You don't have to use a detergent when power washing patio slabs, but you may find it breeds cleaner results when cleaning your decking or patio. Some manufacturers recommend specialist soap or detergent and the machines are fitted with a designated detergent chamber.
If you're looking to eliminate dirt or dust buildup on your patio or balcony, pressure washer soap is not required. It can still be used if you'd prefer, but it won't be the end of all days if you don't use it.
Pressure washing without detergent is like showering without soap. Sure, water and scrubbing will get the job done, but it's not the same without soap! Use Different Nozzle Tips for Different Projects- Most residential pressure washers come with 3-5 different nozzle tips for various projects.
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.
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.
When pressure washing alone doesn't do the trick, detergents make it twice as easy to remove tough dirt and stains. Detergents and soaps will work the tough stuff loose so your pressure washer can clear everything away for a clean, new look.
1. Best Overall Concrete Cleaner—ZEP Purple Pressure Wash. Zep concrete cleaner has several great products, and the ZEP Purple Pressure Wash outdoor cleaner is no exception. This alkaline cleaner is low foaming and easy to rinse from the concrete surface.
While pressurized water can be enough to clean your driveway, cleaning agents such as soap or detergent help loosen up all the dirt, grime, and grease. They're also great for targeting stubborn stains. Choose a cleaning agent that is specifically made for your driveway pressure washer.
Use a mild grease-cutting detergent such as Dawn or Ajax dishwashing liquid mixed with water and a natural or synthetic bristle scrub brush to help brighten the patio surface. NOTE: Never use a wire brush as it can leave rust stains and scratch the concrete surface.
After the concrete has dried for at least 24 hours, you can effectively apply a concrete sealer. A sealer helps prevent future stains and potential damage from products like ice salts.
You can clean wood and concrete patios and pavers with minor stains with a simple solution of dish soap and water. However, you can use a 50:50 vinegar and water solution to clean more intense surface stains (but use more vinegar if your patio has more difficult stains to scrub).
There have been many instances when people have tried to use Dawn dish soap or laundry detergent to create their own pressure washer soap. Although it is possible to use the two in your pressure washer, you risk clogging it if you don't dilute them.
Simple Green's line of Oxy Solve products are Safer Choice certified and specifically designed for pressure washing without damaging surfaces or the environment. Each product in the Oxy Solve line is specialized for different surfaces: Learn more about Simple Green's Safer Choice products.
If you have a large patio the corners are a great place for this. Try and use a generic setting; between 1,200 and 2,300 PSI tends to give you enough power without much effort. If your pressure's too high, your water jet is going to do severe damage to your flags – blasting off more than just moss and surface grime.
In fact, vinegar removes mold from concrete better than bleach. Bleach will only remove the top layer of mold, causing the mold to return.
An effective pressure wash cleans the pores of your concrete. Make sure to apply concrete sealer after pressure washing.
Most car wash soaps produce a lot of bubbles and foam, which can damage the nozzle. Instead, use a specialized vehicle detergent and degreaser safe for pressure washers. They effectively clean dirt and remove caked-on grease and oil stains from your vehicles, minus the foam.
As a general rule of thumb, start by adding two or three ounces of soap per gallon of water. If this doesn't seem to be enough, slowly increase the amount of soap until you find the perfect ratio for your needs. Just be sure not to add too much soap, as this can leave behind a soapy residue.
Best Time of Day to Power Wash
House washing can be performed at basically any time of the day, as long as you have sufficient light needed to safely complete the job. Extreme summer heat can make it difficult to properly wash your house, especially while working with certain chemicals.
Some common chemicals used for cleaning concrete include alkaline cleaners, acid cleaners, and enzymatic cleaners. Alkaline cleaners are effective for removing general dirt and grime, while acid cleaners are used for removing rust stains or mineral deposits.
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.