The Best Roof Cleaners in Review for 2022

As a homeowner, I focus on what I can see at eye level, entirely forgetting about the roof. It’s not until the dark streaks and moss patches show up that I realize it’s been neglected.

If you are like me, don’t worry, that roof can be saved, just set aside some time, arm yourself with the best roof cleaner, and set to work. A bit of scrubbing, perhaps with the help of a pressure washer and the right roof cleaning process, and your roof will be looking fresh and renewed in no time.

This is the same if your house roof is affected by rust stains, mold, and mildew.

Keeping up on maintenance is important; if left unchecked, lichen and fungi can build up and could end up causing damaging the roof plus, the longer you leave it, the more challenging cleaning the roof will become

Thankfully performing a roof wash with one of these top-rated roof cleaning products will take no time at all, taking a dirty roof to a clean one in no time. I can prevent a leaking roof as any issues are found during the cleaning process.

I’ll share my cleaning tips, my process for removing stains, and my choice of the best roof cleaner.

The Best Roof Cleaners: Top Picks

In a hurry! Then here are our top 6 best roof cleaners for you.

1. strongBest Overall and for Moss, Mold & Mildew/strong – Wet and Forget 10587 1 Gallon
2. strongBEST RV Roof Cleaner/strong – RV Rubber Roof Treatment
3. strongBest For Asphalt Shingles/strong – Spray & Forget Roof Cleaner 
4. strongBest Rubber Roof Cleaner/strong – Camco 41063 Rubber Roof Cleaner 
5. strongBest Pressure/strong – Oxy Solve Total outdoor pressure washer cleaner
6. strongBest Eco-Friendly Roof Cleaner/strong – Simple Green Industrial Cleaner/Degreaser

Best Roof Cleaning Products 2022: Review

The quicker you get your roof clean, the better right? We only have so much free time, and I know I don’t want to spend all of it cleaning the roof.

This one-step process will remove roof buildup and reactivates washing contaminants from the surface each time it rains. This is a bleach-free, non-caustic, non-acidic, and chemical-based formula. Perfect for use on your roof and almost any other outdoor surface.

Just spray it onto your roof and only reapply if you see new growth of stains.

This concentrate comes in 1-gallon bottles that you need to dilute, but yikes, does it dilute! 1 gallon can make 6 gallons of cleaner. It’ll vary on how strong you mix it and how far it’ll go, it will come down to how porous your roofing material is, but you can cover anywhere from 750 to 2250 square feet with a single bottle.

Pros

• Simple one-step process
• Covers a large area
• Bleach-free formula
• Versatile- can be used on siding, brick, concrete, roofs, and, aluminum among others

Cons

• Will kill any plants or grass it contacts

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If you are looking for versatility, performance, safety, and convenience.

These are just a few of the attributes that make this cleaner perfect for cleaning rubber roofs, the types of roofs found on RVs, which is kind of a giveaway with its name “RV Rubber Roof Treatment”.

If you need a roof cleaner that contains powerful active ingredients, which will dissolve dust, chalk, and decaying bugs and insects, leaves, mold, and mildew, as well as any grime that’s built up on your roof, while also being safe for rubber roofs regardless of whether or not it’s a house or an RV.

Then this is the cleaner for you.

The formulation of this cleaner actually coats your roof in a tough polymer that contains anti-static properties. This helps to prevent grime from sticking to the roof surfaces. It also reduces the powder chalk, which causes those grey streaks on rooftops.

For me, the best thing about this cleaner is that it’s just so convenient. You don’t need to do any form of scrubbing, just spray the solution on, mop it around a bit to ensure even coverage, and then leave the cleaner to it. There isn’t even a need to rinse!

Unlike rooftops made from clay and aluminum, rubber roofs are much more sensitive to chemicals. They can easily get damaged if harsh chemicals are used. For this reason, I suggest a gentler cleaner like this rubber roof treatment.

This is a non-abrasive cleaning solution that doesn’t contain those harsh chemicals and, importantly, doesn’t contain petroleum which can break down the rubber.

This is also an environmentally friendly product, which is great as it won’t kill plants or hurt the environment.

This is also a budget-friendly, economical cleaner. This cleaner can handle up to 100 square feet of your EPDM roof from a single gallon.

If all that wasn’t enough, this product also protects your roof from UV light, preventing fading and reducing maintenance by a large chunk.

Pros

• Powerful and effective formula
• Easily covers large areas
• Environment-friendly
• No rinsing or scrubbing required
• Protects against UV light

Cons

• A bit costly

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My weekends are sacred, so when I look to purchase a roof cleaning product, I want one that is incredibly effective while also not being too harsh. I can’t be alone in this as it seems many people are looking for cleaners that are free from harmful chemicals used in roof cleaning, such as heavy metals and acids.

I also like affordable, high-quality products; who doesn’t?

If you are like me, then I highly suggest this Spray & Forget roof cleaner. It’s perfect for roof cleaning that doesn’t require a lot of effort.

It’s one of those roof cleaning products designed to save you time and money. This is a concentrated cleaning solution. This roof cleaning product comes in a one-gallon bottle, which you can dilute up to 10 gallons; that’s enough roof cleaning product to clean around 2000 square feet. Talk about economical!

You control the dilution ratio, so whether you are just doing some maintenance roof cleaning or using your roof cleaning products as a mildew stain remover, it all comes down to how strong you dilute it.

This is one of those roof cleaning products that is powerful enough when you need it to be and good on the wallet when you want to do some light cleaning. Because you control its strength, you can use it on a wide range of roof shingles. You can use it on a slate, wood, and even asphalt shingles. It’s also fine on clay and tile roofs.

When you come to do a roof wash, this is one of those easy-to-use roof cleaning products. It only requires a spray application, there’s no need to agitate with a brush and no rinsing, very much an easy roof wash, with a spray and forget.

Just dilute the solution before you get into the rainy season, spray it on. It’ll disintegrate and dirt on the roof, and every time it rains, it’ll reactivate and keep your roof cleaned until you need to reapply.

So if you are looking for a roof cleaning process that’s eco-friendly, a roof wash classed as a non-corrosive roof cleaner and can be used on various surfaces, then this is the solution for you. This roof wash doesn’t contain any heavy metals, phosphates, bleaches, acids, or any other chemicals which can be considered harmful to the environment.

Pros

• Incredibly versatile-can be used on a wide range of roofing materials
• Convenient-Doesn’t require scrubbing or rinsing
• Economical
• Eco-friendly

Cons

• May need multiple applications, depending on the weather and the condition of the roof
• Results are not that fast

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This is another roof wash that is designed for rubber roofs. Your RV’s roof lifespan is around 10-12 years. But that can be extended just by taking good care of it. How do you achieve that? Well, by using a product such as Camco Rubber Roof Cleaner.

This is a professional strength cleaner, which is perfect for removing road grime and that evil tree sap. You get a 320z bottle which is the right amount for treating any travel trailer or RV. This roof wash will even remove those black streaks that can develop over the years from black algae and other contaminants.

So how does this roof wash achieve this? Well, it contains a strong formulation of conditioners and surfactants. This is the type of product that will penetrate into the deepest layers and smoothen out the top layers by conditioning the surface.

You do need to carefully follow the instructions provided to get the best results.

For beginners, wash the RV roof with water to loosen and remove dirt. Then mix the cleaning solution with water and simply spray it directly onto the surface.

This should be followed by rinsing the roof using water and wiping it off using a microfiber cloth.

You should never let the roof dry without rinsing first since it can stain the surface.

Pros

• Prolongs your roof’s lifespan
• Straightforward application process
• Available in a 32 oz. bottle
• Cleans and conditions the roof
• Not harmful to plants or grass if spilled accidentally.

Cons

• You’ve to scrub harder to remove stubborn stains

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I love the naming of this product; I feel like it’s trying to convince me that it’s the best product for cleaning and extending the life of my rubber roof.

This product will help you if you are struggling with mold and mildew, fungus, and any other standard grime.

BEST rubber roof cleaner will remove these with ease. It also inhibits their growth for around 6 months. Giving you back time on your weekends.

This is a non-petroleum formulation that comes in a 48 oz. bottle. This formula has enough strength for cleaning streaks, rust, and other strains on rubber roofing. It works perfectly for both RV roods and EPDM house roofs.

This will not deteriorate your rubber roof, so you can wash safe in the knowledge that you are cleaning without causing damage; this is thanks to the lack of petroleum products that can degrade rubber.

This BEST roof cleaner is much more than just a roof cleaning solution. Its formula has been designed not just clean but to also condition and moisturize, as well as preserve your EPDM roof. Plus, as an added bonus, it will enhance the appearance of your roof.

I love how easy this is to use. You only need to spray it onto the roof’s surface; there’s no need to scrub; just let it dwell for a few minutes, then rinse it off.

There is a limitation, you can’t let it dry, and it dries quickly; I suggest you work in small areas.

Pros

• Effective for around 6 months
• Moisturizing properties
• Free from petroleum
• Prevents and removes oxidation

Cons

• Dries quickly

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If you are looking for the best bang for your buck, then look no further. This is a heavy-duty cleaner which has value written all over it.

You get a two-pack of product, each jug containing 64 fluid ounces.

It can’t get any easier to use this product either, as it comes with built-in hose attachments so that you can stand at a distance and spray your entire roof. I do love a simple solution.

Thanks to the hose attachment, reaching second-floor roofs is easy, and the solution will start killing mold and mildew within 10 minutes of application.

There’s no need to follow up with scrubbing either. It’s sprayed on, left for 10 minutes, then rinsed off with the same hose (minus the bottle attachment)

Pros

• Versatile- works on a wide range of surfaces
• Easy to apply
• great value for the money

Cons

• Rinsing is needed

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Things to Consider Before Buying the Best Roof Cleaner

In this section, we’ll go over the most important considerations that you should keep in mind when you’re shopping for the best roof cleaner for your home. I’ll cover the types of cleaners, different types of roofing materials, how much coverage you’ll get, and how easy the products are to use.

When it comes to roof types, those of your who are looking for the best roof cleaner for RVs will need to pay special attention.

Type of roof material

The first thing you should consider when looking at roof cleaning products is what materials make up your roof. The outdoor surface will dictate somewhat what product you can or rather should use.

Less durable materials like vinyl and rubber membranes that are found on flat roofs or RVs don’t do well with the harsh chemicals that can be used in the roof cleaning process. These heavy-duty cleaners can wear through the roofing components, so an eco-friendly roof cleaner is a better choice. Paired with a pressure washer for some light pressure washing and you’ll get the same results as the harsh chemicals.

Tougher materials like asphalt, metal, slate, or concrete roofs can take much stronger chemicals. You’ll be able to use bleach, chemical-based cleaners, and other roof cleaning products without worrying about the effect they’ll have on your roof.

Different Types of Roof Cleaners

Before you rush out and set up your ladder, you first need to find the right type of roof cleaner. Each one works a little differently, some being harsher on the environment than others. There are 3 common types of roof cleaning solutions. Before you settle on a certain product, you need to first consider which one is safe and appropriate for your roof.

Bleach-Based (Harsh Cleaners)

The only real way of removing stains, especially those tough stains, is to use bleach-based cleaners. They use stronger chemicals. I would call them a heavy-duty cleaner that doesn’t require much, if any, scrubbing. Some don’t even need to be rinsed.

You just apply these sodium hydroxide cleaners to the roof, let them dry, and the bleach-based formula will take care of the dirt and grime all on its own. It typically lasts several weeks.

Most homeowners will see instant results when using bleach-based cleaning solutions. These sodium hypochlorite solutions aren’t as wash-safe as other options but are very effective against mold and mildew and will remove any stains caused by them, usually from a single application.

But even in the pursuit of a clean roof, we need to consider the important factors of what we use; this is not an eco-friendly option. Bleach-based cleaning solutions are extremely harsh. It’s not good to breach in the vapors or to leave overspray (including runoff) unchecked as they can destroy plants, grass, and more.

If you have bad staining, then these fall into my cleaning tips as a go-to. Hydrogen peroxide based cleaners are great for mildew stains, using a cleaning which contains hydrogen peroxide, well they will remove any staining on exterior surfaces, even black algae. But I suggest you also leave your windows closed for a few days after application to avoid the fumes and odors.

Chemical-Based

Bleach isn’t the only chemical that manufacturers have in their arsenal to restore your roof to its former glory.

Some bleach-free formulas feature ammonia, copper sulfate, and trisodium phosphate. These all do an excellent job of removing stains caused by molds and mosses, which love to grow on roofs.

Again, these formulas can be harsh on your plants, though to a much lesser degree when compared to bleach-based cleaners. These rarely require a homeowner to scrub or even apply a second application, thanks to their concentrated formulas.

These usually come in concentrates, so you’ll want to dilute them in water unless you need to tackle really stubborn stains.

Just simply spray on, and while chemical-based cleaners aren’t the most eco-friendly ingredients, you can use them and not have to keep your windows closed for days.

So if you want something less damaging to the environment, then chemical-based cleaners might just be for you.

Eco-Friendly 

If you are looking for a safer, non-acidic, non-caustic cleaner that still delivers impressive results, then eco-friendly roof cleaners might just be for you.

Their formulas break down the dirt, algae, and mold on your roof without the various damages that can come with chemical and clean compounds.

Eco-friendly cleaning solutions are safe for your kids, plants, pets, and wildlife that might roam through your property. It is possible to have an allergic reaction to these products, so I always recommend as one of my cleaning tips that you wear the right protective clothing; these are still considered generally safe.

Eco-friendly cleaners often use oxygen to break down dirt, and those roof-loving molds and algae, tend to work best when combined with some agitation, though mild mold/mildew may not require any scrubbing.

Another cleaning tip is to keep a long-handled brush at hand for any scrubbing.

Pressure Cleaner

Scrubbing can take a lot of effort and time, so sometimes, it makes a lot of sense just to blast your roof clean. Just set up your pressure washer and have at it. If you don’t have a pressure washer, it has a pump that increases the pressure of the water that comes out of your hose pipe, giving water alone enough punch to knock dirt and grime clear off of your roof’s shingles.

Pressure washers can also blast off your roof shingles, so you do need to be careful if you are spraying your roof.

If you want to increase your pressure washer’s effectiveness, then I highly suggest one of the many products that you can mix into the water, which will kill off any residual moss and algae. Water alone won’t kill it off.

Coverage

Not all roof cleaners offer the same amount of square footage per bottle. So it’s important to understand how much roof a bottle or jug can handle. Especially if you are on a budget.

You will need to know the rough size of your roof. Simply multiple each section of the width of your roof by its height, tally up each of those sections. The number you get after you’ve added these up is your square footage.

I find that some of the best roof cleaners are also the best budget roof cleaners in that they come in concentrated solutions that you need to dilute. These will give you much more coverage than a premade bottle for a similar, if not cheaper, price per bottle.

Ease of use/user-friendliness

If you’ve not done this, then I hate to break it to you but, cleaning your roof isn’t fun, so you really want to make it as painless as possible. So finding a user-friendly product does make the difference.

A chemical that you can just spray onto your roof and forget, leaving it to work is by far the easiest way to clean your roof. Chemicals that require scrubbing can be a challenge, especially for those of you with high roofs.

Also, take into consideration that application, on the face of it, spray bottles are easy to use, but using them to cover large areas.. not so much. They are ideal for smaller roofs, but when you get to the larger roofs, then I highly suggest concentrate bottles that can be attached to an end of a hose, there are many eco-friendly cleaner types that work this way, and it makes it easy to reach those hard to each black stains.

I’m a huge fan of concentrate’s that work with hoses or with your pressure washer; it means you can do the majority of the job from the ground, without the need for a ladder, reducing injury risk.

Effectiveness

Ultimately, when it comes down to it, it really is about how well the product works are cleaning and removing stains, mold, algae, and discoloration.

The more effective the product, the fewer coats you’ll need to apply and also the less often you’ll need to apply it.

Less effective products don’t always cause the root cause of any discoloration; even if the stain is gone, the root cause is still hidden, waiting for another shot. This means it will come back and you’ll have to apply more product.

Harsh chemicals are by far the most effective option and often take one application. Eco-friendly cleaners might require multiple uses or frequent cleanings, though they can usually be used on other surfaces such as wood shingles should you need to clean some.

The eco-friendly option is usually wash safe, and while they may need multiple applications, they will kill off mold and mildew and will give you a clean roof. Being non-corrosive, they just can’t as effective at cleaning exterior surfaces but are typically better for painted surfaces and won’t risk a leaking roof from corrosive chemicals.

One of my cleaning tips is to use a bleach-free cleaner and to keep on top of mildew stains, to perform a roof wash every few months. that way, tough stains don’t build up, and your dirty roof, well it won’t be. Roof cleaning can be easy; just do it frequently; you’ll spot any early signs of a leaking roof, catch any black algae and get to use the eco-friendly option with little to no effort.

Frequently Answer Questions

How do I get black streaks off my roof?

The easiest option is a roof cleaning solution that contains bleach. This will remove the black algae and any stains caused by it.

Can dirt and mold harm my roof?

Grime and biological organisms that grow on your roof can damage it. They can penetrate into your roof then freeze in winter, which causes cracks and a leaking roof.

These are considered the main causes of roof surface deterioration and, over time, will make your roof weaker.

Can I use water and soap to clean my roof?

Yes, you can! It’ll be hard work if you are roof cleaning that way, and I suggest a brush as well to tackle the algae and moss, but it’s possible to use just soap and water. It can also act as a mild stain remover.

Should I pressure wash my roof?

You need to be careful, it’s possible to pressure wash your roof, and I typically suggest getting a professional in for that, but it is possible. Take care and attention, though, as the pressure from pressure washing can cause damage to your roof tiles, but it is an effective way to clean algae and grime from your roof.

What’s the best way to clean my roof?

I highly suggest using a chemical roof cleaner. This will kill any algae, mold, and mildew. It’ll lift dirt and deal with the toughest stains.

Though they can cause damage to wildlife and plants around your home. So caution is advised.

There any many products on that market today, many listed here, which will ensure an effective and safe cleaning solution for cleaning your roof.

Final Words

If you are after an all-around cleaning solution, then I highly recommend Wet and Forget Moss, Mold, and mildew stain remover. It covers everything, is easy to apply, and requires no scrubbing.

IF you are concerned about harsh chemicals, then I suggest you look at Simple Green Industrial Cleaner/Degreaser, which has a very nice fresh and pleasant odor while being non-toxic and biodegradable.

I’ve listed the best roof cleaners you can buy and what to look for. Hopefully, you’ll have found the right option for your exterior surfaces, each of these products will keep your roof clean and protected.