Using Soap Plus Homemade Detergents for Pressure Washer

The jet coming from a pressure washer is not enough if you want that sparkling clean finish. In many situations, you need the power of detergent to remove deep-seated dirt and grease on various surfaces, including cars.

A cleaning agent used for a pressure washer doesn’t need to be expensive. We strongly recommend that you take the time to understand the type or brand of soaps that are compatible with your machine. Or, you can use some household products to create an effective cleaning solution.

Soap is one of the most common home cleaning solutions that also works great for pressure washing. Make sure to use a clean soap injector connected to the device to dispense only the appropriate amount of soap needed to clean a surface.

How About Bleach?

Bleach and soap often come together but not this time. Although bleach is a good cleaner especially for fabric and concrete, it has a corrosive property due to its high sodium hypochlorite content. This composition is clear and has yellowish color with a strong odor and irritates the skin.

Since bleach is corrosive, it can damage the pressure washer’s pump, o-rings, and hoses. The manufacturer might void the warranty when they found out that you are using bleach for the machine. It also poses a risk for plants and pets. If you want to use bleach despite the warning, you need to lock up your pets somewhere and cover the plants. If you have kids, don’t let them come near your work area.

You better wear protective equipment like gloves and eyewear to avoid the bleach from getting in contact with your skin and eyes for your safety. Whether you’re thinking of using bleach or any other chemicals, always make sure they are approved for pressure washing.

DIY Pressure Washer Detergent

Making a detergent from other cleaning solutions and food items you can find in your kitchen is practical and self-fulfilling. There is a different kind of excitement whenever you DIY something that can help clean the house.

For Concrete Surfaces

Creating your detergent recipe is not just practical but also eco-friendly. This recipe is effective against tough stains like grease or oil commonly found on your driveway.

Ingredients:

• ½ cup of Borax
• ½ cup of washing soda
• 1 gallon of water
• 1 tablespoon of liquid dish soap

Mix dry ingredients. Set aside overnight. The next morning, add in wet ingredients and mix slowly.

For a stronger solution, double the quantity of all the ingredients except water.

For Wood Deck and Flooring

This detergent will eliminate dust and light discoloration on outdoor flooring wood.

Ingredients:

• ⅓ cup powdered laundry detergent
• ⅔ cup all-purpose household cleaner
• 1 gallon of water
• 1 quart of bleach

Mix dry ingredients first before adding the wet components. Again, double the quantity of all the ingredients except for water if you need a stronger solution.

Environment-friendly Recipes

Going green is the best and safest choice if you have kids, pets, or plants in your home. This way, you can still keep your home clean without harming your loved ones and the environment.

For general cleaning

This formula is safe for cleaning most surfaces and is made from ingredients you can find in your cabinet.

In this recipe, you will need:

• ⅓ cup phosphate-free laundry detergent (powder)
• ⅔ cup household cleaner
• 1 gallon of water
• (optional) 1 cup vinegar

Follow the same steps above.

This recipe is ideal for cleaning patio furniture since it will not harm the plants. It is non-toxic and quickly breaks down with soil, making it an eco-friendly option.

For cars

This simple recipe produces green and economical cleaner for your car. When using this for your pressure washer, only use low pressure to avoid damaging or breaking anything.

Ingredients:

• ¾ cup phosphate-free laundry detergent (powder)
• Mix slowly to limit the suds.
• Make sure to rinse thoroughly to remove all of the soap afterwards.
• 1 gallon hot water

Washing soda cleaner

First of all, washing soda is not the same as baking soda although the later is the main ingredient for making the former. Washing soda is an eco-friendly pressure washing detergent that is so simple to make.

You will need:

• Baking soda
• Cookie sheet
• Oven
• Spatula or spoon

Procedure:

1. Preheat oven to 400 °F (or 200 °C)
2. Spread out the baking soda on a cookie sheet in a thin layer.
3. Bake for 40 minutes.
4. Stir every 6– 8 minutes.
5. Remove and cool.

Once the procedure is done, the soda will look differently. It will lose its luster, becomes drier, and doesn’t look as crystalized as before. Observing these subtle differences will tell you if you’ve done the procedure right or not.

A detergent helps a pressure washer do its job well. The chemicals found in detergents loosens up dirt to make it easier for the sprayer to remove them. It also adds shine to the surface where it is applied. Some chemicals are also known for their sanitation properties to keep your home safer for your family and pets.

Creating DIY detergent is helpful for emergency use and if you’re cutting off on your expenses. However, some of these homemade cleaning agents can ruin different surfaces or clog up some parts of the machine. For these reasons, buying a tried and tested detergent compatible with your pressure washer is still the better option.