Green Tips to Removing Mold From Your Siding
You may think that the only way to remove mold from your vinyl siding is by using a pressure washer. A pressure washer is one of the simplest solutions, but it’s not necessarily the best one. If you’re looking for natural or “green” alternative cleaning methods, we’ve developed two great solutions that will leave you with surprising results!
Before you get started, you’ll want to make sure to check your siding manufacturer’s guidelines and test the solution on an inconspicuous test area. You’ll need to wait at least 24-48 hours. Then, check to see if any adverse side effects have occurred.
Let’s get started…
The first green alternative for removing mold from your siding is a simple Bleach Solution. This is a simple mixture of detergent, bleach and water. For siding that is beginning to look a little green, this solution is very powerful to combat the mold and mildew.
You’ll need:
- ⅓ cup powdered laundry detergent
- ⅔ cup powdered household cleaner
- 1 quart of liquid household bleach
- 1 gallon of water
- A garden sprayer (with your water hose’s “fireman” nozzle - to reach higher places)
One gallon of your bleach solution should should cover a 10’ X 20’ area, depending on how liberally you apply it. After applying a liberal coat to your vinyl siding, leave it for five to ten minutes.
Then, use your garden hose to rinse off the solution. Depending on the severity of the mold, it may be necessary to apply a second or third coat and repeat the steps above.
The second green alternative for removing mold from siding is a simple Vinegar Solution. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Large Scrub Brush
- White Household Vinegar
- Baking Soda
- Water
- Rubber Gloves
- Bucket
This method will require you to do each step by hand. So, it’s smart to divide your work into sections. Complete the most visible parts first. Then break up the remainder into smaller sections you can tackle here and there.
First, use your bucket to make a 70/30 mixture of water to vinegar. The simplest way to remember this is to use 7 cups of water to 3 cups of vinegar. In a separate container, make a paste of ½ cup of baking soda to ¼ cup of water. You’re looking for a gritty consistency. Use rubber gloves to protect your hands from the drying effects of the solution. Using the large scrub brush, apply the vinegar mixture to clean against the grain to reach smaller grooves that are easy to miss. Rinse your scrub brush frequently to avoid just spreading the mold around.
For extra tough stains, use the baking soda and water mixture, with a smaller scrub brush. Be sure to remove the excess paste after you’ve removed the stain.
So, there you have it! A little elbow grease and some simple household products..and, voila! “Green” ways to clean mold from your siding.
