Who doesn’t like their home’s vinyl siding to be clear and mildew-free?
Just as it’s important to maintain your home’s interior, the exterior requires regular upkeep as well.
Though vinyl siding is relatively easy to maintain, regular cleaning is still required to avoid the buildup of dust, mold, and mildew.
UPDATE: We’ve added new reader reviews for 2020.
What Is Vinyl Siding?
Some of you may not be entirely clear on what vinyl siding is.
Vinyl siding is plastic siding that is commonly used for the exterior of residential homes and apartments.
Vinyl siding is made from PVC (polyvinyl chloride) and is used as an alternative to fiber cement, aluminum, and wood siding.
Vinyl Siding Mold and Mildew
Vinyl siding is durable and doesn’t require as much cleaning as other exterior sidings.
However, you should clean it once or twice a year to clear all of the accumulated grime and dirt.
If you don’t deal with the dirt on your siding now, then be ready to deal with mold and mildew later.
A humid damp climate and vegetation around your home can cause mold and mildew to grow on vinyl siding, which can pose serious health issues as a result of breathing in mold. Moreover, mold on siding can help attract pesky bugs like gnats and mosquitoes.
Best Mold and Mildew Cleaners for Vinyl Siding
To avoid and overcome these problems, you need the best mold and mildew cleaner for vinyl siding.
We’ve done the online research and reviewed the best vinyl siding cleaners for your home. These cleaners work fast and do not damage your vinyl siding.
Take a look!
Best Value Mold and Mildew Cleaners
Vinyl cleaners come in many different compositions, formulas, and prices.
We took all these factors into account to find you the best value mold and mildew cleaners.
RMR-86 Pro Instant Mold & Mildew Stain Remover
When it comes to superior and ultra-fast cleaning performance, RMR-86 Pro is one of the leading names in the market.
Designed and created by disaster restoration experts, this new improved pro formula instantly removes mold and mildew stains in just 10 seconds.
The application requires no scrubbing, mixing or sanding. All you have to do is apply with a standard sprayer and watch deep-rooted mold stains vanish in mere seconds.
Overall, this professional grade formula cleans up to 5 times faster than the average mold and mildew cleaner.
RMR-86 pro is formulated with surfactants having deep penetration power and hybrid ultra-pure Sodium Hypochlorite that offers a deep-cleaning action by breaking the mold stains apart and quickly dissolving them without leaving behind any residue.
Another great thing about this mold cleaner is that is safe to use on almost all surfaces, including lumbar, wood, porous concrete, vinyl siding, PVC, grout, tile, and fiberglass.
With a 10 month shelf life, a gallon of RMR-86 covers about 200 to 400 square feet.
Pros
- Cleans in 10 seconds
- No scrubbing or brushing required
- Suitable for most surfaces
Cons
- Strong odor
Wet & Forget Moss Mold Mildew & Algae Stain Remover
The Moss Mold Mildew & Algae Stain Remover by Wet & Forget goes head to head against RMR-86 Pro for the best value mold and mildew cleaner.
Similar to RMR-86, Wet & Forget also does not require power washing, or even rinsing.
Its one-step application is super easy: just apply with a pump-up garden sprayer and leave to dry.
This cleaner also works on a wide variety of exterior surfaces including vinyl and aluminum siding, concrete, fiberglass, asphalt, steel, and clay.
This non-caustic, non-acidic and bleach-free formula uses ammonium chloride to fight the toughest algae, lichen, moss, mold and mildew without harming or damaging your home’s exterior vinyl siding.
Wet & Forget is bio-degradable and safe to use around plants.
Remember though, it does need to be diluted before applying. Coverage ranges from 375-1125 square feet, depending on how porous the treated material is.
Pros
- Biodegradable
- Easy to use
- No scrubbing or power washing required
Cons
- Results are not instant
HomeGenerosity Reader Review
“A+. Just connect to your garden hose and spray on the mildewy spots. I haven’t compared it to anything else but it worked for me.”
Best Heavy Duty Mold and Mildew Cleaner
Sometimes the job requires the most powerful mold and mildew cleaner you can get your hands on.
When price and ease of use isn’t as important, these heavy-duty cleaners are your ace in the hold to get rid of the toughest fungus, algae, mold, and mildew stains on your house’s vinyl siding.
Mold Monster Mildew Remover
Mold Monster makes our list of the best heavy-duty mold and mildew cleaners for vinyl siding by delivering instant mold and mildew removal power.
Mold Monster’s professional-grade formula also prevents the growth of mold in the future, thanks to its anti-bacterial and antiseptic properties; destroying all kinds of bacteria, fungus and other microorganisms that allow mold growth due to moisture and humidity.
Mold Monster commercial strength is designed for mold emergencies, post-disaster cleanup after floods, storms, etc., so regular mold and mildew cleanup is a breeze.
This industrial-strength cleaner also does a good job of eradicating mold and mildew associated odors. All foul-smelling bacteria are broken down at the molecular level, so your home is stink free.
What we really like about Mold Monster is its non-toxic, non-flammable, and eco-friendly formula. It also contains tea tree oil that acts as a natural mold killer.
Pros
- Simple to apply
- Safe to use – no bleach or harmful chemicals
Cons
- Needs to be diluted before application
Scotts Plus Oxi Clean Outdoor Cleaner
Scotts Plus Oxi is a heavy-duty vinyl siding cleaner with oxi clean stain fighter which has a fast foaming action for quickly lifting away dirt, grime, mold, and mildew.
This versatile cleaner works well on all large outdoor surfaces including vinyl siding, brick, stone, cement, wood and composite, and patio furniture.
Moreover, the industrial-grade formula is bleach-free and non-toxic which is safe around grass, plants and even fabrics.
Unlike other mold cleaners, Scotts Plus Oxi Clean does not contain any chlorine or phosphates, so there is no fading.
We really like how this vinyl cleaner starts to work immediately when in contact with mold. Another plus is that there is no expiration date which means you can store and use it for many years.
The one downside is that with extra cleaning power comes the need for a pressure washer. The concentrated formula makes up to 25 gallons and will cover about 1000-2000 sq ft.
Pros
- Safe to use around plants
- No bleach or chlorine
- Easy to mix and apply
Cons
- Requires a power washer
Best Affordable Mold and Mildew Cleaner
If you are not ready to spend a lot of money but need to get rid of some mild mold and mildew, check out our list of the best affordable cleaners.
Mold Armor E-Z House Wash
Mold Armor is the best affordable mold cleaner that offers a great mix of price of quality.
The professional-grade formula is very easy to use and includes a hose-end sprayer.
All you have to do is to first attach the bottle to a pressure washer or hose and then spray on your siding’s mold and grime.
It contains biodegradable and bleach-free ingredients so that it doesn’t harm sensitive surfaces, plants, or your furry pals.
While being affordable, Mold Armor has all the qualities of more expensive mold cleaners.
Also, Mold Armor doesn’t require any scrubbing or rinsing.
A bottle cleans an area of 4,500 square feet in only 10 minutes.
Pros
- Affordable
- Biodegradable formula
- Quick acting
Cons
- Some users find the smell to be strong
What To Consider When Buying
There are many mold and mildew removal products for vinyl siding in the market that claim to be safe and kill mold in no time.
However, it’s important to do a little research. Low quality mold cleaners that contain bleach and toxic chemicals not only emit unpleasant fumes, but can also cause allergic reactions for you and damage to your vinyl siding.
To avoid this, consider these important factors when you choose the right mold and mildew cleaner for your home:
Ingredients
The first thing that you need to check is the product’s ingredients.
If you remember one thing, make sure to choose an outdoor mold and mildew cleaner that doesn’t react with PVC – which makes up your vinyl siding.
Avoid using cleaners that have petroleum ethers and solvents like tetrahydrofuran, benzene, and acetone, as they tend to harm vinyl siding causing yellowing, patchiness, and deformed surfaces.
Environmentally Friendly
Before you buy an outdoor cleaner, you need to consider your home’s surroundings, including trees, plants, flowers, grass, brick, and pavement.
Some of the mold cleaners are highly concentrated containing chlorine bleach, ammonium chloride, strong acids, and heavy metals that are efficient at removing mold but can cause harm to nearby grass and plants.
To keep plants safe from wilting and dying, look for mold and mildew cleaners that are eco-friendly, biodegradable, non-corrosive, and free from phosphates and sulfates. Also, they should include oxygenated bleach instead of chlorine bleach.
To maximize environmental safety, choose a cleaner that comes with an EPA Safer choice label which is an assurance that the formula is safe for you and the environment.
Application
You’re going to be applying the cleaner to your vinyl siding; you’re going to want something that is easy to apply.
There are 4 common methods to apply mold and mildew cleaner to vinyl siding:
- Pressure washer
- Garden hose
- Pump-up sprayer
- Manual brush
Obviously, using a power washer to clean the mold and mildew off of your vinyl siding is the most effective method. However, if you don’t have a power washer, or don’t want to spend the money to rent one, the cleaners that we reviewed above work great with only a garden hose or bucket of water and brush.
HomeGenerosity Editor Tip
“The side of my garage sits in the shade and recently built-up a nice layer of mildew. I don’t have a power washer so I bought a cleaner to use with a garden hose. I couldn’t believe how effective it was. My tip would be to start from the top and make sure first that your hose can spray high enough to reach the top of the mildew area.”
Stain Type
Not all vinyl siding stains are the same. Your siding can be stained by rust, pollen, soot, dust, dirt, debris, grease, grime, algae, lichen, fungus, mold, and mildew.
An outdoor cleaner that is designed for dust and dirt may not work to remove mold or other kinds of peskier stains.
As a result, identify your stain type and use the appropriate siding cleaner to save time and money.
Price
Cost is an important element of any item you buy; the same goes for buying mold and mildew cleaner for vinyl siding.
Make sure to select a cleaner that is economical and works effectively to remove all of your stains.
Also, don’t forget to check the square footage coverage. A cleaner may be cheap but may only cover a small area.
Stop Vinyl Siding Mold and Mildew Before It Starts
Mold and mildew are most likely to grow in humid and damp conditions. If you live in a humid climate, and your house is in the shade, it may not be possible to prevent all mold and mildew buildup.
However, regular cleanings will prevent the growth of damaging mold and mildew.
Your lungs will thank you, along with your home’s improved curb appeal and resale value.