The beauty of Bleach, Water and Surfactant
Getting your soft wash mix completely wrong will lead to streaking, plant damage, weak cleaning and reoccurring callback.....but not for the reasons we want. Professional contractors don't guess, they dial in the perfect ratios based on the surfaces being cleaned, growth level and method of application.
Our guide breakdown exact soft washing mix ratios used by professionals. Simple, clear and true.
Every effective soft wash mix has three components
- Sodium Hypochlorite (Bleach, pool shock, liquid chlorine) Does the sanitizing cleaning
- Water (controls the concentration)
- Surfactant (controls dwell time, cling and rinsing)
Understanding Bleach Strength
Professionals buy from bleach suppliers (not grocery stores) These are usually 10% to 12% depending on location. Your final mix depends on what ratio you control.
Common Pro mix ranges: 1%-2% Get us a maintenance cleaning wash
3%-4% Heavy organic staining
5%-6% Roof cleaning
Never go stronger than 6% unless you have enough practice out in the field. Best to start slow and understand the mixing ratios available.
These ratios can be reached through a proportioning system or by liquid ratios if done in smaller batches. When doing many jobs throughout the day a proportioning system is a must as logistically it wont make any sense to carry water in a tank when the water is at your customers house. By carrying more chemical you have the ability to cover more jobs assuming your setup has the capability for it.
Side note: Ivan's Pressure Cleaning Services uses 1% everyday to do house washes, fence cleanings and post treat flatwork with a downstream injector with a ball valve to easy turn on and off, Easy rinsing. Our proportioner system is currently GF Valves and is used daily for roof soft washing all over south florida. To water the landscape we use our 8gpm pressure washer sometimes we use two as needed (for homes with no gutters or lot of sensitive landscape).
Ratios (explained in gallons as batches of a 5 Gallon bucket, assuming 10% strength)
1% Mix Ratio .5 gal BLEACH + 4.5 gal WATER 4oz Surfactant
2% Mix Ratio 1 gal BLEACH + 4 gal WATER 5oz Surfactant
3% Mix Ratio 1.5 BLEACH + 3.5 gal WATER 6oz Surfactant
4% Mix Ratio 2 gal BLEACH + 3 gal WATER 7oz Surfactant
5% Mix Ratio 2.5 gal BLEACH + 2.5 gal WATER 8oz Surfactant
6% Mix Ratio (Danger Zone, handle with tons of care)
3 gal BLEACH + 2 gal WATER 10oz Surfactant
Disclaimer: Always verify bleach strength before mixing. Test in an inconspicuous area. Never allow mixes to dry on surfaces. Follow manufacturer guidelines for roofs and siding. Ratios may vary based on equipment, injector draw and environmental conditions.
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