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Many homeowners choose vinyl siding because it is an affordable, maintenance-free product that requires little effort to keep looking great. However, it stains easily so every homeowner should know how to get deck stain off vinyl siding.
Understanding how to remove stains from your siding will help you boost your home’s curb appeal. Different types of stains may appear on your siding. The deck stains are very common and they can ruin the look of your property.
You would want the best methods that will work miracles on those unsightly stains. Here, we will take a look at the most effective ways for how to get deck stain off vinyl siding.
How to Get Deck Stain off Vinyl Siding
What You’ll Need
On the market, you can find a variety of products for removing stains from sidings, including Mineral Spirits, Pine-Sol, Stripper by Behr, etc. Some people prefer whipping up their own cleaner with household products, such as baking soda and oxygen bleach. This can get the job done just as well.
It is imperative to pick cleaning solutions that are completely safe for vinyl because everything will be for naught if it gets damaged. No matter what cleaning product you choose, you’ll need the following items and things for this simple DIY project:
- Scrub brush with soft or medium bristles or Pressure Washer
- A piece of cloth (use clean, soft clothing), rag, or sponge, towels
- A large container or bucket
- A wooden spoon or paint stirrer (for mixing your stain removing product)
- Water
Method 1: Use a Vinyl Siding Cleaner with a Pressure Washer
1. Fill the Soap in the Pressure Washer
 There are two ways to do this. If your pressure washer has a siphon tube for automatic mixing, simply put the siphon tube into the soap bottle.Â
You can also pour the soap into the pressure washer’s soap reservoir.
2. Apply low pressure water
 First, you’ll want to wet the surface with just water. Use the low pressure setting on your pressure washer.
3. Apply soap on low pressure
 You can now apply the soap solution at the low pressure setting.
4. Wait 3-5 minutes
 During this time, the cleaning solution will be doing its work dissolving and softening the deck stain.
5. Rinse with high pressure
 With your pressure washer at high pressure setting, rinse it all off.
Alternatively, you can scrub it by hand. This method is best if you don’t have a lot of deck stain that needs to be removed from the vinyl siding.
Scrubbing with House Siding Brush Steps
- Mix 1:20 soap to water
- With a garden hose, wet the surface that needs cleaning
- Use a scrub brush to apply the soap and water mix. Choose only soft-bristle or medium-bristle brushes to avoid damaging the vinyl.
- Choose the highest pressure that your hose can go, and rinse off the excess soap.
Method 2: Using Oxygen Bleach
The most common method of removing deck stains from vinyl siding is the use of oxygen bleaching solutions. Oxygen bleach (also known as sodium percarbonate) is proven to get stains off exterior sidings.
It’s made from hydrogen peroxide and soda ash, the compounds that are safe for vinyl. Don’t mistake oxygen bleach for chlorine bleach, which is much stronger and harmful to vinyl products.
Step 1: Prepare Your Bleach Solution
The very first thing you need to do is prepare or make a cleaning solution. You will need a bucket, stirrer (or a wooden spoon), powdered oxygen bleach, and water.
Pour 1 gallon (about 3.8 liters) of water into a container or bucket. It’s best to use cold and clean water.
Then add 1 cup of oxygen bleach powder. Mix water with oxygen bleach by stirring these contents with a paint stirrer. A wooden spoon can also be helpful.
After stirring, the resulting solution should be transferred to spray bottles. Make sure the sprayer top is tightened well.
Step 2: Apply the Oxygen Bleach Solution
Once you have prepared the bleaching solution, you will need to soak the deck stains with it by spraying the stained area with this mixture. It should be generously squirted over the affected area, so don’t skimp on the bleach solution. Allow it to sit for 10-15 minutes.
Afterward, take another bucket and pour water into it before moving to the next step. You will need this bucket of water to dip the sponge or clothing when rinsing the stain.
Step 3: Clean Away Stains with a Scrub Brush
After about 15 minutes, dip your scrub brush (make sure it has soft bristles) into the first bucket – the one that contains oxygen bleaching solution – and scrub the affected area gently.
Once you have removed the stain, you’ll have to wipe down the area thoroughly. Use a piece of cloth, sponge, or rag dipped in the second bucket of clean water.
Keep in mind that some areas may still appear stained. To remove the most stubborn stains, you’ll need to reapply your bleach solution and wait an extra 15 minutes before scrubbing again.
If your vinyl siding is entirely darkened or stained, you will need to clean all the planks to get a uniform color. By removing stains and dirt from the entire area, you will ensure that the color of every plank is the same.
Step 4: Wipe the Area Clean
Take an eco-friendly cleaning solution and spray the affected area. Make sure the cleaning spray you use is safe for vinyl.
After spraying your siding wait for ten minutes or more until the cleaner starts working. Then take a damp rag/sponge and give the siding a good clean-up.
Use contractor-grade cleaning solution for the most persistent stains. Choose one that is designed specifically for deck stains. It will help your get rid of hard-to-remove stains.
Method 3: Remove Deck Stain with a Stain Stripper
Stain strippers can also do a good job of getting deck stains off vinyl siding. You can buy them online or at any hardware shop that sells Behr products. To remove stains, follow these simple steps:
Step 1. Apply the solution to the area affected by stains by spraying it generously.
Step 2. Allow it to work. It takes from 20 to 30 minutes, depending on what type of stain stripper you use.
Step 3. Scrub deck stain away with cloth or sponge. Repeat until any remaining stain or dirt is removed.
Step 4. Using clean water, thoroughly rinse the area and wipe it clean.
Step 5. Dry with a clean rag or towel. That’s it!
Additional Ideas & Tips on How to Get Deck Stain off Vinyl Siding
Tip 1: Test Cleaners Before Applying Them
Not every cleaning product can remove deck stains without damaging the vinyl. The last thing you want is to use something that will disfigure your siding, right? Before applying your cleaner to the entire area, test it in a smaller, inconspicuous spot to check if there are adverse reactions.
Tip 2: Don’t Allow a Cleaner to Sit for Longer Than is Advisable
If you let the cleaning solution sit for an extended period of time, it can cause discoloration or damage to your vinyl siding. With that said, you should always check the time that is indicated on the product label.
Tip 3: Pressure Washers Should Be Used With Caution
After stain removal, some people prefer to rinse cleaning solutions out of their sidings using pressure washers. While this can help clean the planks effectively, be extremely cautious not to damage your vinyl siding. Adjust the pressure sprayer to a low-pressure setting to prevent this.
Tip 4: Paint Over Stains That Can’t Be Removed
While most deck stains can easily be removed using oxygen bleaching solutions or stain strippers, some stubborn stains may not come off. If no stain removal product works, paint over those stains rather than scraping your vinyl siding to avoid damage. Pick a color that will match the surrounding planks.
FAQs About How to Get Deck Stain off Vinyl Siding
Can Acetone Damage My Vinyl Siding?
Yes, it can. So do not use it when cleaning your vinyl siding to avoid damage. Just like some other solvents like mineral spirits and lacquer thinner, acetone can disfigure and dissolve vinyl permanently.
Can I Use Bleach On Vinyl Siding?
If you want to save yourself a headache, avoid cleaning your vinyl siding with undiluted chlorine bleach. Use oxygen bleach instead. You should also avoid ammonia products as well as nail polish and liquid grease removers. These harsh cleaners can give rise to corrosion and cause damage to the vinyl surface.
Takeaway
The siding is an important part of the exterior that adds to the curb appeal of a house. To keep it looking good, you should know how to get deck stain off vinyl siding. Once you remove stains as explained above, maintain your exterior siding to keep them from reappearing.
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