A pressure washer is an incredibly effective way to clean outdoor surfaces, cars, floors, etc. But they don’t come cheap. On the long run, however, they are a great buy. Even though they are very effective on their own, they do even better with a pressure washer detergent soap. Making your own homemade pressure washer soap will help you save cost on the long run and also make your pressure washer really effective.
Please find below easy ways to make your own homemade pressure washer detergent at home for different types of surfaces. Before starting, equip yourselves with protective gear such as gloves and goggles. A water softener can help you to make your detergent soap easily. Your driveways also need regular cleaning but it is very difficult to do it regularly. But with the help of pressure washer it will become very easy. For more information about cleaning and disinfecting, here’s an article about common disinfecting and sanitizing mistakes made by homeowners.
Related Post: Best Electric Pressure Washer for Driveways
Power washer detergent soap for concrete–
Pressure washing a concrete surface is not as straightforward as it looks. You need to add a good cleaning solution to get proper results. Here is an easy DIY at home-
-Pour a gallon of fresh water in a large bucket.
-Add a ½ cup of borax and ½ cup of washing soda and mix thoroughly.
-Stir in 1 tablespoon of liquid dish soap.
This is a very effective solution for concrete. Ensure you remove any debris before starting for a thorough clean.
An inexpensive power washer detergent soap for decks and smooth flooring-
-Combine 100 ml laundry detergent soap with 200 ml of all-purpose cleaner powder and leave it to rest overnight.
-Mix 1 liter of bleach in 5 liters of water
-Add the dry mixture to this solution and stir carefully to avoid suds.
This homemade power washer detergent soap is an excellent deck and floor cleaner. You can store unused solution in a clean airtight plastic container for future use.
Power washer detergent soap for cars–
Car owners who do not want to spend money on a pressure washer can use a foam cannon that attaches to a garden hose to clean their vehicle. To avoid damaging paint and sensitive parts, a gentle power wash liquid is recommended for cars. This gentle DIY power wash fits the bill nicely.
-Mix 12 tablespoons of laundry detergent powder in a gallon of hot water gently to avoid suds. If you are not going to check for suds, then it is better to use a proper car wash soap for this. Having hairlines on your paint because of improper washing is always a bad experience.
The car must be cleaned with low pressure and must be given a thorough rinse with fresh water after the clean.
Eco- friendly Power washer detergent soap
-Mix 1/3rd cup Phosphate free laundry soap with 2/3rd cup household cleaner powder in a gallon of water.
-Mix gently to avoid suds.
This green power washer detergent soap is great for regular cleaning. For more persistent stains, you can add some white vinegar to the solution.
For Vinyl sidings–
This DIY homemade power washer detergent soap is great for vinyl sidings.
-Mix 1/3rd cup of Trisodium Phosphate and 1/3rd cup of laundry detergent powder in a gallon of water.
-Mix carefully to avoid suds.
This mixture should be applied using your power washer from the bottom of the siding and slowly moving to the top. After a few minutes rinse with freshwater staring from the top and gradually moving to the bottom. The downward flow of the water helps for thorough rinsing.
The above DIY methods can easily be replicated at home, and the materials used can also be easily sourced. It is extremely important that you use the correct water pressure recommended for various surfaces by the manufacturer.
As mentioned earlier, safety is paramount. Wear protective goggles and gloves before handling chemicals. Prepare your DIY homemade power washer detergent soap in a well-ventilated area. These recipes will go a long way in reducing your long-term running costs. Share these recipes with your friends and have fun DIYing!
