Stucco gives many DFW homes a clean, classic look, but its rough, porous surface traps dirt, pollen, and mildew. It is also one of the easiest exteriors to damage with a pressure washer. Here is how to clean it the right way.
The Short Answer
Clean stucco with a low-pressure soft wash: pre-wet the wall, apply a stucco-safe cleaning solution, let it dwell, and rinse gently from the top down. Do not use high pressure. It can chip the finish, carve lines into the surface, and force water behind the stucco.
Why High Pressure Is a Problem on Stucco
Stucco is cement-based and porous. A narrow, high-pressure stream can erode the texture, leave visible wand marks, and push water into cracks where it can cause bigger problems inside the wall. The cleaning solution, not the pressure, is what removes mildew and dirt.
Step-by-Step: How to Clean Stucco
1. Inspect for cracks
Walk the walls and look for cracks or damaged areas. Water gets in through those, so they should be repaired before a wash.
2. Protect plants and fixtures
Close windows, cover outlets and lights, and wet down nearby plants.
3. Pre-wet the stucco
Wetting the wall first keeps the cleaner from soaking in too deeply.
4. Apply the cleaner at low pressure
Work from the bottom up in sections. For green or black growth, use a solution made to kill mildew and algae.
5. Let it dwell, then rinse gently
Give it a few minutes without letting it dry, then rinse from the top down with a wide, low-pressure spray.
Common Stucco Stains
- Mildew and algae: green or black patches on shaded walls.
- Red clay splash: near the base of the walls from rain and sprinklers.
- Water stains: dark streaks below windows and rooflines.
- Rust spots: from sprinklers or metal fixtures.
When to Call a Pro
Two-story stucco, heavy growth, or older stucco with hairline cracks are good reasons to hire help. We clean stucco with a soft wash process built for delicate surfaces. See house washing for details. Most house washes in DFW run $250 to $550.
Related Reading
Ready for a quote? Call 817-580-9881 or request a free estimate online. We serve Arlington, Fort Worth, Dallas, Grand Prairie, Mansfield, and the rest of our DFW service areas.
Related: Can you pressure wash stucco?
FAQs
Can you pressure wash stucco?
Not with high pressure. Stucco should be cleaned with a low-pressure soft wash and a proper cleaning solution to avoid chipping, wand marks, and water getting behind the surface.
What is the best way to clean stucco?
Pre-wet the wall, apply a stucco-safe cleaner at low pressure, let it dwell without drying, and rinse gently from the top down.
How do you remove mildew from stucco?
Use a cleaning solution made to kill mildew and algae, applied at low pressure. Scrubbing or high pressure alone does not remove the growth at the root.
How often should stucco be cleaned?
About once a year for most North Texas homes. Shaded walls that grow mildew may need it more often.
