How to Clean Painted Cedar Siding

When you paint cedar siding, you are protecting the wood. Weather conditions can damage the wood quickly if it does not receive the proper treatment. Sealing or painting cedar allows the wood to become long lasting by keeping the elements and insects at bay. Every six months to a year, you will need to clean painted cedar siding. As dirt and filth continue to linger, the paint wears thin. When you keep the paint clean, you can prolong a paint job for another year or two.

Hose end sprayer
Dish soap
Squeegee
Hose

Instructions

- 1
  Fill the hose end sprayer with 1 gallon of hot water and 3 cups of regular mild dish soap. Attach the sprayer to the hose by screwing it on. Flip the sprayer to the hose mist or light spray setting. The exact name of the setting may vary.
- 2
  Spray the painted cedar siding with water only. Use a mist or light spray because a strong spray can chip the paint. Remove the excess and loose grime and filth from the siding.
- 3
  Switch the nozzle to the cleaning mixture. Mist the cedar siding using a back-and-forth motion. Soak the entire area before letting it sit for roughly 12 minutes.
- 4
  Scrub the siding with a long-handled squeegee. Avoid using a bristle brush as this can scratch the painted surface. Scrub upward, starting at the bottom of the cedar siding. This prevents dirt from streaking downward on the siding. Remove as much filth as possible before continuing.
- 5
  Turn the hose end sprayer back to the light hose spray setting. Clean the soap and remaining grime off the siding. Stand roughly 4 feet away from the cedar while washing. Hold the hose in one spot for about 20 seconds before moving on to another part of the siding.

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