Top Things You Need to Know About Pressure Washing Chemicals
When you think of pressure washing, you likely think of water being sprayed from a machine under strong pressure. The force of the water helps to blast away dirt and grime. But many pressure washers also use soap and detergent to loosen really tough stains.
Soap and Detergent for Pressure Washing
Soap and detergent sound very similar. However, soap is a more natural product made from animal and plant products. Detergent is made from chemicals. Soaps often require softened water so that calcium deposits don’t get left behind after pressure washing. Detergents are safe to use with plain tap water that isn’t treated. We often use a combination of soap and detergent for the best results.
Are All Pressure Washing Chemicals the Same?
There are different types of soaps and detergents for different needs. Some basic soaps help with small cleaning projects, while really tough stains require stronger chemicals. When it comes to residential vs. commercial, the chemicals are all the same. We use the same products that you can pick up at your local hardware store. The difference is that we buy the cleaners in bulk and save a lot of money over buying individual bottles.
Examples of cleaners we use for pressure washing include:
- Ammonia – most often used for glass and stainless steel surfaces
- Bleach – Helps to sanitize and disinfect surfaces, killing mold and mildew
- Citric Acid – Helps to remove stains from concrete and wood
- Oxalic Acid – Gently removes rust
- Potassium Hydroxide – Added to soap so it liquifies
- Sodium Hydroxide – Great for degreasing surfaces
- Sodium Hypochlorite – Removes stains and disinfects
- Vinegar – Great for windows and surfaces without set-in stains
Are Pressure Washing Chemicals Safe?
Most of our cleaners are safe for use around kids and pets. If we need to use anything stronger we will talk to you about the potential risks. You may need to keep kids and pets out of your yard for 24 hours after cleaning until the surfaces dry completely.
We can talk to you about the specific chemicals we plan to use and whether or not they are biodegradable. We always try to use the safest cleaners first and save stronger pressure washing detergents for the really tough jobs. We can often allow a biodegradable cleaner time to sit and loosen grime before rinsing it away.
Our team may have to repeat the process a couple of times to get your surface completely clean. We know that patience is important when it comes to safely cleaning around your home. Stains often spend years setting in and need a little extra care during cleaning.
Can You Pressure Wash Without Chemicals?
Yes. However, the results of the service may not be what you expect. Cleaners help to loosen grime and destroy mold so they won’t come back. Without the help of chemicals, pressure washing may only remove surface stains. Detergents help with stains that set into grooves and crevices.
Rely On A Pressure Washing Expert To Make The Right Call
With over 10 years of experience, our pressure washing pros know the right balance of pressure and cleaning agent to use on just about any exterior surface. Including gutter brightening, roof cleaning, or any of our top pressure washing services - you can rely on us to use the appropriate balance of pressure and cleanser to provide the optimal clean for your property.