Cleaning using a pressure washer makes life easier, especially when dealing with accumulated dirt and stains. Pressure washers can also be used for car, for window, and any other outdoor cleaning tasks.
However, we cannot resolve many of these tasks using water and a pressure washer alone. This is where the power of soap comes into play. But the question is: can you add soap to pressure washer? Definitely! If it has a soap attachment for pressure washer.
Below is a guide on how to use soap with a pressure washer in a few easy steps.
Table of Contents
Step by Step Guide to Use a Pressure Washer With Detergent
What to prepare
- Soap for pressure washer
- Solution container
- Injection tube (for pressure washer with no built-in siphon tube)
- Pressure washer
- A low-pressure soap nozzle
Step 1: Pic/make cleaning agent for the pressure washer
Now the question is: Can you use any soap in a pressure washer? The answer will be a big NO.
There are three things to keep in mind when choosing the right soap solution for your pressure washer:
- Only use solutions formulated and certified to use for pressure washers.
- Check the label of the soap solution and look for the words “For use with high-pressure washers” or “Vehicle and Boat Pressure Wash”.
- Never use bleach-based cleaning agents as they can damage your pressure washer and even the surfaces that are being cleaned.
However, people may find buying certified pressure washer detergents too expensive, which is why some may wonder if they can create a homemade pressure washer soap—which is fine.
Ideally, it is possible to use laundry detergent in a pressure washer, given that it is phosphate-free. You just have to mix your DIY pressure soap by combining:
- Water
- A bleach-free detergent
- A cup of vinegar
Step 2: Pour the soap solution into your pressure washer.
Once you have your soap picked or made, you will have to assess the type of pressure washer you have. The important thing to consider is if it has a soap tank.
- For instance, with Dewalt pressure washer, no soap dispensing attachment is included, so you will have to buy one before proceeding.
- However, with Simpson pressure washer, a siphoning tube is attached to the machine, which can be used to draw off detergent into the pressure washer.
Set up your pressure washer as follows:
- Dilute the soap with water (if it’s concentrated). Or pour the soap directly into its tank, ready for use right away. You can read the product label to choose the proper method.
- Secure the injection tube or siphoning tube has been to the pump.
- Attach the other end of the tube to the soap solution container/tank.
- Ensure the pressure washer is in a low power mode by attaching the black low-pressure nozzle to the end of the wand, so it can drain off the detergent and start cleaning.
Step 3: Clean with a pressure washer
When washing the vertical surfaces, you should clean from top to bottom so that the dirt won’t make its way to the top again.
However, when cleaning with a pressure washer with detergent, the opposite will be true- the direction has to be from the bottom to the top to avoid streaking.
Step 4: Rinse Off Detergent Using Pressure Washer
The detergent will need a rendering time of about 10-15 minutes before being absorbed, so you have to take note of this before rinsing off.
After such time, you may now pressure wash the surface to remove the soap. To do that, turn the nozzle into a high-pressure mode, and completely drain off the remaining soap solution in the system.
Pro-tip: Rinse off oppositely. Make your way from up to down instead to avoid striping.
Conclusion
Pressure washing should make your life easier in terms of cleaning. The above steps should teach you how to use soap with a pressure washer to make cleaning surfaces more effective.
A few things to remember, however, are to choose the right kind of soap to use and not just any household soap solution; consider the type of pressure washer being used, and keep in mind the correct direction of cleaning to avoid unwanted streaks on surfaces. Happy cleaning!
