How to Make Homemade House Wash for Your Pressure Washer

Power washing a home is a topmost priority for most homeowners in whose regard it cannot fail but add to curb appeal. Simultaneously, it protects the property against dirt, algae, and other contaminants that cause damage. Most homeowners who find the most readily available home cleaning agents good enough prefer homemade house wash solutions for being cost-effective and eco-friendly. This blog post will walk you through a straightforward process of making a homemade house wash that you can use with a pressure washer to keep your house looking its best.

Understanding the Basics of House Wash

Before looking at some of the do-it-yourself solutions, it is good to understand that a house wash is all about what exactly works in getting to be effective. A good cleaning solution can break the dirt, grime, and organic growths like molds and mildew laid on the house without hurting the surface of your home or the environment.

The Role of Detergents

Essentially, detergents are present to reduce the surface tension between the solution and the dirt so the solution can expand and grime may loosen. Detergents are surfactants. When making household wash at home, it becomes essential to make sure the applied surfactants are biodegradable and gentle on most surfaces.

Ingredients for Homemade House Wash

Creating a homemade house wash requires simple ingredients that are often already available in your household. Here’s what you’ll need:

1. Water

Water acts as the base of your cleaning solution. It dilutes the other ingredients to a safe concentration and helps in evenly distributing the cleaning agents over the surfaces being washed.

2. Laundry Detergent

A small amount of laundry detergent can help in loosening and removing dirt. Ensure the detergent is free from bleach and fragrances to avoid damage to your siding or plants around your home.

3. Bleach (Optional)

For areas heavily affected by mold or mildew, adding bleach can be effective. However, it’s important to use it cautiously as it can damage plants and some types of siding. Always opt for oxygen bleach (sodium percarbonate) as it is safer for plants compared to chlorine bleach.

4. Vinegar

Vinegar is excellent for dealing with mold and mildew. Its acidic nature helps in breaking down these organic growths naturally without the harshness of bleach.

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Homemade House Wash

Here’s how to combine these ingredients to create an effective house wash for use with a pressure washer:

Step 1: Mix the Ingredients

• Water: Start with a gallon of water in a large bucket.
• Laundry Detergent: Add a cup of eco-friendly laundry detergent.
• Bleach or Vinegar: Depending on the need, add a cup of oxygen bleach or white vinegar. Never mix bleach and vinegar.

Stir the mixture until all components are well combined.

Step 2: Prepare Your Pressure Washer

Fill the detergent tank of your pressure washer with the homemade cleaning solution. If your model does not have a detergent tank, use a siphon hose placed directly into the bucket.

Step 3: Apply the Solution

• Start at the bottom of the walls and work your way up. This technique prevents streaks by ensuring that the detergent does not drip over dry areas.
• Allow the solution to sit on the surface for about 10 to 15 minutes. Do not let it dry as this might leave residues.

Step 4: Rinse Thoroughly

Using just water, rinse the siding from top to bottom. This ensures any residual cleaner and loosened dirt is washed away effectively.

Safety Tips and Best Practices

When using a pressure washer and homemade cleaning solutions, consider the following tips to ensure safety and effectiveness:

• Test the Solution: Before applying it to your entire house, test the solution on a small, inconspicuous area to check for any adverse reactions.
• Protect Your Plants: Cover plants or water them thoroughly before and after washing to dilute any chemicals that might reach them.
• Wear Protective Gear: Always wear goggles and gloves when mixing chemicals and operating a pressure washer.

Conclusion

To keep your home looking its best, a homemade house wash solution for your pressure washer is simple and inexpensive. You can easily have that dirt and mold gone from your home without using various aggressive chemicals by choosing among the recipes and tips presented in this blog. Find more home maintenance tips or professional service providers at JD Power Washing on our homepage. We are dedicated, with our skills and value, to helping you keep your home beautiful and in an excellent structural state.