If you’re the new sheriff out to clean up the town, there’s nothing to it if the town has maintenance-free vinyl siding. All such siding normally needs is a good rinse with a garden hose. But after a few years of wear and tear, you might have to work a mite harder.

The boys over at the Vinyl Siding Institute suggest using a soft cloth or a long-handled, soft-bristle brush. For tough stuff like stubborn dirt, use household cleaners such as Fantastic, Lestoil and Windex. For really tough stains like paint or tar, use mild abrasive cleaners like Ajax, Comet or Soft Scrub.

But be careful, partner; rub too hard or too much and you might scratch up the surface.