A Handy Guide For Cleaning The Outside Of Your Home

As the weather gets nicer and nicer, it’s time to start checking off some outside chores from the to-do list. One household task that is vitally important, yet often forgotten or pushed aside in favor of other tasks, is the washing of the exterior of your home. In today’s article, we’re going to go over some of the best practices for cleaning the outside of your home and the various types of siding that you may encounter. Since each type of material is unique, you will need to be cognizant of how you clean each surface type in order to get the best results possible without harming your home. So, read on to discover how you can get the outside of your home looking spotless!

Home Exteriors

Architects and builders will typically choose from the following materials for exterior siding:

• Brick
• Composite
• Fiber Cement
• Metal
• Stucco
• Vinyl
• Wood

Architects may select siding that fits with their overall designs. Builders often choose siding that is easy to install. And, homeowners want siding that is weather-resistant, stain-resistant, and will protect against mold and mildew. Regardless of the material, home exteriors need proper cleaning to extend their life and to minimize the damage caused by the elements. For this reason, we put together some cleaning recommendations based on the material of your home’s exterior.

Brick

Because brick composition varies, the first step is determining the type of brick used, if possible. Step two is to wet the entire cleaning area. Depending on how porous the brick is, you may need to clean small areas at a time to maintain the proper saturation level needed for cleaning.

You can use a 50/50 mixture of white vinegar and water or purchase specialized brick-cleaning solutions. You will need to use a hard bristle brush to scrub the brick regardless of the cleaning agent. Once the dirt, debris, or stains are loosened, you can power spray the brick to remove any remaining stains. Starting at the top, rinse the walls thoroughly to avoid chemical buildup from cleaning agents.

Tips for power washing brick walls:

• Before you power wash, do a spot check around your whole home for cracks or chips in the brick or the mortar between the bricks. If you see chips and cracking, don’t power wash yet! Instead, you will need to patch up the mortar areas and allow 7 to 10 days for the patch to cure and take hold. Then it is safe to power wash. This patching prevents water from seeping behind the bricks to the back side of your wall and trapping harmful moisture there.
• Use low PSI to start with. Try to keep your washer PSI between 200 and 500 to start with. If you feel confident that it isn’t harming your brick siding, then you can bump it up to around the 800 to 1000 PSI range.
• Use an angled spray nozzle that has a wide angle of spray to avoid too much direct spray on the brick surface. Try 45 to 75 degrees to start with.
• Start by power washing a part of your brick exterior that is typically out of view, like the back corner or behind a thick bush or shrub. You can see how your walls will react to the pressure washing. If it seems ok, then proceed with the rest of the house. If you see any chipping or gouging or other signs of damage, then stop immediately and instead clean the bricks with a brush and the light spray from a garden hose.

Composite

Composite siding blends other materials with a wood base for a less expensive and easy-to-install siding. You can use soap and water or a commercially available cleaner for composite siding. Clean in sections following the wood grain to avoid scratching the panels.

Do not let the commercial cleaner or detergent dry on the panels. Rinse the cleaned areas completely and use a cloth to dry the panels. Power washing using a low-pressure hose is an option; however, high-pressure sprays can damage the panels. You may want to check with the manufacturer for recommendations for power washing.

Fiber Cement

Technically, fiber cement siding is a composite siding, combining plant materials with Portland cement. It’s recommended that homeowners clean areas as soon as they are noticed. If caught early, most dirt, mold, chalk residue, and stains can be removed using just water. Tougher stains may require soap and water. As with other materials, rinse the fiber cement thoroughly when finished.

With fiber cement avoid harsh cleaning chemicals, as they can erode or damage the siding. Power washing is not recommended. You should clean the siding with a cloth, brush, and garden hose. Fiber cement siding should be cleaned at least once annually.

Metal

Metal siding is very durable and requires less maintenance than other options. To minimize extensive cleaning, scrub away any visible stains, mildew, or mold as soon as possible. Use a soft brush to avoid scratching the metal’s paint.

After spot cleaning, prepare a cleaning solution of 50/50 laundry detergent and water. Commercial solutions are also available. Using a hose on the lightest setting, spray the solution on the siding. Let it set for a few minutes, and then rinse with water. Be sure to thoroughly rinse the siding, as any remaining chemicals may damage or corrode the metal.

Tip: If you’d like to purchase a product that will attach to the average garden hose and will dispense soap and other cleaning agents evenly through the nozzle, then we suggest picking up something like this. For around $20, you too can be cleaning like a pro in no time!

Stucco

Stucco is made from a mixture of limestone, concrete, and sand. Its uneven texture can lead to dirt, mold, and mildew buildup. Pressure washing is often used to clean stucco; however, the equipment should only be used on the lowest setting with a low-pressure nozzle. A garden hose with a spray nozzle is an alternative. It doesn’t provide the same level of cleaning, but it will not damage the surface.

When cleaning stucco, stand at least two feet from the wall while spraying at a 45-degree angle. Because of its uneven texture and composition, high-pressure washing can remove or damage the siding.

Vinyl

Vinyl is a versatile siding that can be manufactured with or without insulation. It is weather-resistant and requires little maintenance. Although vinyl can withstand power washing, the initial cleaning should use a soft cloth or brush to remove stains, dirt, and mildew. A 50/50 mixture of vinegar and water is recommended; however, tough stains may require a commercial cleaner. 

Power washing is an option, provided the pressure is reduced to avoid damaging the siding. Check with the manufacturer before trying to power wash vinyl siding. A simple check can save you from costly repairs.

Wood

Wood siding should be cleaned every five to seven years with a solution of one part bleach and three parts water. The mixture can be gently sprayed on the siding and left for about 15 minutes. Then, rinse the solution off, making sure the water hits the wood so it flows down. Upward spraying can trap water in the wood, leading to mold and mildew. Tough stains can be removed with a stiff-bristled brush.

In Closing

Before cleaning your home’s exterior, make sure you have identified your siding material and have the right equipment to protect yourself and your property. After that, the next step is to just dive in! While this task may seem daunting at first, once you have done it once you are bound to feel more comfortable with any future instances.

There’s so much to do each year when it comes to keeping the outside of your home looking fresh and clean, especially if you want to host backyard BBQ’s and outdoor movie nights. We hope that this guide was helpful to you. We look forward to hearing about your own experiences with cleaning the outside walls of your home, so feel free to share below in the comments or shout it out on social media and tag us. Best of luck with everything around your home this year.