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How to Clean Board and Batten Siding: Step-by-Step Guide

Written by Ashlyn Needham , Edited by Gianna Cappuccio

Published on August 15, 2024

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How to Clean Board and Batten Siding: Step-by-Step Guide

Is your home siding looking dirty from a build-up of grime? Here’s a step-by-step guide for cleaning board-and-batten siding.

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If you’re looking for a beautiful, modern shake-up from the traditional horizontal siding, board and batten is the design you need. These gorgeous vertical planks elevate the aesthetics of your home’s exterior, but more than that, they are built with solid and durable materials.

Though they’re stunning to enhance your home’s curb appeal, they’re not invincible to dirt and grime. Over time, your board and batten siding will become visibly dingy from the build-up and require cleaning to restore the planks to their former bright glory. If you have these planks installed and are behind on routine maintenance, here’s your guide on cleaning board and batten siding step by step, depending on the dirt you’re fighting.

Hire a local professional to clean your board and batten siding

Basic board and batten siding maintenance

  • Only use a low-pressure pressure washer for vinyl siding board and batten.

  • Never use abrasive cleaners or those with harsh ingredients. 

  • Scrub the siding gently with a soft brush. 

  • Use a garden hose on low pressure to rinse off dirt and cleaner. 

What should I clean my siding with?

Materials

There are several materials and cleaning tools you can use to clean board and batten sidings of all materials. Those include:

  • Soft-bristled brush or sponge

  • Pressure washer (only on low pressure & vinyl siding)

  • Garden hose

  • Bucket (for mixing cleaning solution)

Cleaning solutions

The cleaning solutions you use on board and batten siding depend severely on the material your siding uses. Here’s what you can and cannot use for each siding option.

Wood

  • Never use chlorine bleach

  • Use water and mild detergent 

Vinyl

  • Never use a grease degreaser for this material

  • Use bleach, dish soap, degreaser/cleaner, or distilled vinegar

  • If on low setting, power washing is okay

Fiber Cement

  • Never use abrasive chemical products and cleaners

  • Use dish soap or mildew siding cleaner

How to clean algae, mildew, and mold off of board and batten siding

Grey board and batten siding on a residential homeHere’s how to clean board and batten siding correctly and deeply, depending on the grime you need to remove. 

Cleaning algae and grime build-up

To clean algae and grime off board-and-batten siding, start by rinsing the material with your garden hose. This will get the surface wet, remove dirt that’s loosely stuck on the material, and allow the cleaning material to be cleaned better.

After you’ve rinsed your home’s exterior, mix a cleaning solution of TSP or mild detergent and warm water in a bucket. Then, gently scrub the algae, grime, and dirt off the siding using a soft brush. 

Once all the sides have been scrubbed with the cleaner, use the garden hose once again to rinse off the cleaner, and you should have a fresh, newly brightened home siding!

Cleaning mold and mildew

If your home has a lot of moisture or you’ve allowed your siding to build up dirt and grime, it’s possible to have mold and mildew start to grow. The good news is that you can use various cleaning products to remove this unsightly growth.

If your board and batten is constructed of vinyl siding, you can use bleach, but that’s only for this material. You can use a mildew-specific cleaner or white distilled vinegar for other materials. 

To start, rinse your siding off with the garden hose. Then, choose your cleaner and make the solution based on the following:

  • One cup of bleach and one gallon of warm water

  • 70/30 mixture of warm water and white vinegar

  • For mildew-specific cleaners, mix according to package directions

After mixing your solution, use a soft brush to scrub the siding with the cleaning solution before using the garden hose to rinse it off. 

Cleaning oil and grease

Are you noticing smudges from grease and oil on your siding? Like the two other contaminants, they can easily be cleaned with a simple cleaning solution. The best cleaners for removing grease and oil on vinyl siding are an oil degreaser or mild detergent. Start by mixing either a gallon of water with a cup of oil degreaser or a gallon of water with two tablespoons of detergent. 

Like the other cleaners, rinse off your siding with your garden hose before cleaning it with your clean and a soft-bristled brush. Once the siding has been cleaned, rinse off the cleaner, and you’re good to go. 

DIY cleaning board and batten siding vs. hiring a pro

Cleaning board and batten yourself is a DIY project you can complete, but leaving the job to a professional reduces the risk of damaging your house siding material. These professionals know how to properly clean your home’s exterior so that the materials aren’t compromised, and your home’s outdoor aesthetics are left intact. Plus, professional home cleaners have commercial-grade materials and tools to give your siding a deeper cleaning.

Cleaning board and batten siding: the bottom line

To keep your home’s exterior clean and pristine, you must clean it frequently. To keep it dirt-free, you should try to deep clean your siding once a year or once it builds up. Cleaning board and batten is a fairly easy process that homeowners can do themselves, but you can hire a professional cleaner so you don’t damage your siding if you decide to use a pressure washer.

Find a local professional to make your board and batten siding look new

Frequently asked questions

While a mix of professionals say you should not pressure wash board and batten siding at all, others say it’s okay as long as it’s in a low-pressure setting. The main reason why there’s hesitancy in pressure washing the siding is that you risk damaging the material, chipping off the paint, and causing moisture buildup. If your board and batten is made out of vinyl siding, it’s generally okay to pressure wash for a deeper clean as long as you remember to use a low-pressure setting and stand at least three to four feet away from your house.

The best cleaner for cleaning the basic grime stuck on wood siding is usually soapy water mixed with TSP. If you need a tougher cleaning agent, add mild dishwashing, laundry detergent, or a cedar cleaning-specific cleaner from your nearby hardware store.

Board and batten siding has an average lifespan of 25 years, though this can increase depending on the material you choose. Most wood and vinyl siding will last this timeframe, but if you go with a more durable option like cement, it’s possible to see even longer usage.

Written by

Ashlyn Needham Content Specialist

Ashlyn is a freelance writer with 8 years of experience writing interior design, DIY, and renovation content. Her work has appeared in multiple publications including The Spruce, Southern Living, House Beautiful, Fixr, and more.