Here's a short list of some of the usual chemicals used in commercial pressure washing: Oxalic acid – useful in rust removal and other similar cleaning processes. Citric acid – stain removal and cleaning of concrete driveways or wooden decks. Sodium hypochlorite – disinfects and removes stains.
To maintain the lighter color of a concrete driveway, many homeowners turn to cleaning with bleach, but you should not power wash with bleach because it can damage your pressure washer.
Pre-washing with the right detergent helps to begin breaking down the algae, rust, dirt, or oil stain before pressure is even applied. 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!
Whether your patio is sealed concrete or cement, or even sealed concrete pavers, a bleach and water solution makes it easy to clean away built up soil, stains from leaves and pollen, mold, mildew and algae.
Before you get started, you'll want to rent or buy: Pressure Washer. Chemicals to treat the concrete: ph-neutral cleaners for mild jobs, acidic cleaners for tough stains, and alkaline cleaners for oil and grease stains.
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.
In fact, vinegar removes mold from concrete better than bleach. Bleach will only remove the top layer of mold, causing the mold to return.
The quick answer is yes, power washing can degrade a concrete surface.
Concrete cleaning calls for powerful pressure washers featuring high pressure levels of 3000 PSI. However, if you will be using the power cleaner to maintain a range of surfaces in addition to concrete, choose one with adjustable pressure levels and set it to about 3000 PSI when you need to clean concrete.
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.
In some cases, yes – it will help blast through tougher messes you'd otherwise be unable to get through. However, it may not always be necessary. The benefits of using pressure washer soap can boast magnificent results, especially when cleaning up surfaces that may need a more intense cleaning.
Our top pick for an alkaline concrete cleaner, Sunnyside 64216 TSP All Purpose Cleaner, is recommended for indoor surfaces and works quickly to remove tough stains. Acid concrete cleaners are made with phosphoric acid or hydrochloric acid, which cause a chemical reaction that lifts stains.
Use only detergents specifically designed for pressure washers, such as: Sun Joe® HOUSE +DECK WASH. Sun Joe® SNOW FOAM AUTO WASH. Sun Joe® HEAVY DUTY CLEANER.
Yes, vinegar is an excellent concrete cleaner. This solution can strip surface-level messes from concrete. Due to its acidic properties, vinegar can be a powerful tool for breaking down offensive materials such as dirt, stains, and bacteria.
Simply fill a spray bottle with equal parts water and vinegar (or water and baking soda), and add a little bit of liquid dish detergent. Spray the mixture on your concrete surface and let it sit for about 30 minutes. Then scrub and rinse your concrete.
Pressure washing is one of the fastest, most effective ways to get your concrete white again. Concrete can change color over time due to pollen, algae, or dirt buildup, but a good pressure wash can easily remove dirt and stains and make your concrete look new again.
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.
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.
Clean From the Bottom Up
Using the cleaning solution, start power washing at the bottom of the house and work your way up. Working from the top down can cause water and suds to run down the side of the house, making it more likely you'll miss a section.
Both power washing chemicals should be diluted with water in order to be effective and not damage the surface. Bleach is great for killing mold and moss, ensuring it doesn't come back. Chlorine is a solid option for getting rid of grease stains on concrete.