When it comes to pressure washer detergent, you don’t have a lot of choice on the market. On top of that, the limited options you have do different tasks. You can also expect some brands to be more effective and suitable at taking care of particular kinds of dirt than others. Meanwhile, some perform well when used on a certain type of pressure washer. Check out the best pressure washer soap list at https://cleanup.expert/best-pressure-washer-soap-and-detergent/ to give you a better idea.
Unfortunately, some soaps will do more harm to your equipment than good, not to mention hurt our environment. These harsh chemicals can destroy your beautiful garden, as well as contaminate waterways and streams nearby. They can even pose a risk to the health of your family and pets.
That’s why more and more homeowners these days are switching to eco-friendly, specialized off-the-shelf solutions. These are non-toxic, efficient at removing common stains like mildew and grime, and your pressure washer is at less risk of getting damaged.
Why Should I Use Homemade Pressure Washer Soap?
Without a doubt, pressure washers are very efficient at cleaning different surfaces. Nevertheless, combining it with a cleaning solution will make it easier for you to complete strenuous chores. It’s vital to choose the right equipment and detergent to get the result you want. But if you’re tight on budget, creating homemade pressure washer soap is the way to go.
Also, commercial detergents for these devices can be pretty expensive and harmful. Hence, making your own will not only save you money but will also be beneficial for the health of your plants and everyone at home, including your pets.
Common Household Items You Can Use As Homemade Pressure Washer Soap
You may be surprised by it, but there are many common items in your kitchen or available in the supermarket that you can use as pressure washer soap. These are quite convenient, especially if you’re tight on budget.
Vinegar
Not only will vinegar not harm your plants but it’s also safe for most things, aside from electronics, of course. It has the ability to eliminate mildew and mold but will not prevent them from coming back. Moreover, you can safely use it to clean your windows, ensuring that your pressure washer is set to the lowest pressure. Wipe down your windows afterward to prevent streaks.
Washing soda
Do not confuse washing soda with baking soda. They are two different things. Washing soda is a kind of salt that’s water-soluble. Once you dissolve it in water, you can use it to wash various types of surfaces.
However, washing soda can be hard to find in your local grocery store at times. Fortunately, making one at home is fairly simple. The main ingredient of this green pressure washer detergent is baking soda. Meanwhile, the tools you’ll need to make one are the following:
- Spoon or spatula
- Cookie sheet
- Oven
The steps in changing baking soda to washing soda are easy:
- Preheat the oven to 200C or 400F
- Spread a thin layer of baking soda on your cookie sheet
- Bake for around 30 minutes, stirring every 5 to 7 minutes
- Remove from the oven and let it cool completely
You’ll notice that the soda has changed into a more dull appearance. Also, it is drier, so it will not clump as much. The difference is subtle, and it will be more apparent if you compare it to baking soda.
Water
Often, using plain water with your pressure washer can do the trick. You don’t have to add any chemicals or soap at all. Keep in mind that these cleaning machines produce high pressure. And that alone is enough to eradicate grime and dirt. Hence, water is not only the safest but the cheapest option you have.
Homemade Green Detergent
You’ll have more control over the type of chemicals you are using if you’ll opt for homemade pressure washer detergents. One of the most effective and popular DIY solutions for pressure washers is a mixture of the following:
- 1 gallon of water
- 1/3 cup of laundry soap without phosphate
- 2/3 cup of powdered household cleaner
In a large bucket, simply stir the mixture slowly and make sure to avoid too many suds from forming. Using this mixture with your equipment frequently will keep your surfaces looking new again.
If you’re not a DIY-kind of person, you can find numerous products out there that are safe for the environment and your household. A lot of these green detergents are a combination of mild chemicals and soap. Hence, when they are mixed with water, they form a biodegradable substance.
Soaps in liquid and powder form that have varying formulations suitable for different surfaces are readily available in your local home improvement and gardening stores. You can employ these detergents with your cleaning device or apply them directly to grime. For more practical and powerful cleaning, apply your soap first on the surface you plan to tackle, let it sit for a few minutes, and then pressure wash it.
Can I Use Dish Soap To Pressure Wash?
There are plenty of debates whether dish soap is safe to use in a pressure washer or not. While you can use it, many do not recommend it. Before beginning with your task, make sure to check if the dish soap you have is suitable for cleaning since there are a ton of things that it’s not good for.
Furthermore, getting the proper dish soap to water ratio can be challenging. If you’re not careful, you may end up with a foam party in your backyard! So if you’re unsure, better stick with using the proper pressure washer detergent for the job.
