Pressure washing with bleach may sound like an effective way to clean surfaces, but the results won't be satisfactory without the proper mixture. Like most potent chemicals, bleach works well as a cleaning agent with pressure washers to remove mold, mildew, or grime from any surface. However, the chemical can damage vegetation, corrode metal, and fade colors from clothing; hence, it is not a universal cleaner.
When appropriately used, bleach simplifies your pressure washing tasks without any complications. It should be noted that combining bleach with water is not so effective in cleaning tough dirt from surfaces because the water will stain the surface, causing spots and an uneven finish. On the other hand, mixing a bleach solution with a bleach-compatible detergent will get you even coverage and adequate results.
Bleach is classified under a category of chemical compounds referred to as oxidizers, and as you may know, oxidizer divides cell membranes and destroys cell proteins. Using bleach on organic pigments and dyes like food stains breaks those pigments at the cellular level, dissolving them. Furthermore, the bleach whitens any fabric or substance it gets in contact with by eliminating the coloring.
In the case of mold or mildew-ridden surfaces, bleach gets rid of them the same way it does for the organic stains aforementioned. Mold and mildew are typically small plants that bleach can eliminate in no time. Nonetheless, as competent as the substance is, it also has adverse effects on human skin; hence, you need to follow the helpful tips listed below to guide you on pressure washing with bleach.
5 Helpful Tips On Pressure Washing With Bleach
- Anytime you go about pressure washing with bleach, ensure you have all the necessary pressure washer safety equipment, including waterproof boots, apron, water-resistant gloves, and googles. These gears will protect your skin from exposure to the splashes of the harsh chemical.
- Whenever the bleach solution splatters on your skin, adhere to the manufacturer's guide on how to go about first aid treatment. The directions usually include rinsing the splash off with lots of clear water from a nearby extension hose or tap.
- Pressure washing with bleach outside your home, especially in areas of grass and vegetation, needs proper attention. This means when using the mixture in those parts, ensure you flush the surrounding vegetation with large quantities of clean water to prevent the overflow from the pressure washer from harming the plants.
- Never mix bleach with another cleaning substance when pressure washing with bleach. You can only combine a compatible detergent with the bleach solution. Mixing bleach with acid or ammonia, which is usually present in most cleaning agents, can cause explosions, severe skin damage, or even burn your lung tissues.
- Always store your bleach solutions in extremely clean containers that have not been used for other compounds except you thoroughly wash those canisters.
Conclusion
Pressure washing with bleach is an adequate cleaning process as bleach is an excellent eliminator of unwanted cells, thus making it a great disinfectant and cleanser. Then again, make sure you adhere to proper instructions to enjoy the best results.