How to Clean Vinyl Fencing and Siding

Vinyl fencing and siding requires very little maintenance, much less than traditional fencing materials. To keep your fence looking its best, all you have to do is clean it from time to time. In this guide, we will explain the best way to clean vinyl fencing and siding to save you time and energy.

Power Washing

Power washing is the simplest way to clean vinyl fencing and siding. If you do not have the equipment to do this, you can rent it for relatively little money, or you could pay someone to power wash your fence for you. A high pressure jet of water will spray onto the siding to remove dirt, debris, mold, mildew, and anything else that may be on the surface.

If you are doing the power washing yourself, start with a low setting and work your way up. You may not need much pressure to get the job done. In most cases, 500-700 PSI is sufficient for cleaning vinyl fence posts. If you have stuck-on dirt or you have not cleaned the fence in a while, you may need to increase your setting to get everything cleaned.

Power washing does not work well for all fences, so be careful before you choose this option. While most vinyl can withstand the pressure from the water, some older fences cannot. If your fencing is old and worn, you may need to take a gentler approach.

Vinegar

There is an alternative to power washing that requires a little more elbow grease, but it is something you can do with household products. Add 1 cup of white vinegar to 1 gallon of water in a bowl or bucket. Dip a rag into the bucket, ring it out slightly, and scrub the fencing or siding. You can choose to dilute the solution a little more or add extra vinegar, depending on how much you can stand the smell. The odor will go away once the solution completely dries.

If the dirt is difficult to get off the first time around, you may try putting the solution in a spray bottle and squirting it all over the fencing. Let it sit for a little bit before using the scrubbing method above. The sprayed vinegar can break down the dirt before you wash it off.

Homemade Fence Cleaner

Yet another alternative cleaning solution combines 2/3 cup powder household cleaner, 1/3 cup powder laundry detergent, 1 gallon of water and 1 quart of bleach. Mix all of this together in a bucket and scrub down your fencing. Be careful though. Since this solution contains bleach, it mainly only works for white vinyl fencing and siding. If you use it on colored vinyl, it may discolor it.

How Often Should I Clean Vinyl Fencing?

The frequency of your cleaning depends on how dirty your fence gets. If you live in an area with wind-driven rain, your fencing may get dirtier than someone with little precipitation. The color of your fencing will change how dirty it looks, which will also play a role in your maintenance. Ideally you should clean your fence at least once a year, but you may get away with less. When your fencing looks grimy at first glance, it’s time to take care of it.