Tips for maintaining your home
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Vinyl Siding Maintenance Tips
Like any other exterior siding surface, vinyl siding will have dirt exposure from atmospheric conditions. Ordinarily, the cleaning action of rainfall will be adequate to wash the outside of your home. However, vinyl siding and soffit should be washed periodically by rinsing with a garden hose and clear water particularly in those areas not exposed directly to rain. If you desire to do a more thorough cleaning, especially if high soil collection conditions exist, follow these simple instructions:
To Clean Vinyl Siding:
1. Use a soft-bristled, long-handled washing brush (it attaches to your garden hose and makes washing your siding easier). Do not rub vigorously, as this may create glossy areas over the vinyl siding finish.
2. 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:
- 1/3 cup powdered detergent (Tide, Fab, or an equivalent powder detergent)
- 2/3 cup household cleaner (Soilax, Spic & Span or the equivalent)
- 1 gallon water
3. If Mildew is a problem in your area, substitute 1 quart of laundry bleach for 1 quart of water in the solution above.
4. If you wash down the entire house, start at the bottom and work up to the top, as less streaking will result.
5. 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.
6. For best results when using a cleaning solution, select an overcast cool day (55-75 degrees) 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 EYES OR SKIN.