Consumer Tips

Q:  Last spring I sprayed a swarm of wasps with wasp-and-hornet spray.  The spray splattered on my house’s vinyl siding and badly stained it.  I have tried everything I can think of to remove the stain, to no avail.  Do you have any suggestions?   -Charles A. Anderson, Winchester, VA

A:  There are only a few things that can permanently stain vinyl siding.  Unfortunately, petroleum-based insect spray is one of them.  The spray’s petrochemicals react with vinyl, discoloring it.  I spoke with a manufacturer of vinyl siding, who said you might be able to lighten the stain by cleaning the area with a soft cloth dampened with naphtha or mineral spirits and rinsing it with water.  But he cautioned that sheen may be left on the area afterward.

Depending on the location of the discoloration, you might consider hiding the area with shrubbery.  Another option would be to replace that section of siding.  Fortunately, other stains can be readily removed with common household cleaners.

What types of cleaners should I use for other stains?
A list of commonly accepted cleaners is provided in the box below. Be sure to spot check any general or stain specific cleaner before using it on a large section of siding. After removing the stain, rinse thoroughly with water. Do not use cleaners containing organic solvents, undiluted chlorine bleach, liquid grease remover, nail polish remover, or furniture polish or cleaners. They can affect the surface of the siding.

The table below was prepared by the Vinyl Siding Institute, and it’s based on a study the organization conducted of household cleaners and the effect the cleaners had on the siding’s appearance after two years of outdoor exposure.

Vinyl Siding Cleaners
General cleaners (e.g., Simple Green®, Nice & Easy®, Armor All®, etc.) can be used to clean dirt, bird droppings, and spider webs. Stain-specific cleaners are listed below. Rinse all cleaners with water before they dry.
Stain	Cleaners*
Bubble Gum	Fantastik®, Murphy Oil Soap®, Windex®, solution of vinegar (30%) and water (70%)
Crayon	Lestoil®
DAP (oil-based caulk)	Fantastik®
Felt-tip Pen	Fantastik®, water-based cleaners
Grass	Fantastik®, Lysol®, Murphy Oil Soap®, Windex®
Lithium (car) grease	Fantastik®, Lestoil®, Murphy Oil Soap®, Windex®
Lipstick	Fantastik®, Murphy Oil Soap®
Mold and Mildew	Fantastik®, Windex®, solution of vinegar (30%) and water (70%)
Motor Oil	Fantastik®, Lysol®, Murphy Oil Soap®, Windex®
Paint	Brillo® Pad, Soft Scrub®
Pencil	Soft Scrub®
Rust	Fantastik®, Murphy Oil Soap®, Windex®
Tar	Soft Scrub®
Top soil	Fantastik®, Lestoil®, Murphy Oil Soap®
*Cleaning Materials are listed in alphabetical order. *VSI does not endorse products or processes and makes no warranties for the products referenced herein. Reference to proprietary names is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to imply that there are not equally effective alternatives.

For more information, contact the Vinyl Siding Institute at www.vinylsiding.org.