The power washing trailer is a heavy duty piece of equipment that can be extremely useful for a landscaping crew or company, as well as a valuable piece of maintenance equipment for a wide array of other businesses or companies responsible for their own maintenance and upkeep.  While this tool is definitely more commercial minded and heavier duty than even the most Hank Hill type of handyman would need, it is one that finds plenty of popularity among the right crews.

Before you rush to buy or build your own power washing trailers, there’s a lot to consider.  This is a heavy duty piece of equipment, and you can imagine the price tag that comes along with words like “industrial” or “heavy duty.”  Many of these trailers will come with price tags in the many thousands of dollars, which also leads many people to start asking questions about how to build a power washing trailer themselves.  It is certainly possible, assuming you know enough about mechanics and engineering to get all the pieces functioning together the way they need to, but there’s no guarantee you could make one that would be as effective as companies that specialize in building pressure washing trailers.  In fact, the odds would definitely be stacked against you on that one.

That being said, if you need a customized power washer to get a special job done, the good news is that there are companies that actually specialize in customizing pressure washing trailers so you can basically fill out the specs and get the actual trailer you need without having to worry about pressurizing the water, welding, or doing the work yourself and wondering if it will work after that or not.

This is a viable option for many individuals who find themselves needing a pressure washing trailer for special jobs and don’t want some generic “one size fits all” type of set up that really doesn’t help them out.  These customization jobs often start with details like whether you want a single or double tandem axel trailer, and move to the size of the water tank, the type of pressure washer used, and going to all the extra details from hoses and everything else.  Many companies start with 100 gallon tanks and move up to 500.  Some go by exact amounts (100 gallons, 200 gallons, etc) while other companies choose to go with slightly staggered amounts like 230 gallons, 330 gallons, and so on.

While many people fall for the bigger is better line of thinking, make sure you actually need a top of the line fully powerful and large tank power washer.  It may be tempting to go for 500 gallons and the strongest spray you can get, but don’t forget many power sprayers can crack or damage pavement or a tarmac when shot directly at the area being cleaned.  Besides, it’s a waste of money for you to go all out on a full sized pressure washing trailer when something middle of the line is more than enough to handle your needs.

Finally, if you do decide you want to build your own pressure washing trailer, make sure you have mechanical engineering professionals or assistance from people who know how to put those machines together so they work properly – you don’t want to dump hundreds or even thousands of dollars into a guess.

Pressure washer solution is available from many of the major home repair or home maintenance based stores, but it can be extremely expensive.  While the idea of a pressure washer is appealing for a wide variety of reasons, the idea of paying an arm and a leg for those benefits is something that’s not going to click for a lot of consumers.  If you have some major allergy issues around your home with pollen, mold, and other things sticking around you understand how having that pressure washer can really help you clean up the area.  They do wonders on grimy bathrooms, as well.  However, if you want to save yourself money you might want to look at making your own homemade pressure washer solution as opposed to spending an arm and a leg for what the big box stores are likely to ask you for.

Homemade pressure washer detergent can be just as effective as the really expensive brand name versions you find at Home Depot or other similar stores.  If you know how to make a good mixture, there’s no reason you can’t spend the money to do it yourself at home.  It won’t always be cheap, but many times it will be far less expensive than what the top of the line pressure washer solutions.

One popular and simple mixture is simple green and some laundry detergent or bleach for the outdoor spraying.  Other people swear by various combinations of laundry detergent with bleach as a general good all-purpose pressure washer solution.  Another popular recipe for homemade pressure washer detergent that comes up frequently for inside the house is mixing 1/3 cup powdered laundry detergent with 2/3 cup of powdered all purpose cleaner, and then mixing that with a gallon of water and one quart of liquid bleach.  This combination can be very powerful for use with a pressure washer, but make sure to always mix in an open and well ventilated area in addition to using all safety gear like goggles, rubber gloves, and disposable face masks.  Safety should always come first.

When you’re making your own homemade detergent for a pressure washer, it’s important to find a mixture that doesn’t irritate your eyes or skin and is strong enough to get the job done without lingering in the air too long.  No one likes the smell of bleach six hours after cleaning time, and your experience over time will help you learn what mixtures work best and how much to apply.  One helpful tip: when you’re mixing your pressure washer solution at home make sure to pay attention to foam or bubbles at the top.  This can cause issues with spraying, so you need to make sure those die down in the mixture before you go to work.

There are many different recipes for a wide variety of homemade pressure washer detergents and it never hurts to ask around to see if any of your friends or acquaintances has a recipe they find most useful.  Forums are another great place to get advice on this topic or to get advice on the exact quantities to mix to get a stronger or weaker version depending on what your specific ventilation and cleaning needs require.

Hiring a reputable pressure washing service

Whenever you hire someone to come into or around your home or business to perform some type of service, it’s important to know what you’re getting and who you can trust. One of the best ways to find a reputable pressure washing service in your area is to check your local yellow pages or business listings for pressure washing services.

The internet can be a great resource, and with the popular site, ServiceMagic.com. This site can match you up with a pressure washing service provider within your area. What makes this such a great resource is that they include local recommendations and customer reviews which can assist you in making the right decision for your needs. This does a lot in keeping local service providers inline since they know a bad review can seriously hurt their business.

The best way to find a reputable washing service is to check into their referrals. Anyone can rent a pressure washer and say their power washing service but if they don’t know what they’re doing they can seriously damage your deck, wooden fence, concrete, siding, or whatever you hired them to do.

If you’re looking to have your deck refinished, most often a deck company will also provide pressure washing as part of their service or can recommend a company they work with. It would only make sense that a company who is going to refinish your deck would suggest a washing provider that would not harm or damage the wood service prior to finishing.

Knowing what to look for can help you save damage in the long run. For example, a washing business may offer soft pressure washing. This is a great way to ensure they’re not going to damage your wood or siding. Soft pressure washing is a process where they use (generally) around 400 PSI or less pressure for washing.

Soft washing uses the aid of chemicals and detergents to create the necessary cleaning environment. In all actuality, most pressure washing services offered mostly use what would be considered soft washing, since they’re using lower pressure and the aid of chemicals and temperature. A reputable washing service will have a vast knowledge of the types of chemicals that work best for different services; so don’t be afraid to ask before you hire them what types of pressure they use, whether they use soft washing, and what types of chemicals they use for different services. With the huge amount of great detergents available today, it really isn’t necessary to use high-pressure washing for any service these days other than brick, mortar, or concrete. Even then, soft washing may be the best choice.

If a company shows up and intends to only use pressure to clean the surface, no matter what the service is, be wary of them and ask more questions before allowing them to operate.

Are you thinking about starting your own pressure washing service? Here are a few things to consider.

If you’re thinking about starting your own pressure washing service, there are a few simple things to keep in mind that will help you become a successful.

Firstly, become educated! There are a lot of people out there who think power washing is simply renting a power washer and blasting away at any service, I know, I used to be one of them. When a buddy and I started a painting company years ago, we begin offering pressure washing as part of our service. We found it a good way to up-sale a client before we actually started painting. It took us several years to really understand the power of washing and that you can really damage a surface if you don’t know what you’re doing. Fortunately we never seriously damaged anyone’s property, but we did damage our own (my deck!).

Check out our article on pressure washing business to learn more tips on starting a service. The best advice is to educate yourself and rent before you buy to make sure you get the right pressure washing equipment for your needs. Renting your equipment first is a great way to learn how different washing systems work and ultimately which one you may like to purchase. This is what a buddy and I did with our painting company and used the same process when we added pressure washing to our business.

How to Build a Low Pressure Roof Cleaning Rig

About 15 years ago a buddy and I started a painting company. Although I left the partnership eventually to venture into the restaurant business (and a dozen other things since then), I learned some valuable lessons and tips when starting your own business; specifically, starting a pressure washing business. As with starting any business, pressure washing is the same, you have to have a plan and be willing to make some compromises along the way; like putting profits back into the business if you want it to grow. Although I might have done things a little different today, like maybe take advantage of cool resources available like Power Washing for High Profits.

If you're looking for an all inclusive guide to making money pressure washing or starting a power washing business, check out Power Washing for High Profits. There are a lot of power washing business plans for sale out there (we've checked out most of them) and a lot of them simply give you the business plan or help you create the business plan. Power Washing for High Profits does a good job of describing not only how to start your power washing business, but how to market that business, getting good deals on equipment, and unique tricks of the trade as well. The kit even includes promotional materials on how to start a pressure washing business you can use right away to hand out like fliers and even door hangers. No other business plan package includes those nice little features that make getting started easier. The simplicity and practical tools in Power Washing for High Profits is a great place to start building your pressure washing business, and at a price of $14.95, you really can't go wrong, especially with their %100 guarantee and 30 full refund policy.

**Update: Check out the bottom of this post for Power Washing Starter Kits (some which includes Training DVD) and trailers.

Starting a pressure washing business can be done affordably. Many entrepreneurs are looking for a business that is low cost and easy to grow. Obtaining local clients and repeat customers is important. Here are some tips on how to start a pressure washing business.

Equipment

Commercial pressure washers can be obtained from businesses that cater to the needs of home improvement. Basic pressure washers for commercial purposes start under five hundred dollars. Larger models offer more variety and better coverage area when performing services for clients. One of the best ways to get starting with your power washing business is to rent your washer from a local rental store. You can rent the washers for months or even a year until you have enough cash flow to purchase your own. More than likely, you’ll want to buy your own as soon as possible because you’ll begin to realize what you like and dislike about the rentals.

A lot of people don’t realize they can start a business with rental equipment. They think they have to come right out of the gate with all the newest and greatest equipment purchased on credit cards or going in debt early. By renting your pressure washing equipment first, you’ll also get a “feel” for the business environment and have a more realistic idea of it’s truly something you want to do. Think about it, if you purchased all your equipment first, then a month later you realized you really didn’t like the pressure washing business after all, you would be stuck with all that equipment!

There are electric pressure washers, gas pressure washers, and tow behind pressure washers. The variety and type of equipment needed to experience the best results can improve as the business profits increase.

Financial

Decide in advance with a written budget how much money there is available to start your business. It is possible to start up with $2,000 to $45,000 or as the budget allows. This is the time to think about how the business will be financed. Many entrepreneurs have a line of credit, savings, or are actively raising cash. Again, think about rental the equipment and working on weekends, saving the money you make from your washing business and putting into a separate account. As that account grows, you can then use it to purchase your own power washing equipment.

Create a business plan that operates within the confines of the budget. If the budget is extremely low or restrictive, consider purchasing or renting equipment and tools that are within the budget.

Legal

Create a legal business structure for the pressure washing business. This could be through forming a Limited Liability Corporation, also known as an LLC. Speak with an accountant or lawyer if help is needed deciding which business structure is best. One great resource on the web is legalzoom.com. You can get an LLC setup there all online for a few hundred bucks!

Insuring the business will help offset any potential accidents that might occur. The cost of liability insurance is a necessary expense to protect assets of the business.

Plan the details of the daily tasks necessary to perform jobs well. These items could be work truck, nozzles, tips, surface cleaners, water hoses, x-jet, and soaps for cleansing.

Education

Invest in educational resources that teach in depth how to power wash properly. There are many short training sessions available, DVD trainings, and even books written on the subject. Do as much training as the budget will allow. The training will help with safety precautions and basic marketing help. This part reminds me of how my buddy and I got started on the remodeling business. Basically we told a company that would hire remodel crews to do insurance claim work that we could do anything. From painting, power washing, drywall, you name it, our response was “sure, we’ve done that before no problem.” Then we would immediately go to the local Home Depot and purchase a VCR tape or book on the subject and teach ourselves. Hey, it worked! We sure learned a lot and I don’t believe we screwed anyone’s property up that bad. Lesson being, as long as you know more than they guy you’re working for about how to do something, you’re find. And make sure you’re insured and at least know how NOT to damage property or hurt someone.

Marketing

Think about how the business will be marketed. Use free and low cost resources to develop an online presence quickly. Purchase a domain name and start a website. The basic website simply needs to list important contact information. Always use a professional email that is based off the domain name.

Start a Face book fan page, create a YouTube video account, and start writing articles for distribution. These articles and videos can be placed on distribution venues like Ezine Articles and Tube Mogul. Talk about the benefits of the local pressure washing service. This will help local customers find the business contact information. Have some money set aside for traditional advertising expenses like print ads, pay per click, direct mail, and local news paper ads.

Starting a pressure washing business can be done effectively on a limited or large budget. Develop a business plan and marketing plan and take action. Use these tips to help start a pressure washing business.

And the biggest tip (no pun intended) of all, don’t be afraid to try! Rarely has anyone ever became hugely successful without a few mistakes here and there; so don’t take yourself so seriously and just do the best you can.

Starting a pressure washing business is like starting any other business, you need to be prepared as much as possible but if you wait until you have everything ready and perfect, you'll never start! Some of the best lessons and things you'll find that add success to your business will come from experience and don't be afraid to make mistakes; that's how we learn.

Pressure Washing Kits on eBay (some with Free Shipping)

MOBILE AUTO DETAILING PRESSURE WASHING SKID NO TRAILER

US $2,099.00

22d 14h 8m

Used Pressure Washing Truck

US $4,500.00

4d 11h 7m

ENCLOSED HEATED TRAILER HOT OR COLD WATER PRESSURE WASHING WASHER POWER WASHER

US $15,865.00

29d 20h 37m

POWER WASHING TRAILER RIG HOT OR COLD PRESSURE WASHER CLEANING EQUIPMENT

US $18,220.00

28d 8h 2m

LAMDA PRESSURE WASHING MACHINE SJ150 acqueous clean

US $1,750.00

29d 17h 56m

Complete Power Washing Business Starter Kit This kit is no longer being offered but you can check out similar complete packages HERE on eBay.

Complete Pressure Washing Kit

Ok, now I totally wish we would have used something like this when we started our business years ago. The fact is, once we started, it's sort of like buying a new house... you really don't know what you need until you start living there; toilet paper, dishes, etc. all the little things you don't think about. These add up and can really nickel and dime you to death. It's like starting a weekend job and having to head back to Home Depot 20 times because you didn't realize all the little things you needed for the job. So if you didn't get a chance to check out Power Washing for Profits from above which we talked about, maybe you're ready to jump right in with all the equipment also! If that's the case, and you have a wad of cash burning a hole in your pocket, maybe this option is for you.

These guys have put everything you need in one package to get you started with a pressure washing business with the Complete Power Washing Starter Kit, with training

Here's a list of all the things you get with this kit for under $3,000. Which may seem like a lot but once you add in all the accessories, it's actually a pretty good deal, plus the training DVD.

• 13HP HONDA MOTOR PRESSURE WASHER  (Comes with full Honda Warranty)
• 4000 PSI @ 4 Gallons per Min.  ( Adjustable PSI for Soft Wash)
• 100' 4000 PSI Goodyear High Pressure Hose
• 110' Commercial Fill Hose
• 12' to 18' Exstension Wand for 2nd story access.
• Gutter Cleaning Bar
• 4800 PSI Rated High Performance Wand
• Four Head Aluminum Water Broom
• 5 Gallon Concentrate Super House Washing Biodegradable Soap ( Will eliminate and kill Moldy Black Vinyl Homes into Clean Beautiful ones.)
• 1 Gallon Simple Awesome Degreaser ( Great for Driveways and Walkways)
• 20" Hammerhead Surface Cleaner Rated at 4800 PSI.  Poly Shroud with dual spinner action. Cuts cleaning time by 60%.
• 1 Commercial grade rotating turbo nozzle ( Great for Gum Removal and Oil Spots)
• Full Set of pressure tips
• Full Training Manual on Bidding the Job with DVD's  Step by Step Instructions on how to get Jobs and Make from $200 to $800 Per Home.  Awesome Repeat Business Program. Make Serious Money working PT or FT.  The Pressure Washing industry is exploding in these tough economic times.  House Washing can be combined with window washing , gutter cleaning, roof washing, painting, pool deck restoration, deck restoration etc. etc.

So if you're serious about starting your own pressure washing business, check out the Complete Power Washing Starter Kit, with training DVD

So, you want to pressure wash some concrete. Must be easy right? After all, it is only concrete and how tough can it be to screw that up right?

Before you start power washing any concrete, there are a few techniques and things you will want to keep in mind. We’ll start out with what type of tip you’ll need to be using the get the best results out of pressure washing your concrete.

Nozzles

In case you’re not familiar with the different tip sizes, there are tip sizes for basically every washing job you could think about performing. The tips change the angle of water as it comes out of the end of the pressure-washing nozzle at the end of the wand. For concrete, the best nozzle is probably the 15 degree. It is the least amount of fan next to the straight stream. Rarely do I use a straight stream for anything, except maybe knocking down wasp nests from far away.

Be careful when you start spraying and pay close attention to the area your hitting with the high pressure washer. Many times, there will be a slight crack in the concrete which if hit just right with the pressure washer, can turn into a big crack in a hurry.  Always start with the spray pointed away from the spraying service and move it into place after you’ve started the spay with the trigger pulled.

Detergents

<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="0"><tr><td><img src="" /><td></tr><tr><td><td></tr></table>I can be sort of lazy, so I really like the detergents that come in the dissolvable packets. I use the Green dissolvable packets from Home Depot. They smell really nice and work fairly well at cutting through grease. You can also come up with your own home made detergent. Depending on what you’re trying to get off the concrete will determine what the of detergent you want, if any. Most often, the concrete I’m power washing is simply my garage and driveway. I love clearing out my garage and going to town with the pressure washer. And for this, the simple soap type of detergent works fine. Leaves the garage smelling good also.

One thing to think about when pressure washing concrete, is that hot water washers work the best. Although they can be a bit more expensive, even to rent, they will cut through the grease a lot better than cold water. Think about the elements that need to be present when washing and how they all work together, heat, pressure, and chemical.

If the concrete or masonry you intend on washing is full of cracks and falling apart, you may want to think twice before going at it with a pressure washer. Unless this is part of your demo process. If you do really need to clean it, try using at least a 40 degree tip which will put less pressure on the concrete surface.

Always start on a little spot to see what effect your washing is having. I generally like to clean a small spot about the size of a basketball then let it dry for 10 or 15 minutes to make sure it's not damaging the surface. This is especially if you're washing concrete with seams or things like floor tiles.

We talked a little in another post about the proper way to use pressure washing equipment to wash a deck, but we didn’t go into many details. Here we are going into a little more detail on the proper way to power wash your deck.

I recall the first time I discovered a pressure washer, I thought it was the coolest thing and set out to wash everything in my neighborhood! One thing I found out is that a pressure washer can seriously damage wood, as in my friend’s wood fence!

Karcher Deck Soap

There are just as many cleaning solutions for decks as there are types of sprayers, so chose the one best suited for your needs. Remember there are different kinds, cleaning solutions (detergents), bleaches, and chemicals. So check with your local hardware store or where you rent your pressure washer to determine which solution is best for your project. Moreover, always be sure to read the label for proper mixing and handling. Always remember the basics of pressure washing in that the process is a mixture of water, heat, and detergents/cleaners so let the process work for you. Do not just try to power everything off with water pressure, let the cleaner do its job! One product which I've used and like is the Karcher Pressure Washer Deck SoapPac. This comes in 12 pack pouches which are easy because you just throw them in your bucket and they dissolve.

Let us now look at pressure. A good rule of thumb for PSI levels when power washing a deck or wood is no more than 1500 PSI (pounds per square inch). Although, always be cautions however because even this pressure can damage soft wood. When spraying wood, you want a fan width to be 40 to 60 degree’s which means you’ll want a 40’ or 60’ degree tip. Always start the sprayer with the tip facing away from the wood and move in to the surface. Do not start with the tip directly on or near the surface.

Most often the process of cleaning and pressure washing your deck will require scrubbing; usually with some type of cleaning agent. It is a good idea to use a brush made with synthetic bristles. Just like with other cleaning agents, some chemicals will eat away at the bristles of the brush and cause more of a mess than you started with. Again, read the instructions for the cleaning agent to be sure you are applying it correctly. Some cleaning solutions can damage your deck if you allow them to dry, so always have a hose handy to wet the deck down while brushing and applying the cleaner.

When spraying the deck, sweep from side to side and use a feathering technique. This is similar to power spray paining. You will notice that you can tell where you have started and stopped pressure washing; the wood will have a different color.  Feathering is one technique to avoid this by overlapping the area you previously covered. Start each stroke with the pressure washer nozzle just before the end of the previous stroke. Always go with grain of the wood also to get the best results.

This is a quick overview of how to power or pressure wash your deck. We touched on the “feathering” technique but there are many other techniques for spray patterns. We will go over some others in up and coming posts. Stay tuned for those!

military cloths washing deck over flatbed enclosed 16K gvw trailer curtain side

US $3,449.00

4d 5h 37m

Having the right equipment and knowing how to use it can cut the job time in half. Pressure washing is no different. Knowing what equipment you need and how to use it are two different things. Say you go to the local rental shop and rent a pressure washer to clean your deck. You are just assuming that all the appropriate parts are coming with the pressure washer you just rented right? Not necessarily, knowing what equipment you need will ensure you get home with the right tools for the job. No one likes running to their local hardware store ten times before they even get started. And we all know what that is like!

If renting a pressure washer, the main parts to be concerned about are the host, detergents, pressure washer, and tips. Knowing which tip to use for which job can go a long way to getting the results you want from power washing.

Let us look at a few different ways of using your pressure washing equipment.

When pressure washing your deck, it is a good idea to have the right tips on hand. The wrong tip and water pressure can ruin a deck in a hurry. Believe me; I have seen a lot of splintered or ruined decks because the person was using the wrong pressure, wrong chemicals, or wrong tip on their pressure washer. They just picked it up from the rental shop and went to town on their deck!

The main thing to remember when pressure washing a deck, is that rarely more than 1500 PSI is needed. You still must be careful though; even at this pressure you can still do damage to wood that has been wet or is already soft.

Using the right tip is also important for pressure washing your deck. As water exits the tip it goes into what is called a “fan” with the degree of the tip angle determining the fan size. No angle would be a fan size of zero, which is just a straight stream of water. For most deck wood, a 40’ to 60’ degree fan (tip) size is usually fine and recommended. Also, never engage the pressure washer trigger while you have the tip against the surface you are washing, always pull the trigger away and then bring the fan to the surface.

It is important to use the correct detergent or cleaner when washing a deck also. Remember, it is the four elements of basic pressure washing, including the chemical reaction of the cleaner, which should break down the dirt and grime, not the pressure of the water alone.

This outline of equipment used when power washing your deck is only a brief overview. We’ll be discussion in more detail the proper steps in washing your deck in a later post.

Learn how to build a LOW PRESSURE roof cleaning rig

Choosing the right detergent or pressure washer soap is one of the most important things when using a pressure or power washer. The right detergent greatly adds to the ability of the process to loosen dirt, stains, mildew, or whatever you are trying to clean off. For example, if mold is a big issue, then moldzyme works the best. Having the right chemical for the job means better success. Just like having the right pressure and temperature.

For pre-mixed soap packs and detergents for any washing job, check out Karcher SoapPacs (We especially love the degreaser).

Think about it, certain stains or items that you are trying to clean off have certain chemical makeup. So wouldn’t it just make sense that the detergent would be created to greatly add to the cleaning process for that particular job? Just like soap that cuts grease of your hands after working no your car, power washer soap acts as the same thing.

There are several different types of pressure washing detergents, most generally there are powder and liquid forms. Liquid comes either in concentrated or ready to use containers whereas powders are pre-packaged packages that dissolve once their dropped into your power washer’s water tank. The premixed formulas allow you to add the soap or detergent directly to the surface you are cleaning before or while you are spraying. A 10:1 dilution is the norm for concentrated detergents and should be mixed according to the manufacturers suggestions.

Powder power washing detergents or soaps

Powder detergents (soaps) are most often degreaser tabs. There are many types on the market and we've had great success with all of the Karcher soap packs products. They're supper easy to use! These generally come in a 12-pac and works on brick, vinyl siding, windows, garage doors, decks, everything. The nice thing about these packs is they're already pre-measured so you know you're getting the right amount. (Plus, there's really no better known brand in the business than Karcher)

So check out the easy to use Karcher soap packs

Liquid pressure washing detergents

The range of liquid washing detergents is large. There are tons of brands out there for all different types of needs. Most brands make all sorts of cleaners for different purposes. Such as Campbell Hausfeld which makes Car & Boat Wash, Concrete Cleaner, Deck & Fence Wash, General Purpose Cleaner, Heavy-Duty Degreaser, and House & Siding Wash.

Some other popular brands are: Karcher, Simple Green and Central Wash.

Different applications require different formulas for things such as fences, decks, vehicles, house exteriors and siding, concrete driveways, etc. Choosing the right detergent will make your pressure washing job a lot easier.

Remember how pressure washing works? Making it important to have the correct chemicals and detergents present for the right job. If you are trying to clean off dirty car oil from the driveway with a detergent made for dirty siding, chances are it’s not going to work very good because you’re missing one of the key ingredients. The right detergent!

Making You're Own Pressure Washer Detergent

You’d be amazing at how easy it is to create your own pressure washer detergent. Here’s a great all-purpose detergent you can make for using with most pressure washer jobs around your home. The use of bleach in this solution is the key in killing the mold or mildew that begins growing on most wood surfaces that are exposed to moisture and outdoor elements.

What you’ll need: 1/3 Cup of laundry soap (powered), 2/3 cup all purpose household cleanser (again powered), a quart of bleach (liquid) and a gallon of water. One large bucket.

Mix all the ingredients in the bucket (obviously it will need to be larger than a gallon, five gallon buckets work the best). Make sure to mix slowly so you don’t just end up with a bucket full of suds. This mixture will be your actual pressure washer detergent.

I like to use hot water and pre-wash any surface before hitting it with the detergent or chemical mixture. This loosens most dirt and mildew and gets it nice and wet so the detergent can really go to work. It’s also a good idea to cover up and flowers or shrubs as the bleach may have a negative affect on these types of plants that are more susceptible to harsh chemicals. I’ve never had too much trouble with grass and generally don’t worry about covering it up.

Now you’re ready to go! Just pour the pressure washer detergent into the chemical dispenser of your pressure washing equipment and wash away! Be sure to thoroughly rinse the chemical dispenser when through and go back over the surface again with just water to rinse off residual bleach and soap. The water should start running free of suds and a soapy look once the rinse is complete.

Clearing Mold from Wooden Fences with Pressure Washing Detergent Mixture of Oxygen Bleach and H2O

For clearing mold from wooden fences or siding, I use a simple oxygen bleach water mixture (I don’t like chlorine bleach as it can be harsh on stains and color). Oxygen bleach works best for actually killing the mildew and keeping it from returning too quickly. Simply using water only temporarily washes the mildew off, but it’s still there. I use a simple mixture of ¼ cup powered oxygen bleach to a gallon of water.

If if you're looking for a new pressure washer, check out our pressure washer reviews.

Most power washer soap dispenser are in the power washer themselves. Usually within the container attached to they have a feed tube with a filter that sits in a bucket. Either one works fairly well. Personally, we like the soap dispensers that are tubes running quite a long length; that way you're able to only use power washing soap when you really need it and the container isn't always in the way.

Many people like to use a pressure washer to clean their vehicle. In the long wrong, purchasing a pressure washer for car cleaning can save you money (depending on how often you wash your car).

Not only are pressure washers good for cleaning vehicles, but cleaning garages and driveways as well. If you’re anything like me, once you start washing, you’ll find you can’t stop. There’s something appealing about seeing years of dirt and grime getting washed away.

Ok, back to washing your vehicle. This should be done at least every few weeks. Washing your vehicle often can help protect it from wear and tear from the weather and other elements such as, sun exposure, acid rain, cold, salty air, and road salt. Most importantly, do not forget to pressure wash your vehicle in the winter months. Road salt can cause great damage if left on your vehicle. Pressure washers work great for getting to the hard to reach places underneath your vehicle’s engine and chassis.

An important thing to remember when using a pressure washer, is depending on the strength of your washer, it may damage the paint if you get too close. Make sure you know what settings to use and are familiar with the amount of pressure your washer provides. It is a good idea to practice with the trigger and get comfortable using your washer before you start in on your vehicle. Also, for added control, it is always a good idea to use both hands when spraying.

Soaps to use when pressure washing your vehicle

Do not use laundry soap or dishwater detergent on your vehicle. The use of improper soaps can dull or even ruin your car or trucks finish. Only use soap or detergents made specifically for vehicles or that you are sure are safe to use on automotive paint.

Be Careful when power washing!

Always use caution when using a pressure or power washer. The amount of force coming out of the end of the washer can seriously injure someone. The pressure can be so high that it has even been known to cut or lacerate the skin. So never point the nozzle towards someone.

With the large SUV’s these days, I see people all the time standing on ladders to wash the top of their vehicles. This isn’t the safest way of doing this, especially when holding a power washer. The force coming out of the washer can cause you to become off balance and fall off the ladder.

Getting the most from power washing with small areas

Once you’re ready to start washing, start on a small area to get the feel of how it’s working. And again, make sure you’re using cleaning solutions that are approved for powerwashers. The optimal distance for spraying is approx. 4 feet away. If you need more pressure to get rid of some dead bugs or dirt, go ahead and move closer but pay attention to what you are doing, you don’t want to damage the paint. Most generally, an angle of around 30 degrees works the best.

Personally, I always start on the bottom of the car first. Underneath to get all the big stuff before moving to the top. Working in little areas as I go to get the best clean possible. I sort of pretend like I’m spray painting my car with each section overlapping the previous one a little bit.

Pressure washing can be fun and used for all sorts of things. Like I mentioned earlier, once you get started it is hard to stop. Once I startup my pressure washer, I often find myself walking around trying to see what else I can wash!