Do I Need To Clean My Soffits?

The short answer to the question, do I need to clean my soffits is yes, and no. Your soffits do need to be cleaned. However, you don’t need to clean them yourself. Our team of professional gutter cleaning and soffit cleaning specialists can clean your soffits for you.

Do I Need To Clean My Soffits?

If you’re wondering what a soffit is, before you even start wondering about if it needs cleaning, then we can help. The word ‘soffit’ comes from a French term meaning ‘something fixed underneath’. With the clue being in the name, that is exactly where your soffit can be found. The soffits are underneath your fascia. If you stand outside and look up at your house, you will see them there.

Plastic soffits

Most homes will have  plastic soffits and they will need cleaning. They collect dirt. This could be dirt from the rain or the wind. It could even be dirt from birds, or just full of cobwebs. The plastic used in soffits can be slightly porous. This means that is can stain. That is why it is so important that you keep on top of cleaning your soffits to avoid this staining or discolouring from dirt.

When it comes to cleaning your soffits yourself, this should be done when they become dirty. You will need to use  water and rinse the soffits with a hose. If you don’t have a hose, then you could use a bucket with hot water to rinse and soften the dirt off the soffits. It is possible to use a jet washer, but just be aware of the pressure you are using. It’s a good idea to wear rubber gloves and safety glasses when rinsing your soffits.

Rinse off

Once the loose dirt has been rinsed off, you need to clean the soffits. This can be done with any of the numerous  cleaning agents that are on the market. Take your time to read reviews and see which  cleaner other people recommend. If you can add the cleaning solution to a spraying device this will make things easier. However, if that isn’t possible you will need to use your bucket and a brush or sponge. When the soffits have been cleaned with the cleaning solution you will need to rinse your soffits with water again.

Next up, you will want your soffits to look sparkling clean. It is likely that you will still have a few marks or stubborn spots here and there. You can mix hot water and washing-up liquid together in a bucker and scrub the marks with a scrubbing brush to get the marks off. A good bit of elbow grease should get these stubborn marks shifted. You’ll then want to polish the soffits with a microfibre cloth to leave a nice shine.

Clean fascia, soffits, and gutters

Alternatively, if this all sounds a bit too much – why not call in our team of gutter cleaning specialists? We can clear out and clean your gutters, fascia’s and soffits and downpipes with ease. 

Missed our last blog? Read it here: What’s Lurking In Your Gutters?

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