Can Sodium Hypochlorite Ruin Vinyl Siding?

Vinyl

• Vinyl siding is made from a polymer called polyvinyl chloride or PVC, typically with a variety of additives for flexibility and color. The resulting material is relatively tough, but the surface finish may be more vulnerable. According to the Vinyl Siding Institute, you should never treat vinyl siding with undiluted bleach because it can damage the finish and the appearance of the product.

Cleaning

• You can use bleach to clean your vinyl siding as long as you dilute it first. Add a splash of bleach to a bucket of water. This diluted solution is unlikely to cause serious damage. However, be aware that sodium hypochlorite, even diluted in water, is potentially toxic to plants, so the bleach solution that washes off the siding could damage or even kill vegetation nearby. Moreover, in most cases bleach is not necessary for cleaning vinyl siding because there are other less toxic methods available.

Solutions

• Bear in mind that the bleach will not actually eat into the siding so much as it may discolor it. A soft cloth or a soft-bristled brush is a better way to remove dirt and grime. If your vinyl siding has a special textured surface, make sure you use a soft-bristled brush to avoid potential bleach stains. Power washers can be used under some circumstances, as long as you avoid spraying the undersides of the siding panels to prevent getting water trapped inside them. Some manufacturers caution against using pressure washers on their products, so you may want to check the manufacturer's recommendations for your siding.

Considerations

• The one case where bleach might be required for cleaning siding is if you have a mold or mildew problem. Another approach that runs no risk of damaging your siding is a vinegar and water solution or various household, water-based cleaners. Organic solvents, grease removers and furniture polish should not be used on vinyl siding.