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Answers To Your Questions About Chemicals Used In Pressure Washing

Answers to questions about chemicals

Pressure washing is just plain tap water used under force, right? While that's where the name comes from, there's a lot more to pressure washing than just water. For starters, our team has to know which water pressure is best for each type of surface around your home or business. We also use chemicals to ensure a deep clean.

Whenever we talk about chemicals our customers inevitably have questions. We want to offer full transparency about every step of the pressure washing process. Here are answers to three of the most common questions we get.

What Are The Different Chemicals That You Use?

We employ the use of a variety of soaps and detergents. A lot of factors go into how we decide which chemicals are right for a job. Soap is a more natural product because it comes from plant and animal products. Detergent on the other hand is made from chemicals.

If we use soap we also have to have a water softening filter attached. Otherwise, regular tap water can leave calcium deposits behind when combined with soap. If we can use a detergent to clean your surfaces, we don't need a water softener to remove excess calcium. For the best results, we usually employ some combination of both soaps and cleaners.

Examples of pressure washing soaps and detergents include:

  • Ammonia - The best solution for glass surfaces and stainless steel
  • Bleach - Sanitizes and disinfects by destroying mold, mildew, and algae
  • Citric Acid - Removes set-in stains from wood and concrete
  • Oxalic Acid - Best for removing rust buildup
  • Potassium Hydroxide - A soap additive that liquifies the solution
  • Sodium Hydroxide - The best solution for degreasing a variety of surfaces
  • Sodium Hypochlorite - Loosen dirt and grime from set-in stains and disinfects surfaces
  • Vinegar - Gentle enough for us on windows and other surfaces that don't have set-in stains

Are The Chemicals Used For Pressure Washing Safe?

Yes and no. Many of our cleaners are safe to use around pets, kids, and plants. Some stronger chemicals are not - but we know the difference. We will talk to you about the potential risks of any cleaners we plan to use at your home or business. We will let you know how long you need to keep kids and pets out of your yard following a pressure washing service.

Can You Pressure Wash Without Using Chemicals?

Yes, but the pressure washing results may not be as good as possible. Our soaps and detergents are an important factor in loosening grime and destroying the mold. Without the help of soaps and detergents, pressure washing can leave some stains, mold, and grease behind. Your results may not last as long, either - especially for commercial services like drive-thru cleaning and degreasing. Our cleaner solutions leave a protective layer that helps to prevent future mold and grime.

At the end of the day, you need to select a pressure washing company that understands how to best combine cleaning solutions and pressure levels to best care for your property - and Virginia PowerClean is that company!

Conact Us If You Need Professional Pressure Washing In Fairfax & Surrounding Areas!