Non palm damaging pressure washing solution

[BlufftonSC]

Does anyone have an experience using a pressure washing solution that will not harm the palms and other plants near my house? I'm facing an HOA fine if I don't get my siding cleaned soon, but finding a company that won't damage my landscaping is always a challenge.

Thanks!

[Darold Petty]

I pressured washed the back of my house 3 weeks ago. No problem (so far) with plants. I used "Zep commercial House and Siding cleaner" concentrate. This is available at the big box stores, usually adjacent to the the pressure washer machines. It is a pink liquid in a 1 gallon container.

The label instructions say to saturate planting areas before and after use of the cleaning solution. It does not contain phosphates, although the active ingredient is not stated. My siding was extremely dirty and this product was very helpful. It should be sprayed on under the lowest machine setting, allowed to stand for 10 minutes, then pressure washed.

You should be more concerned about physical damage by the worker, stepping on plants, or dragging the hoses through planter beds.

[BlufftonSC]

Good lead. Apparently, there's no bleach in ZEP.

Thanks, Darold

[Gonzer]

Anytime you are about to use a product whether it be a cleaner, herbicide, fungicide, etc al., Google the product name and add 'MSDS' after it. This is the Material Safety Data Sheet which outlines everything you need and should know about that product's application. Here's your Zep MSDS...http://www.mycleanli...Concentrate.pdf

Edited October 11, 2012 by Gonzer

[MattyB]

It's a good thing they fed some to some rats to make sure we know how much it takes to kill them.

[Darold Petty]

Thanks, Gonzer !

[Gonzer]

It's a good thing they fed some to some rats to make sure we know how much it takes to kill them.

Anytime a chemical is to be registered it has to have an LDS procedure done. Normally the everyday chemical we all use have the signal word 'Caution' on the label. LDS is kinda pointless in these cases unless you run out of beer for breakfast and decide to slam a few bottles of cleaner. When the signal words are either 'Warning' or 'Danger' the LDS graph takes on a whole new meaning.

[BlufftonSC]

That's for that product saftey link. Last time the guy who washed our house used water only. It was pretty dirty and too him all day. He was trashed at the end of that day in the 90 degree heat and 60% humidity. I don't want to put anybody through that again.