These formulas are shared for free from www.pressurewasherproducts.com and are only general guidelines. It is important to note when the home or building was last painted. You may want to avoid soft washing the structure if it was painted under a year ago. It is always a good idea to test on an inconspicuous area before fully committing…
WARNING: Always prepare and pre-wet the landscaping and house. See our article on how to properly prepare landscaping here.
Tile Roof Washes:
In a 100 gallon container, thoroughly mix the following:
50 gallons of 10-12% sodium hypochlorite
50 gallons of cool water (CAUTION: never use hot water)
4-16 ounces of Slo-Mo Softwash Surfactant (or about 50 to 150 ounces of laundry soap)
Shingle or Composite Roofs:
In a 100 gallon container, thoroughly mix the following:
30 gallons of 10-12% sodium hypochlorite
70 gallons of cool water (CAUTION: never use hot water)
4-16 ounces of Slo-Mo Softwash Surfactant (or about 100 to 150 ounces of laundry soap)
Metal Roofs:
In a 100 gallon container, thoroughly mix the following:
20 gallons of 10-12% sodium hypochlorite
80 gallons of cool water (CAUTION: never use hot water)
4-16 ounces of Slo-Mo Softwash Surfactant (or about 50 to 150 ounces of laundry soap)
Do not let it dry, rinse quickly. You can hit it with a water-based wax or water-based tire dressing for a wet look.
House Washing:
Including vinyl siding, brick, Hardie plank, and stucco. Use a watered-down version of the roof wash by adding more water and using your soft wash system, downstream chemical injector, or an X-Jet in conjunction with your pressure washer. (Downstream injector: Extend the length of your 1/4″ injector pickup hose to allow you to drop it into your roof wash tank. Most downstream injectors will pick up a solution that will be up to 20% of your roof wash mix. Use your 0030, 0040 or 0050 to apply soapy mixtures under eaves many stories up without needing a ladder X-Jet: Place roof wash mix in your container and allow the X-Jet to apply a diluted ratio of your mix to the house.)
If you need to remove a large number of spider webs or eggs that usually require brushing, use a more concentrated version of the house-wash mix to DISSOLVE the spider webs and eggs. Our Stampede added to your mix helps remove this mess!
How to neutralize the salt that burns the plants leftover from the Sodium Hypochlorite:
Use gypsum from any nursery or chlorine neutralizer from any pool supply store.
Irrigation Rust:
(Not for Rust from Metal Rust, Like Chairs or Tables or Rust Stains from Vehicle Radiators)
Oxalic Acid Powder or Granules 99% (white powder; Active ingredient in Rust-Aid)
Mix 8 to 16 ounces of oxalic acid per 1 gallon of warm or hot water (heated water helps to dissolve powders).
Add a surfactant like a dish soap to use as a wetting agent to extend dwell time.
Mix Thoroughly.
Use a pump-up sprayer to apply to irrigation rust. When it hits the rust, it should bubble up.
Rinse thoroughly. Multiple applications may be needed.
Let dry completely between coats for best results.
CAUTION: DO NOT MIX WITH ROOF WASH, SODIUM HYPOCHLORITE, SODIUM PERCARBONATE OR A HIGH PH SOAP.
Cedar Shingles, Wood Siding, etc. :
Become familiar with wood structure based on species. Wood can be cleaned with a weaker solution of Sodium Hypochlorite. Sodium Hypochlorite or Bleach will permanently damage the wood breaking down the cellulose or structure of the wood and remove the natural colors and tones if applied incorrectly at a very strong ratio. A wooden surface is similar to your face. It requires a cleaning, sloughing off, moisturizing and sealing. Become familiar with the wood surface you are working with, ask respected industry experts, test multiple spots in inconspicuous areas and take before and after photos. Cedar wood can be cleaned effectively with 800 psi and 1000 psi using the 25 and 40 degree spray nozzles.
1. FIRST STEP~CLEAN
6 ounces of Sodium Percarbonate per gallon (Sodium Percarbonate purchased locally in a 50 pound bag, white powder)
1 ounce of Caustic Soda or Sodium Hydroxide (Purchased locally in a 50 pound bag, white powder, granules or flakes)
Slo Mo Softwash Surfactant
Mix THOROUGHLY
Rinse THOROUGHLY
2. SECOND STEP~NEUTRALIZE
DO NOT USE SAME SPRAYER FOR BOTH STEPS. Combination of two chemicals in first and second steps will cause combustion to occur.
6 ounces of Oxalic Acid Powder or Granules 99% per 1 gallon of WARM or HOT Water (Purchased locally in a 50 pound bag, white powder; Active ingredient in Rust-Aid)
Slo Mo Softwash Surfactant
Mix THOROUGHLY
Rinse THOROUGHLY
CAUTION: TriSodiumPhosphate or TSP is a white powder often used to etch the layer of gloss on painted or shiny surfaces and frequently used as a cleaning and degreasing agent in paint preparation.
Avoid adding TSP to your soft-wash mixes for two primary reasons:
1. If left to accidentally dry on glossy surfaces such as windows or shiny gutter or garage doors, TSP will cause permanent damage to the shiny surfaces and ‘de-gloss’ paint or glass and stain metal and cement surfaces.
2. Use of TSP will give the possibility of violating the Clean Water Act or CWA. If evidence of pollution by TSP or other pollutant by your company’s services cause a fish kill, waterway plant death, eutrophication of nearby bodies of fresh or salt water, you may be held liable. It is rare but can cost thousands in fines as warnings are almost never heard of. Many states only allow the sale of a TSP substitute.
Please keep your recipes simple. Before adding anything to your recipe, EXHAUST yourself researching whether or not it will negatively react with the sodium hypochlorite or anything else including your equipment.
ALWAYS take before and after pictures of EVERY JOB including dead plants and previously damaged property or roof tile. Having photographic evidence of dead plants, property damage, broken tiles or shingles before you arrived or against a dirty home or building prior to providing your services will save you thousands of dollars in replacing plant life or repairs that should not have been your responsibility.
DO NOT USE Calcium Hypochlorite. It contains an insoluble, inert, white filler that is left behind on the surface that it was applied to. It does not wash clean from windows without the need to re-wash the surface. It does not break down into a product that is good for the plants. Sodium Hypochlorite is easy to find, biodegradable and degrades extremely quickly into salt and water.
1. PWP’s Stampede Plus Degreaser: Petroleum Oil and Greases (Gas Stations, Drive Thru’s, Heavy Equipment and Driveway Stains)
2. PWP’sFOG Away: Fats, Oils and Greases from Food By-Products (Restaurant Rear Entrance, Barbecue Grill Drippings on Deck, Sun Tan Oil and Restaurant Exhaust Hoods)