How would you clean this soffit vent?

[Brett S]

So while I was installing my fancy new outdoor speaker I discovered that the soffit vents are very dirty. And of course, now that I’ve seen it I can no longer unsee it, so I’d like to figure out a good way to clean them.

My first thought was a pressure washer, but I have two concerns with that. First, I don’t own a pressure washer. And second, I’m afraid that it would spray too much water into the attic while I was pressure washing.

I’m kinda thinking that I might just need a bucket of soapy water and a rag or a brush. Any other ideas?

 

[djdonte]

Compressed air, or a brush with soapy water should be fine. Honestly I wouldn't worry about giving it a quick once over with a pressure washer either.

 

[djdonte]

Actually your whole soffit could use a cleaning... once you make one clean spot you know what happens. You can rent a pressure washer for 40 bucks at most hardware stores.

 

[Texas Splash]

Yeah, I was thinking real no hard pressure or you may just push it upwards or dislodge the soffit a bit if it had a weak fastener. There are light pressure sprayers, like the kind designed for windows, and you could use a pre-made cleaner or pre-mix your own solution. Carefully brush to agitate a bit if needed. Spray at an angle though and not directly upwards which may go into the attic.

 

[djdonte]

I like the cleaner idea.. a ecofriendly and non toxic cleaner like simple green may work really good as a presoak.

 

[Katodude]

If you wear some eye protection you might want to add a little bleach to the soapy water. There might a little mold there too. But you need to be careful.

 

[Brett S]

Well, I finally broke down and got a ladder, some warm soapy water with some bleach, and a brush. I spent a couple of hours cleaning the soffit all along the back of the house. It’s old and some of the stains just didn’t come off at all, but it’s improved enough that it no longer bothers me when I’m in the pool.

 

[Texas Splash]

Nice!