleaners before trusting them on your deck or vinyl siding.
Deck Cleaners to Avoid
Deck cleaners you should avoid to protect your vinyl siding include:
- Organic solvents
- Undiluted chlorine bleach
- Liquid grease remove
- Acetone
- Polish or cleaners
Make sure you take care when using abrasive scrubbers to prevent them from tearing up the siding.
You can use these cleaners as needed, but it is essential to take the steps necessary to protect your siding from potential harm.
Protecting Vinyl Siding from Deck Cleaner
The easiest way to protect vinyl siding from deck cleaners or other deck sprays uses painter’s tape to protect the surface.
If your deck sits above your siding, try your best to protect the area underneath as well. This saves the vinyl siding from run off damage. This may not be a problem if you are sure you will never remove the deck and expose that area of the siding.
You can also use a plastic drop clock to protect the area from potential damage. This is the better option if you are working on a large area because it prevents you from taping up the entire surface with painter’s tape.
Will Pressure Washing Damage Vinyl Siding?
Pressure washing should not damage vinyl siding, but there are a few things to consider. Whether you want to prevent potential damage from a misguided stream or to wash your siding at the same time, check these details first.
If you can, contact the manufacturer or refer to any details regarding your vinyl siding to learn whether this is advised against. Some prohibit pressure washing and list it as a void of warranty, while others will tell you how to limit the pressure for safe cleaning.
If you are using the pressure washer on your vinyl siding, make sure the stream is at eye level. You should point it straight at the siding, avoiding an upward angle that would shoot water behind the siding.
A larger concern would be how an errant pressure stream would affect openings like windows, doors, and plumbing connections. Pay attention so you do not disturb these areas.
Cleaning Vinyl Siding at the Same Time
Most people choose to clean their vinyl siding at the same time as cleaning their deck. This prevents the mismatched look that occurs when the bottom of the siding is inevitably cleaned by some of the deck cleaner.
In this situation, work from the top down. This can limit the amount of chemicals you use, and it saves you from having to rinse the deck a second time to remove any vinyl siding cleaners.
Final Thoughts
Most deck cleaners will not damage vinyl siding, but you need to take care to make sure you avoid specific chemicals. It is also important to spot test any cleaner on your vinyl siding or decking before using it on either surface.
The easiest way to keep your deck and vinyl siding looking clean is by using the same cleaner on both. Start with the siding and work your way down to the deck, and soon you will have your home space looking brand new.
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