Care and Cleaning of Vinyl Siding and Soffitt

Over time, your homes vinyl siding and soffitt will have dirt exposure from atmospheric conditions. Ordinarily, the cleaning action of rainfall will be adequate to wash the vinyl siding. However, vinyl siding and soffitt should be washed periodically with a garden hose and clean water, particularly in those areas not exposed to normal rainfall. If you desire to do a more thorough cleaning, or where high soil collection conditions occur, follow these simple instructions.

Use a soft-bristled, long-handled washing brush. These washing brushes attach to your garden hose and make washing your siding easier. Do not rub vigorously, as this may create glossy areas over the vinyl siding finish.

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For hard to remove dirt, such as soot and grime found in industrial areas, wipe the siding down with a solution consisting of the following ingredients:

o 1/3 cup powdered detergent (Tide, Fab, or an equivalent powder detergent)

o 2/3 cup household cleaner (Soilax, Spic & Span or a comparable equivalent)

o 1 gallon water

If mildew is a problem in your area, prepare the solution above but substitute 1 quart of laundry bleach for 1 quart of water.

If you wash down the entire house, start at the bottom and work up to the top, as less streaking will result.

It is important that immediately following all washing operations, the entire surface be thoroughly rinsed with fresh water from a garden hose. Avoid prolonged or high pressure rinsing of open, ventilated areas.

For best results when using cleaning solution, select an overcast cool day (55° - 75°) and wash only small areas at a time. This should allow the wet cleaning solution to remain in contact with the finish for a period of not less than 3 minutes; then rinse with clear water before it has a chance to dry.

Caution: Greater concentrations may cause damage to the vinyl siding finish. Do not use cleaners containing abrasive particles, solvent, or ammoniated-type cleaners or paint remover for cleaning the vinyl siding. When using any of the above chemical cleaning agents, observe the chemical manufacturer's recommended safety precautions. Protect against contact of the solution with skin or eyes.

Care and Cleaning of Vinyl Siding and Soffitt

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