The Smartest Ways to Clean Your Aluminum Siding

If you are lucky enough to have aluminum siding, then you already know what a resilient and attractive material it is. Unlike vinyl siding, aluminum requires very little maintenance and can handle the extreme elements very effectively. However, aluminum siding does still deserve some TLC every once in a while. By cleaning your aluminum siding with these tips, you will guarantee that your siding will look its best and last for a very long time to come.

Get Regular

Don’t worry, “regular” doesn’t mean once a week. Aluminum siding should be cleaned once a year to eliminate the unavoidable build-up of dust, dirt, and mold. Spring and fall are the most popular times to clean; in the spring you can wash away the grime of winter, and in the fall you can take advantage of cooler temperatures to cleanse your siding of dirt and dust.

Be Prepared

Cleaning aluminum siding isn’t too complicated, but you’ll want to have a few basic tools with you. A cleaning detergent is usually strong enough, but mildew requires an application of bleach. Water from a hose will work just fine, but a pressure washer is even better. You can rent one from most home improvement stores instead of buying one outright. Of course, you need a brush to scrub with and a ladder to reach the second story.

If you opt for a pressure washer to make this process simpler, use a low setting so you don’t damage the siding.

Rinse, then Apply

Rinse all of the siding before applying any type of soap cleaner or bleach. The wet aluminum will show a more dramatic shine if it is scrubbed while wet. Just like dishware is prone to watermarks if not rinsed properly, so is aluminum siding. As soon as you’re done scrubbing, rinse the siding with water to avoid dry marks.

Work Top-Down at Angles

Think of your siding like a car. It doesn’t do much good to clean it from the bottom up. Scrub from the top, rinse, and then move down to repeat the process. It’s also important to spray water at angles to prevent it from leaking in through any small gaps.

With this strategy, you can achieve clean and gleaning aluminum siding that adds curb appeal to your home.