Dirty siding makes a whole house look older than it is. In North Texas, the usual culprits are pollen, dust, red clay splash, and green or black mildew on shaded walls. The right way to clean siding depends on what it is made of.
The Short Answer
For most siding, the safest method is a low-pressure soft wash: wet nearby plants, apply a siding-safe cleaning solution from the bottom up, let it dwell, and rinse gently from the top down. Avoid high pressure on vinyl, stucco, painted wood, and older brick mortar.
Siding Cleaning at a Glance
| Siding type | Best method | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Vinyl | Soft wash | Forcing water behind panels |
| Brick | Soft wash, low-pressure rinse | Eroding mortar joints |
| Stucco | Soft wash only | Chipping and wand marks |
| Painted wood | Soft wash | Peeling paint, raised grain |
| Fiber cement | Soft wash | Damaging the painted finish |
How to Clean Vinyl Siding
Vinyl cleans up easily with a soft wash. High pressure can drive water behind the panels and into the wall. See how to clean vinyl siding and, for faded panels, chalky vinyl siding.
How to Clean Brick Siding
Brick handles more than vinyl, but mortar is the weak point. Use a cleaning solution and low-pressure rinse. See how to clean brick and efflorescence on brick.
How to Clean Stucco
Stucco is porous and easy to damage, so it should only be soft washed. See how to clean stucco.
How to Clean Wood and Fiber Cement Siding
Painted surfaces need gentle cleaning. High pressure can lift paint and raise wood grain. Soft wash, rinse well, and check for peeling paint afterward.
Removing Mildew and Algae
Green or black patches on north-facing or shaded walls are growth, not dirt. Scrubbing or pressure alone rarely removes it at the root. A cleaning solution that kills mildew and algae does. See how to soft wash a house.
How Often to Clean Siding
Once a year works for most DFW homes. See how often to wash your house in Texas.
When to Call a Pro
Two-story homes, heavy growth, and mixed materials are faster and safer with professional equipment. Our house washing service soft washes siding across DFW, and most homes cost $250 to $550.
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: How to pressure wash siding
FAQs
What is the best way to clean house siding?
A low-pressure soft wash with a siding-safe cleaning solution, applied from the bottom up and rinsed from the top down. It cleans without damaging the surface.
Can I pressure wash my siding?
Use caution. High pressure can damage vinyl, stucco, painted wood, and mortar. A soft wash is safer for most siding.
What removes green mildew from siding?
A cleaning solution made to kill mildew and algae, applied at low pressure and given time to work before rinsing.
How much does it cost to clean siding?
In Dallas-Fort Worth, most professional house washes cost $250 to $550, depending on the home’s size, height, and condition.
