How do I keep Algae off my vinyl siding?

[ctuser1]

The north side of my house does not get much sun. It tends to get some sort of green/blue algae growing on the vinyl siding and makes it look horrible.

I power-washed the siding 2 months ago. For a novice DIY-er like myself it was a lot of effort and seemed like a big job (the entire north side has this issue).

And today morning I was dismayed to find that the algae is back.

Does anyone have any tips how to clean it off in the easiest manner and to keep them off? I hate the fact that they came back just two months after I cleaned them off!!

[Papa bear]

Wet and forget for vinyl siding.  Does a pretty good job.


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[lthenderson]

Lots of products around for cleaning algae off vinyl siding. Just make sure any power washing is done from above the siding with the water angled down to the ground. I've seen lots of water damage over the years caused by homeowners power washing from the ground and essentially spraying water up through the weep holes in the bottom of the siding and onto the subsurface beneath.

To prevent algae from growing to start with, I would recommend replacing your vinyl siding with something else. This is exactly why I will never install vinyl siding on any house of mine.

[Sibley]

I have aluminum siding and while its not as bad I do get some mold on the north side. So do trees. It's really a function of light exposure. You can probably find an inhibitor which will slow it down, but realistically this is a regular thing you'll need to deal with.

[hdatontodo]

Wet and forget for vinyl siding.  Does a pretty good job.

Thanks, I bought a $20, 64oz bottle with a squeeze sprayer and sprayed 7, five-foot long, pieces of siding. A day later, the green was gone.

[norajean]

If the siding can withstand bleach, it is a lot cheaper than Wet & Forget and very effective.

[wotan]

i use Jomax cleaner. i gallon should do the whole house.
kept the algae off the siding for about 5 years. 
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Zinsser-1-Gal-Jomax-House-Cleaner-and-Mildew-Killer-60101/100398378

[Dancin'Dog]

If the siding can withstand bleach, it is a lot cheaper than Wet & Forget and very effective.

Bleach and a little soap (like Dawn) in a 2-3 gallon pump-up garden sprayer works great.  Very easy DIY job. 


1) pre-wet with water
2) spray bleach solution ( 1/2 gallon & a good squirt of soap per 2 gallon sprayer)  & let sit for a few minutes.
3) rinse & done


Works best at milder temps.  Hot days can evaporate the bleach solution before it has time to work.


Vinyl siding is the easiest type of siding to clean.  If it's really old and has a chalky texture you'll need to pressure wash it.

[ctuser1]

I'll try bleach and soap.

Yesterday I tried clorox wipes on a small section between two french doors. That worked great but it would be very expensive for the entire house, and a lot of work doing it by hand.

There are two sides of my house that doesn't get much sunlight. One of them has all the electrical/electronic equipment. So I need to be very careful cleaning it. I can't power-wash that side. So bleach and soap + squigee is what I will try first.

Also thanks for other suggestions (including Jomax). I'll try to avoid that right now because the Jomax page reads "Toxic to fish and aquatic life; do not discharge effluent into lakes, streams, ponds, etc", and I am right next to a stream.

[Dancin'Dog]

I'll try bleach and soap.

Yesterday I tried clorox wipes on a small section between two french doors. That worked great but it would be very expensive for the entire house, and a lot of work doing it by hand.

There are two sides of my house that doesn't get much sunlight. One of them has all the electrical/electronic equipment. So I need to be very careful cleaning it. I can't power-wash that side. So bleach and soap + squigee is what I will try first.

Also thanks for other suggestions (including Jomax). I'll try to avoid that right now because the Jomax page reads "Toxic to fish and aquatic life; do not discharge effluent into lakes, streams, ponds, etc", and I am right next to a stream.

You shouldn't have to worry about washing around the electrical equipment.  It's all setup & designed to be outdoors & handle rain & storms.  Don't directly aim the pressure hard at them, but you can clean and rinse all that stuff.