How to Pressure Wash a House with Bleach: What the Pros Say

Bleach solutions are a powerful cleaning agent for getting rid of molds and mildew off the walls of your house. Applying the bleach solution may seem a tad tiring. Luckily, if you own a pressure washer, the cleaning job can become a lot simpler as most pressure washers have a feature to be filled with bleach or any other chemical.

How to Pressure Wash a House with Bleach:

Bleach is a strong cleaning agent that can break down and remove tough stains off the walls of your house. To pressure wash a house with bleach, mix a bleaching solution with water in the correct ratio (typically 4 to 1). Afterward, pour this solution into the detergent tank, or if it isn’t available, use a siphon hose to draw it from a bucket. You can also apply the solution manually, and pressure wash it with water afterward.

In this article, I’ll take you through how to pressure wash your house with bleach, safety tips, suggested tools, and the proper methods for getting the best results. Whether you’re a DIY expert or a novice to pressure washing, this post will equip you with the knowledge you need to do the task successfully.

Can I Use Bleach to Pressure Wash My House?

You can use bleach to pressure wash your house. However, if bleach is not properly diluted before use, it can be detrimental to your pressure washer, your health, and the environment.

Bleach is a highly potent chemical that can dissolve surface coatings, causing browning, fading, or even peeling. If not used carefully, bleach can harm the environment, your health, and the plants and animals around you. In addition, due to its corrosive nature, bleach can also damage the pump seals and O-rings of your pressure washer.

How to create the right bleach mix?

The best method to create a bleaching solution for cleaning is mixing one part of bleach with four parts of water. This will ensure that the bleaching solution is not too concentrated to cause environmental and health hazards. This bleach solution is filled in the detergent tank, after which it can be sprayed wherever required.

Using a Siphon Hose:

Most old pressure washer models do not feature a detergent tank. In that case, you can use a siphon hose to draw this bleaching solution. In this case, fill a separate, large enough bucket with the bleaching solution and place the siphon hose in the solution for some minutes, as this would fill the entire hose and remove any air. Then, attach one end to the pressure washer and let the other end remain in the bucket. Turn your pressure washer on and press the nozzle to get a spray of the bleaching solution.

Precautions:

While using bleach, you should also ensure that it is applied only to the surfaces where it is needed, such as the growth site of molds and fungi. Using it on walls and floors is unnecessary and not recommended. I recommend using a light detergent mixed with water for the rest of your house to clean all the dust and dirt buildup efficiently.

What Can I Mix with Bleach to Pressure Wash My House?

To make a cleaning solution with bleach for your house, mix it with four parts water. Be careful not to mix bleach with acid detergents as it can be harmful.

Don’t mix bleach with vinegar or ammonia when pressure washing your home. Bleach is a strong acidic chemical; combining it with other acidic substances can produce harmful fumes, leading to breathing issues, inflammation, or respiratory diseases. Also, mixing bleach with other chemicals can cause an explosion or fire.

Pro tip:

Make a bleaching solution by mixing bleach with water in a ratio of 1:4. Additionally, you can add some mild soap to increase the cleaning ability. This solution will effectively remove stains, dirt, and grime from outside surfaces without damaging them.

How Much Bleach Do I Use to Pressure Wash My House?

When pressure washing your house, the optimal bleach dilution ratio is 1 part bleach to 4 parts water.

However, using bleach for cleaning is usually not suggested because it might harm your home’s exterior, including the paintwork, siding, and landscaping. It would be best to use it only where required, such as for dislodging fungal settlements.

Bleach should only be applied to hard surfaces like concrete, stones, or pavers if you choose to use it. Before applying the solution across the entire surface, testing it on an inconspicuous, small area is something I highly recommend. 

What Should I Spray My House with Before Pressure Washing?

A pre-wash solution is perfect for cleaning your house with a pressure washer. These solutions help loosen up and dislodge dirt, grime, and other tough strains, after which a pressure washer can wash them away.

The following types of pre-wash solutions are available in the market. You can check their utility and buy the one that suits your needs.

1. Alkaline-Based Cleaning Products: 

Such cleaners work well in dissolving oil and grease stains, so surfaces like driveways, garages, and decks are the best places to apply them. They can also be used on surfaces like brick, stone, and concrete, but they may discolor or harm materials if applied for too long or with too much concentration.

2. Acid-based Cleaners: 

Acid-based cleaners are more suitable for dislodging inorganic deposits or oxidation from surfaces. They can also brighten up metals and remove the tarnishings from metallic surfaces such as metal doors, window grills, etc.

Avoid using acid-based cleaners on brickwork and limestone, as it can harm these surface finishes. Also, you should be careful if you have respiratory issues, as these cleaners may be corrosive.

3. Biodegradable Cleaners: 

These cleaners work on various surfaces, such as ceramics, metals, plastics, and brickwork. Their biggest advantage is that they’re eco-friendly and do not harm the environment, and being bio-degradable means that bacteria and fungi can break them down.

You can make your biodegradable cleaner using baking soda, vinegar, and lemon juice.

4. Oxygenated Bleach: 

Oxygenated bleach can be used to remove stains from fabrics, carpeting, and upholstery and can also be used to disinfect items.

Read the product guidelines and select the appropriate pre-wash solution for the cleaning surface. In most cases, the exterior of your house can be cleaned with a pressure washer that uses water and a mild detergent specially formulated for pressure washing.

What Is the Best Cleaner to Pressure Wash a House?

To pressure wash a house, using multiple cleaners best suited for a specific type of material is better. Following are some cleaning agents that are frequently used for pressure washing, and they are quite effective:

● Water: 

Plain water is one of the best ways to clean surfaces like porches, shelves, etc. You can rinse the surface with water before or after using the cleaning solution, as per your choice, to ensure that all dirt and cleaning solution are wiped out properly.

● Mild Detergent: 

Use a mild detergent for pressure washing when cleaning surfaces heavily soiled with dirt or grime but do not require a strong chemical cleaner.

Mild detergents are ideal for cleaning delicate surfaces such as painted or stained wood or removing light to medium dirt and stains from concrete or masonry.

● Oxygen Bleach: 

You can also use oxygen bleach as it is quite effective for treating all kinds of stained surfaces, especially algae. It is also quite eco-friendly and safe to use on all sorts of surfaces, and it helps remove dirt, grime, and stains of all kinds.

● Specialty Cleaners: 

It would be best if you preferred cleaners that are suited for a specific application or specialty cleaners. For example, acid or alkaline-based cleaners.

Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using a cleaner for pressure washing, and test a small, inconspicuous area before cleaning the entire surface. 

How Often Should a House Be Power Washed?

As a basic rule, houses should be power washed every one to three years. However, the regularity of power washing a house relies on various factors, such as the climate, the type of paneling, sunlight, and the surrounding area. It’s best to monitor how the exterior looks and plan power washing as needed.

How Long Does It Take to Power Wash a House?

The average time it takes to pressure wash a house can vary significantly based on various factors, such as the size and extent of the property, the amount of dust and grime buildup, and the type of pressure washer being used.

An average single-family home can be power washed in 2 to 6 hours, with larger houses requiring more time. Here are some additional elements that may affect the time it takes to power-wash a house:

• Size of The Residence: Larger houses will take more time to power wash than smaller ones.
• Height and Convenience: Power washing may take longer in homes with multiple stories or inaccessible locations because more caution and safety precautions may be needed.
• Level of Filth and Grime Accumulation: Cleaning houses that are extremely soiled or have extensive grime buildup may take longer since repeated pressure-washing passes may be required.
• Surface Type: The time required to complete the task may vary based on the type of surface and the cleaning chemicals or techniques used.

How Can I Pressure Wash Faster?

You can use various techniques to pressure wash faster and more efficiently. Here are a few pieces of advice:

● Choose the Right Nozzle: 

Your choice can significantly impact how quickly you can clean. A wider spray tip will cover more ground, whereas a narrower spray tip will provide a heavier stream. For cleaning details, use a tighter spray tip. Conversely, use a wider tip for larger areas.

● Work in Segments: 

Divide the project into smaller segments rather than cleaning the entire house. You’ll be able to concentrate on one thing at a time and work more quickly.

● Pre-Treat Surfaces: 

Before using a pressure washer, try pre-treating extremely soiled areas using a cleaning solution. This will help loosen dirt and grime and speed up the cleaning process.

● Use Hot Water:

If your pressure washer has a hot water setting, consider using it. Cold water takes longer to dissolve dirt and grime than hot water.

● Work from Top to Bottom: 

Begin at the top and work your way down. This will make it easier to clean without staining or dripping.

● Use A Surface Cleaner Attachment:

A surface cleaner attachment can help you clean faster by allowing you to cover a bigger area at once.

● Work with A Partner:

If possible, team up with someone. One person can operate the pressure washer to do the task more quickly and effectively while the other moves ladders or other equipment.

Please remember that pressure washing with chemicals may be harmful if you have allergies or respiratory issues, so always follow the safety precautions while cleaning.

Is It Ok to Power Wash Vinyl Siding?

Power-washing vinyl siding is generally safe as long as you take the necessary measures and stick to the suggested cleaning techniques. Vinyl siding is a low-maintenance material that can endure pressure washing without damage if the proper pressure, temperature, and techniques are used.

To power wash vinyl siding, follow these tips:

• Use A Low-Pressure Setting: To protect the siding, use a pressure washer with a maximum pressure of 1,500 to 2,000 psi.
• Check the temperature: If you use a power washer, check the temperature setting. It needs to be such that it does not harm the vinyl siding. Too low can disrupt the cleaning power, but too hot could damage the vinyl siding.
• Avoid Spraying Straight at an Angle: To avoid water being driven behind the siding and causing damage, direct the spray at a downward angle instead of directly at it.
• Use A Cleaning Agent: Before pressure washing, consider using a mild cleaning agent made for vinyl siding to help release dirt and grime. Make sure you carefully read and follow the manufacturer’s directions during washing.
• Protect Surrounding Plants and Landscaping: Use plastic sheeting or tarps to cover nearby plants or landscaping so that they are shielded from any cleaning agents or debris that may fall off the siding during cleaning.
• Wear Proper Protective Equipment: Wear protective clothing, gloves, and eye protection to shield yourself from the high-pressure spray and any cleaning agents.

You can power wash your vinyl siding safely and successfully by using these suggestions for keeping it neat and well-maintained.