Aluminum siding is one of the most popular choices for siding among homeowners because it requires very little maintenance to keep it looking attractive.

Aluminum siding's long-lasting quality and durability makes it a wonderful investment to beautify your home. Nevertheless, it still needs a good cleaning every now and then in order to keep it looking the best possible condition as it was before.

How-to-Clean-Aluminum-Siding-Yourself

Unless you’re trying to give the impression of being the poorest household on the block, you are eventually going to need to know how to clean aluminum siding yourself. It is not only because you’re trying to protect one of your most important investments – your house – but you also have to keep up with your neighbors who are also doing their best to keep their properties sparkling clean.

But nobody wants to spend an entire weekend cleaning the aluminum siding on your own and since you also won’t be bothered with the expensive invoice a professional cleaner will charge you with, you still can do it on your own - with minimum time invested but with maximum and satisfying result. Here are five simple steps to clean aluminum siding yourself.

Before You Start

  1. Turn off power to any outside electrical units.
  2. Close all windows and doors.
  3. Cover etched glass or intricate fixture that may be prone to water damage as well as delicate shrubs and flowers that have poor reaction to cleaning solutions.
  4. Temporarily remove articles, equipment, and furniture that may be in the way.
  5. Check for signs of mold and mildew. It will turn white when you squirt some bleach on it. It will stay dark if it’s just dirt.

During the Cleaning Process

  1. Pour ¼ cup of laundry detergent to 4 gallons of water on a large bucket.
  2. Use a hose to spray away any loose dirt and debris. If you’re using a pressure washer, make sure it is in a low-pressure setting to avoid causing dent to the siding.
  3. Using a brush with a long handle or any improvised cleaning tool, dip it into the soapy water and scrub away.
  4. Work from top to bottom, focusing on three to five foot sections at a time.
  5. Make sure to rinse away all the soap before it dries to avoid leaving any mark on the siding.

Additional Tips and Advice

  • If you want an environmental-friendly cleaning solution, you can substitute trisodium phosphate to your regular laundry detergent.
  • A mild 1:5 ratio of bleach and water solution can effectively remove mold and mildew build-up on the aluminum siding.
  • Always clean from top to bottom, meaning, if you’re using a ladder, have another person assist you in order to ensure your safety while scrubbing away the dirt and grime off of your aluminum siding.
  • A white, powdery substance called chalk can accumulate on aluminum siding due to weathering. This can be removed using a siding wash available from home improvement or hardware stores.
  • To prevent excessive dirt, dust, and grime from accumulating, it is recommended to maintain a regular cleaning schedule. Cleaning your aluminum siding at least once a year will keep it looking better and make it last longer.

For Serious Stains

  1. Mix baking soda and dish detergent to form a paste.
  2. Smear the paste on the stain.
  3. Let it sit for half an hour.
  4. Scrub away.
  5. Rinse off.

Obviously, if you consider the job too much to handle or your house is way too big to clean the aluminum siding yourself, you can hire a professional aluminum siding cleaner.