The answer is yes – you can power wash with just water! However, there are a few things that you need to keep in mind when doing this. In this blog post, we will discuss the pros and cons of power washing with water, and we will also give you some tips on how to do it correctly.
Some jobs do not require the usage of soap with your pressure washer. It is important to note that these will be less intense jobs that only require minimal intensity or work to remove stains or dirt. An example would be spraying down the balcony or patio to remove excess dirt and dust.
Pressure washing itself is safer than other forms of cleaning. Water itself, being a natural resource, is already safer than cleans that rely on chemicals. We also augment our pressure washing services with other techniques that improve the effectiveness of the clean while also helping to protect the environment.
But, according to the research, scrubbing your surfaces with water can do the job just as well. 'About 50 per cent of the ones on our test weren't noticeably different from plain water.
The easiest, and preferable, way to clean a deck without a pressure washer is to use a dish soap solution, which will freshen a deck and is strong enough to remove mild stains. Simply squeeze dish soap into a bucket and run some hot water over it. Then mop the solution on to the deck.
Method One: Hose Pipe
A hose pipe is a great low-cost and safe alternative to a pressure washer. Many homes have hose pipe attachments on the exterior, but if not, you can buy attachments to allow you to use a hose pipe from most sink taps.
The main difference is that power washing uses highly pressurized steam to do the cleaning while pressure washing just uses unheated tap water, without the help of a heating element.
Using just microfiber cloths or mop pads with water to clean can give your counters, glass, floors, and appliances a like-new appearance. It traps more dirt than you might think, all without chemical cleaning agents.
To keep it truly simple, just squirt dish soap into a bucket of warm water and mix thoroughly. For vinyl siding or painted homes, you can add vinegar for extra cleaning power.
Using Detergent Instead of Bleach
A detergent-based pressure wash is more environmentally-friendly than bleach as it is typically diluted to a 10:1 water-to-detergent ratio. This makes it less harsh on plants. Caution is required when using detergent as well.
A recipient of the Safer Choice label, Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner can be used in pressure washers and on all washable surfaces, and easily removes tough dirt and grime without the use of caustic chemicals.
There are several reasons not to put it in your pressure washing system: While bleach is effective in killing mold and mildew, it really is not the best solution for cleaning. Bleach can be used to prep for paint, but it will corrode hose nozzles and pump seals. It can essentially destroy your pressure washing system.
Pressure washers are powerful tools that can damage delicate surfaces like glass or stainless steel if you're not careful. Hotsy pressure washer detergent is specially formulated to be safe on all surfaces, so you don't have to worry about damaging your equipment.
It is safe to use on fiber cement, wood clapboard, and vinyl siding. In addition, you can use it on metal siding, which rusts with time. Pressure washing Tampa services can clean it without any damage using the lowest nozzle. For more problematic spaces, the professionals use concentrated blasts or clean flaking paint.
Never Use Bleach with Pressure Washers
But, when you see mold or mildew growing on your siding or walkway, don't even consider running bleach through your power washer. Bleach will corrode your pump's seals and essentially render the pressure washer useless.
Mix equal parts water and white vinegar in a bucket or spray bottle. Add a few drops of liquid dish soap for tougher stains. Apply the cleaning solution to the patio surface, either by spraying or using a brush. Allow the solution to sit for 10-15 minutes to break down dirt and stains.
Spray in The Correct Motion
If you're pressure washing a wall or siding, move the wand in short, downward motions, starting at the top. This will prevent dirty water from splattering upwards and ruining your hard work. Also, make sure not to direct the spray of the water on a single spot for too long.
In essence, water is put down, the dirty water is vacuumed and reused or discharge into a grassy area or flower bed. Typically, this is used when water cannot go down any stormwater drains to protect the environment. Think of wash water recovery as similar to how a shop vacuum works, only for water.
Water is a “Universal Solvent” and, as such, every technician should appreciate that water is essential to any cleaning process where a liquid is involved. This understanding allows the custodial team to solve cleaning problems in the most effective, and most environmentally-safe manner.
But often fabrics are labelled as dry-clean only because they have not been preshrunk by the manufacturer. If this is the case, contact with water might cause them to shrink dramatically. The DIA's Mark Ryan says you have to be particularly wary of this when a garment has lining.
Warm and cold water remove the same number of germs from your hands. The water helps create soap lather that removes germs from your skin when you wash your hands. Water itself does not usually kill germs; to kill germs, water would need to be hot enough to scald your hands.
The downside to using pressure washers is that they tend to cause damage to surfaces that are too delicate. In addition, the high pressure of the water spray can cause damage to surfaces you don't intend for it to reach, such as brick or stone surfaces.
Since power washing uses heated water, it requires more expensive equipment, meaning you'll pay more for power washing.