Naturally, vinyl siding is low-maintenance. Nevertheless, you need to clean it from time to time to enhance the curb appeal. Cleaning your vinyl siding is one of the ways of improving your curb appeal, which then improves your home value.
Now that you already have your 1000-1500 PSI pressure washer for vinyl siding, it is important to find an equally powerful cleaner to match the pressure washer. With tons of siding cleaners out there, you will need to do extensive research before you buy one.
Luckily, we have done that for you, and we will be sharing our findings in this article.
Let’s explore the 8 best pressure washer detergent for vinyl siding that you should consider buying.
Top 8 Vinyl Siding Cleaner For Pressure Washer Reviews
1# Mold Armor FG503 E-Z- Best Pressure Washer Solution for Vinyl Siding
First up on our list is this cleaner from Mold Armor. This one will work on house sidings including vinyl, wood, brick, stucco, fences, decks, and even aluminum.
If you are equipped with your high-power pressure washer and this Mold Armor E-Z House Wash, no algae, mildew or mold will stand in your way. Regardless of the level of stain, this cleaner will easily lift it off the surface of your vinyl siding as the pressure washer cleans it off.
You can use this cleaner for your house exterior without a problem. The best part is that it is completely safe for landscaping applications. In other words, this cleaner will not harm your plants or landscaping in any way.
Ideally, mix one part of the cleaner with three parts of water for working on typical stains. But for the stubborn stains, reduce the amount of water by one or two parts.
We loved the fact that no scrubbing is required when working with this cleaner. This 1 gallon cleaner will cover up to 2,000 square feet. So yes, it’s ideal for both homeowners and professionals.
2# Simple Green Oxy 1Gal- Best Cleaner For Vinyl Siding Pressure Washing
This is a non-toxic cleaner biodegradable cleaner that comes with the EPA Safer Choice label. When equipped with this cleaner, you can easily remove stains and any other discoloring including mildew, moss, and algae.
The vinyl siding pressure washer soap is made of some eco-friendly ingredients like hydrogen peroxide. This ingredient is well known to lift dirt, stains, tree saps, and other grime from the siding. Best of all, it won’t cause any harm to the plants, turf, or your furry buddies at home. You can apply the concentrated formula with a pressure washer for easy cleaning.
For the record, the pressure washer concentrate can clean up to 6,400sq ft. If you will be cleaning manually, all you have to do is dilute 1.5 cups of the detergent in two gallons of water in a bucket. From there, you simply have to water the siding, then apply the concentrate with water still on an allow it to sit for around three minutes. From there, just rinse it off with water.
Even though this cleaner comes with the potent ingredient, hydrogen peroxide that lifts off dirt and grime, it might need some elbow grease when scrubbing off algae. Plus, some people thought it was somewhat expensive.
3# Wet & Forget- Best Pressure Washer Soap For Vinyl Siding
If you have been experiencing a difficult time with mold, moss, algae, or mildew stain and you need the best vinyl siding cleaner for pressure washer, this would be a good pick for you.
One unique feature of this cleaner is that it will give you a very easy time when working with it. The cleaner comes with a hose-end with a proprietary nozzle for you to enjoy higher reach and more coverage for each bottle. For the record, this cleaner will attach directly to your hose. You don’t need to mix it with water separately.
Furthermore, it can reach up to 30 feet away, making it an ideal cleaner that can clean the hard-to-reach areas. Whether you want to reach the siding on the second story or the roof, this cleaner will be your best friend in it.
It is important to note that the cleaner covers up to 2,000 square feet per bottle. While that might seem reliable enough, it is way smaller compared to other cleaners on the list and out there.
You will enjoy an easy and quick spraying session with this cleaner. But the best part is that you won’t need any rinsing or scrubbing on your siding. The cleaner is non-acidic with no bleach or phosphates in it, making it safe to use around grass or plants.
Even though it might be quick and easy to use the spray, it might give you a slightly hard time to adjust the valve.
4# Wet and Forget 10587 1 Gallon- Best House Wash For Vinyl Siding
If you are the brand-loyal kind of buyer, here is another cleaner from Wet and Forget (like our previous product) to help you get rid of almost any dirt and grime on your siding.
This can be considered the best house wash for vinyl siding if you are looking for a reliable that will also serve you for a long time. It is non-acidic and non-caustic to make it safe to use it all around the house without worrying about the safety of the plants and landscaping.
The cleaner is generally safe on any outdoor surface, which is an added advantage. You can dilute it with water and apply it on your vinyl siding, which will then penetrate right through the stain to lift it off. Best of all, the cleaner will reactivate whenever it rains to ensure any existing stain is removed. Luckily, it doesn’t contain any acid or bleach that will be harmful to your siding.
Remember that the cleaner is generally easy to use on your siding. You might not even need a user manual to use this fella. All you have to do is turn the triggers on your desired angle to achieve the product flow of your choice. We loved that the stream will reach extreme heights, which will eliminate the need for using a ladder.
Unfortunately, this product is not sold in California. Also, some users thought the price is high compared to other pressure washer siding cleaners.
5# Scotts Outdoor Vinyl Siding Cleaner
If you want the most bang for your buck, this cleaner would be a good pick for you. This cleaner comes with some potent ingredients that make it powerful enough to get rid of the dirt and grime with ease.
The cleaner comes with hydrogen peroxide that will easily lift off dirt and stains from the siding without using harsh chemicals. In other words, this detergent doesn’t come with chlorine, bleach, or phosphates. That is why most people rank it high. Furthermore, this fact means that you can use the detergent around grass and plants without any worries.
What’s more, the detergent possesses a powerful fast-foaming action that will start to work as soon as it gets in contact with the surface. This detergent will also work perfectly on vinyl, wood composite, stone, wood, cement, patio furniture, boat interiors, and most outdoor spaces. It is, therefore, safe to consider it a versatile outdoor cleaner.
So, how do you work with this cleaner? Very simple! All you’ve got to do is apply, allow to sit for around 10 minutes, scrub, and rinse accordingly. Keep in mind that this 2.5 gallon can make up to 25 gallons when you dilute it. And, of course, you can use it with power washers.
Unfortunately, this one might not work so well on mold and mildew. Maybe waiting for it to sit a little longer might solve the case.
6# Mr. Clean FG411 House Outdoor Mold Cleaner
The versatility of this outdoor cleaner is one of a kind. You can use this cleaner to get rid of all the dirt outdoor with little to no scrubbing.
This fella can help you cleaner can be used on driveways, patios, decks, as well as siding. It might only be 64 ounces, but this cleaner can cover up to 4,500 square feet. It is a concentrated formula that will easily get rid of the mildew, grime, dirt, and other stubborn stains with ease.
Another feature that made us go for this cleaning master is the fact that it comes with an excellent ergonomic hose-end sprayer. This gives you an easy time when using it. There is an easy thumb glide lever, along with a large spray selector that is textured and easy to turn. With this selector, you can choose your ideal spray pattern without getting in touch with the solution.
Best of all, it can shoot streams that will easily reach the second story of your building without a problem. By the way, the selector lets you choose between 4 spray patterns to meet your needs accordingly.
We loved that this cleaner will not leave any residue on the treated surface. You can even use it around plants without any issue.
Well, some people prefer a nicely scented detergent for their outdoor space. However, the smell of this cleaner might not be as appealing as such to everybody. Plus, some had a challenge when changing the nozzle from clean to rinse off.
7# Fantastik 94369 1-Gal Heavy Duty Vinyl Sliding Solution
What can we say? Fantastik is Fantastic. But seriously, this cleaner does a very satisfying job of working on your vinyl cleaning. We reckon it’s the best pressure washer soap for vinyl siding if you want an all-purpose cleaner.
This one comes with a fast-cleaning formula compared to most cleaners out there. You will have an easy time working with it, and it will also start working almost as soon as it gets in contact with your vinyl siding.
With this vinyl siding soap, you can be confident of keeping your siding free of crayons, grease, stubborn soils, heel marks, or other stains.
As we had stated, it is a multipurpose cleaner that can be used in multiple areas such as ceramic floors, faucets, counter tops, walls, or bathtubs. In other words, you can use the cleaner both indoors and outdoors without a problem.
This cleaner also comes with some fragrance to leave your siding with a better smell. However, not every user found the smell appealing enough. But we thought the smell was not so bad, especially if the siding was with stinking dirt or if you are using it around the bathroom.
The best part is that it does get rid of the stubborn stains with limited effort.
8# Krud Kutter HS01 1 Gallon House & Sliding Cleaner
Last, but not least, is this pressure washer that comes from a reputable brand, Krud Kutter. This one also qualifies as the best pressure washer solution for vinyl siding.
One thing that made us consider it a top pick is the proprietary formulation that it contains. The cleaner comes with the SPOREX additive, which is known to get rid of the tough stains. It means that it can easily get rid of algae, fungus, mold, mildew, moss, or another other stubborn stains with ease. What’s more, this cleaner can even remove the gray weathering on chalking, wood, and the unpleasant oxidation.
When mixed a ration of 1:10, it can cover a total of 2,000 square feet. In other words, one bottle of the concentrate will give you 11 gallons of premix to help you clean the siding and other outdoor spaces.
The formula of this cleaner is meant to not only get rid of the stains but also slow down their return. Best of all, it is eco-friendly and doesn’t contain any petroleum solvents or other acidic content. You can use this cleaner both indoors and outdoors without a problem.
No stain stands safe against this cleaner. Regardless of what you want to clean, this cleaner will do wonders on the siding and other outdoor areas/furniture.
You might have to wait for three to five minutes before washing this mixture of this cleaner if you want to enjoy excellent results.
This cleaner will leave your siding looking shiny, dirt free, and appealing enough. It might be non-toxic, but the cleaner has a mild odor that may be unbearable to some users. In some cases, it can leave streaks on the siding.
Buying Guide
When you are in search of the best cleaner for vinyl siding pressure washing, there are some things that you will need to consider. Here is what you should look out for;
Consider The Type of Cleaner: Soap or Detergent
Before you choose any of them, it is important to understand them individually. No need to Google for their difference because that’s our job for you today. Here is a look at the difference between a soap and a detergent;
Soap
Soaps are regular cleaning products that are made from natural ingredients such as plant oils and animal fat. The blend of these raw products and salt will be processed to fatty acids and glycerin with steam. After that, the soap will be produced. The bar soaps use sodium as salt, while liquid soaps use potassium, like salt.
Soap will then be mixed with water, which will then break it down to dissolve grime, dirt, and stains with ease. However, one drawback of soaps is that the minerals in them will react with the minerals in the water. As a result, you will be left with an insoluble film.
Detergent
On the other hand, a detergent uses chemicals and other inorganic ingredients instead of natural ingredients. Mostly, detergents are used to clean clothes and get rid of tough stains. It is important to keep in mind that the detergents will come with different sensitiveness to soft and hard water. This will be with regard to the chemical composition.
So, if you are looking for the best cleaner for your vinyl siding, we recommend that you go with a detergent. But, this would be the best pick if you are using hard water to clean your siding. Also detergents have a better cleansing action than soap.
Consider the Ingredients
The ingredients of the cleaner is another thing you should consider. This will let you know if you are using one that is safe enough for your plants, landscaping or the pets around. Some of the common ingredients found in power washer cleaners include the following;
Citric acid: This is ideal for cleaning the hard surfaces such as a wood deck, driveway, and concrete. Also, this ingredient is used for removing stains on the mentioned surfaces.
Vinegar: Most people already know that vinegar is a common cleaning home remedy. It is usually used to clean windows, countertops, as well as corners of the building. You can use it for surface polishing and shining.
Oxalic acid: This ingredient is used to remove any rust or corrosion. It can also be used for any other cleaning.
Ammonia:This is a general glass cleaner, and it is also used for cleaning stainless steel.
Sodium hydroxide:This one is also known as caustic, and it will dissolve fats, grease, or other grime with ease. Furthermore, it is known to lift off dirt, grime, and stain easily hence making it easy to clean your siding.
Ideally, choose a cleaner that comes with Sodium hydroxide, which will easily lift off the dirt and grime without using chemicals.
Bleach: This is a blend of sodium hydroxide and sodium hypochlorite. It is a strong sanitizer and disinfectant that helps to eliminate stains and stubborn dirt on surfaces.
If you have mildew and mold on your vinyl siding and other areas outside your home, you should consider a cleaner with ammonium chloride, oxygenated bleach, or chlorine bleach.
Above all, avoid cleaners that have organic solvents and petroleum ethers line THF, acetone, or benzene. These ingredients can cause haziness, discoloration, and can even damage your vinyl siding in the long run.
Cleaning Method
So yes, a pressure washer will only need you to spray at the vinyl siding to remove the dirt. However, not all of them won’t require scrubbing and rinsing. Some cleaners will need you to add some elbow grease for you to eliminate the dirt and grime accordingly.
For that, ensure that you check and possibly test if the cleaner will get rid of the dirt and grime on your siding without the need for scrubbing or rinsing. However, it doesn’t mean that one that will require you to scrub and rinse is not effective. It’s only that the one that needs no scrubbing or rinsing is time-saving. However, some might not get rid of the stubborn stains effectively.
Since you will be using the cleaner with your pressure washer, it is recommended to choose one that doesn’t require scrubbing. It should contain powerful ingredients that will make it work perfectly with the power of the pressure washer to wash off the typical stain and dirt on your vinyl siding.
Size/Capacity
Okay, this is not such a major point to focus on, but it still should be considered. The size or capacity of the cleaner will determine if it will cover the outdoor areas accordingly or not. Generally, a cleaner in a large container will serve you for a long time, and it tends to be more reliable if you have a large home. Choose the size based on the size of your home, how often you intend to use it, and the mixing ratio to water.
Ideally, choose a 5-gallon cleaner as it tends to save you money while serving you for a long time.
Smell
We also consider the smell of the cleaner when shopping for one. Regardless of how clean your vinyl will look, it is important to consider the smell that is left behind. This will depend on the preference of the homeowner.
The smell of snow foam, for example, can leave your vinyl smelling nice and cool, which is also a neutral smell. All in all, ensure that you choose a product with a smell that works for you perfectly.
Don’t forget to choose a cleaner that is safe for your garden. In other words, choose an eco-friendly cleaner at all times.
Above all, choose one from a reputable brand to be sure of getting the right stuff for your siding clean up.
FAQ- Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
There goes it. We are now confident that you can step out there and get the best siding cleaner for pressure washer. When choosing one, remember to consider the ingredients used, application type, and if it will eliminate the stain accordingly. Always ensure that you consider the state and final color of your vinyl siding as you clean it. Discolored siding will ruin the curb appeal.
