Cleaning the “tiger stripes” on aluminum gutters can be a pain in the neck.
The best way to remove tiger stripes from your gutters is to use a non-abrasive household detergent cleaner.
Additionally, there are a number of gutter cleaning products readily available at a home improvement or hardware store.
Some popular brands are:
- gutter Zap Cleaner
- Gutter Brite
- Streak Getter
- and KRUD KUTTER
Cleaning Tigers Stripes On Aluminum Gutters – Preparation
In some climates, it is possible that mildew could be found in the tiger stripes.
If this is the case, a solution may be made from 12 parts Clorox Ultra Bleach, one-part laundry detergent, 36 parts water, and two parts trisodium phosphate.
When making this solution, always wear eye protection, gloves, and appropriate clothing and make sure to rinse out the gutters well after cleaning them out.
| Tiger Stripes | |
|---|---|
| Cleaning gutter stripes in their early stages | Using a garden hose, spray the stripes with a strong stream of water. Wipe down the surface with a damp cloth or sponge. |
| Cleaning slightly tougher tiger stripes | Add a household cleaner or dishwasher detergent to the water and scrub the gutters. Rinse and wipe down |
| Cleaning stubborn tiger stripes | Use a specialized gutter cleaning product for tougher tiger stripes. Follow directions on the product label. |
What You Need
- Soft rag
- Sponge
- Soft bristle brush
- Ladder
- Goggles
- Protective clothing
- Rubber gloves
- Bucket
- Hose connected to a tap or other water outlet
Steps To Clean Tiger Stripes On Aluminum Gutters
1. Wear Your Protective Gear
Prior to handling any chemicals, you should already be wearing the protective clothing discussed above.
You may also need a hardhat for your head. It will protect you from objects on the roof falling onto your head.
You should wear rubber gloves that are also intended for chemical handling.
Otherwise, the chemicals will soak through the gloves and continue to damage you.
2. Prepare The Cleaning Product
For this, you only need a high-quality tiger stripe remover.
It is superior because it is specifically designed to break that bond, and remove those stripes.
Prepare it as you need. Some need to be diluted, others can be put on straight.
So make sure you read the directions carefully!
3. Apply Your Remover
The procedure for to applying each chemical ans indicated on the packaging is different.
You can spray the chemicals, brush them on, or pour them on the gutter.
You do need to pour water on the surface before applying the cleaning product to the dark tiger strides.
When the strides are pretty dark, apply a thick layer making sure to coat all areas .
The application should be even in all areas where you want to eliminate the stripes,
Keep in Mind: Whether the tiger stripes are really tough or not, do not use abrasive cleaners that contain ammonia or are used as pain relievers. These cleaners are capable of damaging the finishing on the gutters.
4. Soak
Once the remover has fully covered the gutter, look at the label to find how long it should sit before scrubbing or rinsing.
Some chemicals need to sit for 5 minutes, while others need to sit for 15 minutes.
Conversely, some products don’t need to be scrubbed or rinsed.
5. Scrub
If you find that the remover isn’t taking off all the dirt, and you need to work a little harder, then scrubbing is a good option.
Grab your brush and, while taking your time, scrub all the significant areas to ensure there isn’t debris left. Scrubbing varies in the amount of effort based on how big of stains there were. However, many times you won’t put in too much effort as it is not needed most of the time.
If the area to be cleaned visually does not look clean, apply more chemicals, and scrub until you have a clean gutter.
Be careful! Do not apply any abrasive scrubbing brushes because that could damage the finish on your gutters.
6. Rinse
After you have scrubbed your decks, wash away any residue from the cleaning products and flush the gutters with running water.
If you cannot get a hose to the gutters, you can use a pail instead.
The best way to do this is to use a light brushing motion. Repeat this until the gutters are free from stains and no more tiger stripes are left.
Do not forget to rinse the areas underneath the roof overhangs from the cleaning products so that residue is not left.
Cleaning product residue can also cause long-term issues to your concrete and tiles, especially if the product contained bleach.
Best Products For Cleaning Tigers Stripes On Aluminum Gutters
Tiger stripes result from the electrostatic bond of tar and asphalt from roofing materials and other contaminants to painted surfaces and aluminum.
These stripes are not stains, but rather molecules of one material bonded to molecules of another.
So, for a product to be effective, it has to break this chemical bond. Some everyday products that can do this include;
Streak Getter
To use:
- Using a soft brush, gently scrub heavy soiling. This product is temperature-sensitive and will not work if the temperature is below 70 degrees. The product will work better if the temperature outdoors is warm.
- The proper way to use this product is to mix 1 part with 2 parts water.
- Wet the surface and adjacent surfaces before applying the product.
- Spray the product on, wait a few seconds, then wipe the surface with a damp cloth or rinse off with clean water.
- 1 gallon of concentrated Streak Getter will clean up to 3600 feet of gutter.
- Do not use concentrated Streak Getter on gutters without diluting it according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
- Brush if necessary.
- Rinse cleaner off immediately with water.
- Do NOT allow cleaner to dry on surfaces.
Gutter Brite
To use:
- This item is a year-round product; it works best when the temperature is over 50. The warmer it is, the better.
- You can clean up to 3,000 linear feet of gutters with one gallon of super concentrate, depending on how bad the stripes are.
- Prior to usage, dilute 1 part gutter brite with 2 parts water.
- You can use the mixed product in a spray bottle, pump-up garden sprayer, etc.
- Once you have diluted, spray.
- Let it sit for up to 5 minutes.
- Scrub with a brush or rag.
- Rinsing can be done using a garden hose with a pressure nozzle or a pressure washer wand (we recommend the Bosch Universal Aquatak 135, although it’s not necessary).
- Repeat if necessary.
Gutter Zap Gutter Cleaner
To use:
- Prior to use, test for colorfastness in a hidden area, and ensure gutters are free of mold or mildew inclusively check for oxidation on gutters as well,
- Cover surrounding areas that may be affected by overspray.
- Do not use cleaner without diluting. Fill an empty one-gallon container halfway with water and add 5 ounces of Super Concentrated Gutter Zap for lightly stained gutters or use up to 10 ounces for heavily stained gutters.
- Apply product in 10-foot sections and rinse thoroughly as you go.
- The best way to apply this product is with a standard pump-up sprayer, or you can pour the mixture into any type of container such as a 5-gallon pail and dip a Marxoff applicator or a soft-bristled brush on an extendable pole into the mixture and then apply the mixture to the gutter.
- Do not allow this product to dry on any surface, including glass.
- This product works best at temperatures above 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
KRUD KUTTER Gc32 Gutter Cleaner
To use:
- The Krud Kutter offers an inventive way to clean gutters while staying on the ground. There’s no need for a ladder, no special tools, or scrubbing.
- Simply attach to your garden hose.
- Turn on the water. Then turn the nozzle to “rinse” so you can spray adjacent surfaces and vegetation.
- Turn the dial to “clean” and spray the K’rud Kutter gutter wash directly onto gutters.
- Let it soak for about 5 minutes. Turn the dial back to “rinse” and spray the gutters, adjacent surfaces and vegetation.
How To Prevent Tiger Stripes On Your Gutters
The best way to deal with tiger stripes on gutters is to take preventative measures.
Here are some tips that might help:
- Check that your gutters are in good working condition– Any dents, cracks, or misaligned pieces can cause excess or leaky water to carry debris, and possible streams ideal for tiger stripes.
- Regular gutter maintainance– Regularly cleaning and maintaining your gutters will prevent them from backing up and will keep the water flowing naturally. Don’t let your gutters become too clogged, or you will be seeing tiger stripes.
- Regularly clean your gutters– If your gutters have started looking dirty or you are seeing the beginnings of stripes appearing, go ahead! You can use the garden hose and spray them out. Water pressure should be sufficient.
- Install gutter guards– Gutter guards are designed to keep your gutters free from debris. Gutter guards also improve the flow of the water throughout the entire gutter system.
Final Thoughts
Though you may want to grab a metal scrub and scrub away those tiger stripes, do not go too far.
Harsh chemicals or too much abrasion will remove or weaken the finish on aluminum gutters, reducing the lifespan of the aluminum gutter system and requiring replacement sooner than necessary.
Use softer sponges, rags, or use a low-pressure spray setting.