How to Clean Wood Siding

Cleaning wood siding, however, has to be done with a great deal of care. Do not use a pressure washer on it, unless you know exactly what you are doing. A pressure washer can destroy not only the existing house siding paint, but also damage the wood permanently and potentially foster mold and mildew growth. A pressure washer can gouge the wood, strip the existing paint off it, loosen caulk and force water underneath the clapboards where it can end up causing mold and mildew growth.

To clean wood siding it is best to use a standard garden hose and a cleaning wand. A Hyde Tools 28495 Pivot Pro Water Wand for Outdoor Cleaning – Kit is the perfect tool for cleaning house siding. It will provide just the right pressure to aide in cleaning the wood siding without damaging the wood. This said, also plan to do some hand scrubbing as well when cleaning wood siding. Tools for Cleaning Wood Siding Besides the cleaning wand, you’ll also need a garden hose, wood siding cleaner, a soft brush, and some plastic sheeting to cover and protect any plants or shrub around the house foundation.

Prepping for Cleaning Wood Siding

First close all the windows on the house. Then cover all shrubs and plants around the house foundation to protect them from becoming damaged by the wood siding cleaner. Similarly, cover any electrical outlets on the house with plastic. As you prepare to clean the house siding, pay close attention to any areas of the siding that has visible mold on it. You’ll want to pay extra attention to these areas when cleaning the siding.

Cleaning the Wood Siding Start at the roof line and work your way down the house siding, continuously moving the wand side to side while applying the cleansing water onto all surfaces of the house, siding windows and doors. After applying the cleansing water that contains the house siding cleaner allow it to sit for a few minutes before rinsing it with just clean water. Where there are mold areas on the house siding, apply the wand for a little longer of a time.

You may also want to gently scrub the affected areas with a soft brush, however, don’t overdo the scrubbing or you’ll cause damage to the paint. You can also use one of the brushes that come with the Hyde Pivot Pro cleaning wand.

Continue this process over the entire house siding. After you are complete and the siding has had time to dry stand back and take a look at your work. You’ll be amazed at the improved difference in the appearance of the house siding and your home.

So before calling the house painter or pulling out the ladders and paint brushes yourself, consider giving your house siding a good cleaning instead. If you are still unsatisfied with the appearance after cleaning the house siding, at least you will have fully prepared your house for a fresh coat of paint.