• Vinyl siding, like this, can become chalky if the wrong item is used to clean it.house siding 3 image by Psycience from Fotolia.com
  
  If you have vinyl siding and the outside of your house is looking a bit worse for wear, you can make your vinyl siding look fresh and new by giving it a good cleaning. Before cleaning any vinyl siding with a chemical or harsher cleaning product, read the manufacturer's instructions. Some chemicals and cleaning products can cause vinyl to break down or become chalky, damaging the siding on your home.
  
  

Power Washer

• For a quick clean, use a power washer to clean your vinyl. Begin at the bottom of your house and work toward the top. As you spray, make sure the pressure washer is pointed down, so the water hits the siding and slides down off each plank. Pointing the pressure washer up as you wash can cause water to get underneath the siding, which can damage your home. Use a pressure washer to clean your siding periodically once or twice a year to keep outside debris, such as dirt, from building up on the side of your home.
  
  

Soap and Water

• If a pressure washer doesn't seem to remove the dirt from your siding, use a simple mixture of soap and water. According to Tim Carter at Ask the Builder, a simple solution of water and hand dishwashing detergent can get rid of most heavy dirt buildup on siding. Mix a couple squirts of dishwashing liquid, approximately two tablespoons, in a bucket of water and mix it up. Then wash your siding. For faster application, use a garden sprayer to apply the soapy water to the siding. To keep from having soap dry on your siding, only apply the mixture in a shade spot, and always rinse before and after each application.
  
  

Vinegar and Water

• If you're looking for a green, eco-friendly way to clean your vinyl, try vinegar and water. A natural disinfectant, vinegar can help remove tough stains on vinyl siding. Add a cup or two of vinegar to a gallon of water, and apply the mixture with a garden-hose sprayer. Once the mixture has had a few minutes to soak, approximately 5 to 10 minutes, rinse it off with regular water. Always hold the sprayer so it sprays downward to avoid any water leaking under the siding.
  
  

Soft Bristle Brush

• For really tough stains, you can use a soft bristle brush in conjunction with vinegar and water, soap and water or a power pressure washer to scrub away hard-to-reach dirt and debris. Start off by scrubbing as gently as possible to avoid damaging your vinyl. Do not use a hard bristled brush. It can cause scratches in the vinyl if you scrub it too hard against the surface of the vinyl.