Homemade Pressure Washing Chemicals

White Vinegar

• White vinegar is one of the most common household cleansers. Its weak acidity makes it safe to use on natural surfaces such as wood. White vinegar is also a natural deodorizer. Unlike other cleaning products that rely on perfuming agents to cover odors, white vinegar actually absorbs unwanted smells. Mixing white vinegar with water for use in your pressure washer is an effective way to remove small spots of mold and mildew.

Bleach

• Bleach is a popular cleaning chemical because of its ability to brighten white surfaces and clothing. Bleach is also a powerful sanitizing agent. This makes it useful for removing large areas of mold, mildew or algae. Using water alone is effective in rinsing away surface grime, but the microorganisms that cause the buildup often embed in the wood or siding you're trying to clean. Mixing bleach into your pressure washer will kill the growth permanently.

Detergent

• Another homemade pressure washer chemical additive is detergent. Water alone is not as effective in removing dirt and grime. Detergent helps break down the buildup and rinses clean. There are a number of pressure washer detergents available, but laundry detergent and dishwasher soap can make effective substitutes. You must carefully monitor their use because they can cake inside the washer's spray nozzle and over time could permanently damage the mechanism.

Cleaning Cocktails

• Although several chemicals are good pressure chemicals on their own, a more effective strategy for homeowners is to create a cleaning cocktail for use in their washers. Mixtures of laundry detergent, powdered kitchen cleansers, bleach and water are useful because they address several issues, involving the removal of built-up grime and the disinfection of unsightly microbes such as mold, mildew and algae. Dishwasher rinse aids added to water used for rinsing help water drain from windows and siding and prevent spotting.