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What kind of soap to use for pressure washer?

A pressure washer works wonders when it comes to getting rid of heavy dirt. Usually, it just takes a good rinse with a pressure washer to loosen up the debris. But every now and then, you will encounter a stubborn stain that just doesn’t want to budge—even when you are using the highest pressure level […]

by Keval Shah

Hotsy

Hot Water Pressure Washer vs Steam Cleaner – Which Is Better?

If you are weighing your options when it comes to high-intensity cleaning solutions, you’ll have two main options: hot water pressure washers and steam cleaners. While steam was the best way to clean back in the day, there is evidence suggesting high-pressure hot water washers are actually more efficient. Wondering which of these two options […]

by Keval Shah

Hotsy Detergents

What kind of soap to use for pressure washer?

by Keval Shah

Hotsy

Hot Water Pressure Washer vs Steam Cleaner – Which Is Better?

by Keval Shah

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

Hotsy Detergents

What kind of soap to use for pressure washer?

When dealing with stubborn stains, using pure water might not be enough. You will need some extra help from soaps and detergents to really cut through extreme gunk and grime. But finding the right kind of soap for a pressure washer is another complicated task. Using the wrong kind of soap might end up damaging your pressure washer.

If you aren’t sure what type of soap to use for your pressure washer, keep reading! We will provide you with everything you need to know about pressure washer soaps, including the best pressure washer soaps to use for your personal cleaning job.

Why Does It Matter What Kind Of Soap To Use For A Pressure Washer?

Before you even think about using soap in your pressure washer, you first need to identify whether your pressure washer has a detergent tank. Not all pressure washers come equipped with a detergent tank. Make sure to read your pressure washer’s manual before using soap in your pressure washer.

To answer the question, though, using a soap that isn’t specifically built for a pressure washer can hinder its performance. If you were wondering if you can use dish soap, laundry detergent, or bleach in your pressure washer, you might want to think again. Here’s why:

What Happens When You Use Dish Soap In Your Pressure Washers?

There have been many instances when people have tried to use Dawn dish soap or laundry detergent to create their own pressure washer soap. Although it is possible to use the two in your pressure washer, you risk clogging it if you don’t dilute them. And even if you do dilute the Dawn dish soap or detergent, their cleaning power still isn’t as strong as actual pressure washer soap.

You’ll notice that dish soap and laundry detergent are less effective and efficient at getting rid of gunk. It might not even make a big difference compared to when you’re using plain water. That’s why it’s important to use specialized pressure washer soaps. They’re made to enhance the cleaning capacity of the pressure washer—not hinder it.

What Happens When You Use Bleach In Your Pressure Washers?

Another thing people try to use in their pressure washers is bleach. This is incredibly risky since bleach contains harsh chemicals that can damage your pressure washer’s O-ring, wand, hoses, and pumps. The worst part is, if your pressure washer gets damaged by the bleach it often voids the warranty of your pressure washer.

So, Why Does It Matter What Kind Of Soap You Use In Your Pressure Washer?

If you want to keep your pressure washer operating at optimal performance and get your cleaning job done as efficiently and effectively as possible—you should use soaps and detergent specially formulated for pressure washer use. It’s that simple.

Why risk damaging your pressure washer with homemade pressure washer soaps when there are plenty of pressure washer cleaners on the market? Not to mention, they’re also specifically made to effectively clean surfaces without damaging your pressure washing machines.

The Right Kind Of Soap To Use In Your Pressure Washer Depends On The Situation

Pressure washer soap is not one size fits all— every cleaning job requires a different type of pressure washer soap depending on the scenario. Much like when you’re choosing the pressure washer itself, choosing the right pressure washer soap all boils down to the type of material you’re cleaning and how heavy the dirt or stains are on that surface.

The type of pressure washer soap used on a vinyl siding would be different from the one you would use on a concrete driveway. Different types of materials and stains require different pressure washing chemicals. What works for one material or situation might not work efficiently for another and it might even damage it.

To avoid wasting money and time on the wrong pressure washer soap, we’ve created this guide to help you choose the right pressure washer detergent for your needs. For the best pressure washer soaps on the market, continue reading below.

What Are The Different Types Of Pressure Washer Soap?

There are tons of specialized pressure washer detergents available on the market, but the best pressure washer detergents can be found right here at Hotsy Equipment!

We have a wide range of pressure washer soaps fit for every type of material and stain. No matter how dirty or delicate the surface you’re cleaning is, you’ll definitely find a Hotsy detergent best fit for your personal cleaning project.

Here’s a rundown of the differences between each one, so you can choose the right Hotsy detergent for you:

Breakthrough

This pressure washer concentrate is typically used for breaking through crude oil and caked-on wheel grease. If you’re using this on painted surfaces, this pressure washer detergent can restore oxidized paints and make them look good as new. It’s great for cleaning vinyl sidings, soffits, gutters, garage floors, and driveways.

Ripper I

Looking for a powerful detergent that can cut through grease without damaging or corroding the surface of your property? The Ripper I is a non-caustic detergent specially formulated for cleaning heavy equipment, machinery, and trucks. It works its magic to clean off-road and grease-clogged equipment while handling hard-to-remove road film on tractor-trailers with ease.

Power-Shine

Over time our vehicles start looking dull and aged. To bring them back to their original bright and glossy state, use our Power-Shine pressure washer detergent. This concentrated vehicle cleaner produces rich suds that increases the dwell time of the cleaning agents and maximize its cleaning capabilities. Say goodbye to road film and oxidized paint.

Carbon-Ate

For tough cleaning jobs, such as food and grease build-up, engine degreasing, parts cleaning, road film, and hard-to-clean vehicles – Hotsy’s Carbon-Ate pressure washer detergent is a perfect choice. This detergent works well even with a hot water pressure washer so you can thoroughly clean and get rid of tough stains on different surfaces.

Transport

As you probably already assumed, our Transport pressure washer detergent is the perfect soap for all types of vehicles—cars, trucks, busses, RV’s, trailers, tractors—you name it! There’s no vehicle this Hotsy detergent can’t clean. It’s formulated specifically to help restore stainless steel, aluminum, glass, and painted surfaces to their original condition.

Hotsy Brown

The Hotsy Brown is our most powerful pressure washer degreaser and offers fast thorough cleaning for carbon-based deposits such as road film, exhaust stains, dirt, and grease. It’s the best pressure washer detergent for getting rid of really stubborn stains and deeply embedded dirt.

How To Use Pressure Washer Detergent Properly

Now that you know the different types of pressure washer detergents available, it is time you learn how to use them properly. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use a pressure washer with detergent:

Locate your pressure washer’s detergent tank. Most modern pressure washers should have their own built-in detergent tank and it’s typically a rectangular container with a bottle cap on top.
Once you’ve successfully located the thank, pour in your chosen detergent in the pressure washer detergent tank.
If you aren’t already using the black soap nozzle, switch out your current nozzle. The black nozzle is the most efficient pressure washer nozzle to use for applying soap onto surfaces because of its large orifice and low-pressure water spray.
Spray the detergent using an upward motion to prevent streaking.
When you’ve completely covered the surface with power washer detergent let it sit on the surface for at least 10 minutes before using rinsing it away with a higher pressure nozzle.

It’s that easy! For more tips to keep your pressure washers in tip-top condition, here’s a guide we wrote to help you understand how to use soap with a pressure washer safely and effectively.

Find All Your Pressure Washing Essentials At Hotsy!

Whether it’s pressure washers or detergents you’re looking for, there is only one place to get all the best pressure washing essentials—and that’s at Hotsy Equipment.

Hotsy is the number one online pressure washer store to date. With over 40 years of experience in the industry and thousands of customers served, we trust that our pressure washing equipment will not disappoint.

Aside from providing a wide range of pressure washer detergents, we also offer over a hundred different Hotsy Pressure Washers in San Antonio. We have one of the largest collections of pressure washers online and they’re great for all kinds of use such as commercial and residential.

You can find both gas-powered and electrical hot water pressure washers with PSI ratings ranging from 1000 to 4000+. With this many options, you’re sure to find the perfect pressure washer to complete your cleaning job!

Not sure which Hotsy pressure washer is best for you? Feel free to contact us through email, send us a chat, or call our number directly, and we’ll gladly give you a recommendation. Get your very own Hotsy Equipment or avail of our rental service today and say goodbye to any dirt or debris that’s been getting in your way!

by Keval Shah

Hotsy

Hot Water Pressure Washer vs Steam Cleaner – Which Is Better?

Wondering which of these two options is better for you? You’ve come to the right place. Because today, we’re going to break down the key differences between these two types of cleaning solutions.

We’ll then take a look at what the experts consider to be the best of the two, so you can arm yourself with the right equipment for even the toughest cleaning jobs. Let’s dive right in!

A Brief History Of Steam Cleaners and Hot Water Pressure Washers

These two cleaning solutions share a lot of similarities, but we want to start by examining their history along with some of the differences they have on a technical level. This will help you understand which one is really better than the other.

When they originally came on the market over 50 years ago, steam cleaners operated at 2-4 GPM (gallons per minute) and 100-150 PSI. They were either diesel or LP fired. These used a heating coil to heat the to 320-360°. At the time, this offers unprecedented levels of cleaning. As pumps got better, so too did these steam cleaners.

As time went on, though, it became evident that heating the water to these higher temperatures but keeping it in a liquid state offered even better cleaning capabilities. Thus, the birth of the hot water high-pressure washer. These new cleaning solutions blew the steam cleaner out of the water in terms of efficiency and effectiveness.

Because of this, many people consider the hot water high-pressure washer to be the better option for tough cleaning jobs. But is this actually true? Let’s move on, and look at some of the advantages each cleaning solution offers.

Steam Cleaner Advantages

Steam cleaning was actually the #1 way to clean tough jobs back in the 1900s. These steamers will heat water past the boiling point to the point it vaporizes, emitting the “steam” you see these produce.

When using these, you’ll focus the jet of steam on the surface you’re trying to clean. Not only will steam remove the mess itself, but it also does a great job of sanitizing in the process! This means it will help kill bacteria, organic waste, and other undesirable microbes. Because of this, you’ll commonly see this type of cleaning used on children’s playgrounds or animal enclosures.

A huge advantage of steam cleaning is its cost-effectiveness. These cleaners are known for using far less water than hot water pressure washers, which might factor into your decision. Plus, you don’t usually need to use any sort of detergent when using a steam cleaner There is also no runoff to concern yourself with, as there is with a pressure washer.

Hot Water Pressure Washer Advantages

Now, let’s discuss the hot water pressure washer in San Antonio – and its unique advantages. You can think of a pressure washer as more of a brute force approach to cleaning. The powerful jet will blast away grime and oil – cutting through even the toughest stains and messes.

When you add the hot water when pressure washing, that’s when you get the most intense, efficient form of cleaning possible. Whether you’re dealing with caked-on mud, oil, grease, chemical stains – you name it, a hot water pressure washer can handle it.

When using a pressure washer, you also have the advantage of a more concentrated stream. This helps you get into tougher, hard-to-reach areas and pinpoint your cleaning for greater efficiency.

Speaking of hard-to-reach areas – most pressure washers come with a wand and ultra-long hose that expands your reach. This means you’re able to clean up high without having to climb on a ladder.

This makes pressure washers the ideal choice for cleaning roofs, undersides of vehicles and machinery, or tall pieces of equipment that would otherwise require you to climb and endanger your wellbeing while cleaning. If you want to learn more about how hot water pressure washers work, check out our complete guide.

Incorporating Detergent With Your Hot Water Pressure Washer Unlocks Even Greater Cleaning

With a hot water pressure washer, you are able to fill it up with detergent. These specialized cleaning formulas make a great piece of cleaning equipment even better. This will come into play when cleaning very specific types of jobs.

For example, there are detergents formulated specifically as degreasers, asphalt removers, paint removers, or sanitizing solutions. With this type of specificity, you are able to unlock the best cleaning possible.

These Days, You Can Even Add A Steam Kit To Get The Best Of Both Worlds!

Another really cool thing about pressure washers is that these days, you’re able to add on your own steam kit. This will allow you to use your pressure washer as a type of steam cleaner. This is a great approach if you’re cleaning gas and fuel tanks before welding, for example.

What About Cold Water Pressure Washers?

Maybe you’ve heard of cold water pressure washers, and you’re wondering where they fit into this topic. What are the differences between hot and cold water pressure washers?

Cold water pressure washers are great in their own regard, but the colder water makes them a bit less effective at removing grime and muck. With that said, they are a bit more efficient than their hotter counterpart. But if you’ve got an exceptionally tough job, you’ll want to stick with the hot water high-pressure washer!

Are Hot Water Pressure Washers Really Better Than Steam Cleaners?

Now comes the big question you wanted to find the answer to today: which is better, a hot water pressure washer or a steam cleaner? Is one necessarily better than the other? The answer, which you may have been able to guess by now, is that it depends entirely on your specific cleaning job.

There are tons of scenarios where choosing a pressure washer will be the right choice. On the other hand, there may be instances where a steam cleaner is the correct approach.

If you have a job where water access is limited, or you’re trying to keep runoff to a minimum, you’ll want to go with the steam cleaner. These use as little as .08 gallons of water per minute! The steam cleaner is also probably the right approach if you want to avoid the use of chemicals, and the job doesn’t require any special detergents.

Conversely, a pressure washer is the best choice if you have a tough job with all sorts of caked-on grease, grime, etc. You’ll want the cleaning power and efficiency only a hot water pressure washer can provide. When it comes to industrial types of cleaning – you’ll almost always want to pick the hot water pressure washer. There are so many different things a hot water pressure washer can be used for.

We want to summarize this section by reiterating that there are some instances when steam cleaning will be the better option. On the other hand, certain circumstances will require a hot water pressure washer.

But, when it comes to tough cleaning jobs and efficiency – yes, hot water pressure washers are truly the best option. Let’s look at some examples of why that is.

The Verdict: Hot Water High-Pressure Washing Systems Are More Efficient & Effective

When it comes to efficiency, you really can’t beat a hot water pressure washer. These are capable of cleaning tough messes as much as 7-10 times faster than a steam cleaner! That’s a huge chunk of time you’ll save by investing in a hot water pressure washer over a steam cleaner.

But, you’ll really only be able to enjoy all the benefits of a pressure washer if you go with the very best of the best. And, that’s what we offer here at Hotsy.

Find The Best Hot Water Pressure Washers and Cleaning Essentials At Hotsy!

Now you know that for most tough cleaning jobs, hot water pressure washers are the answer. And there is no better place to buy or rent pressure washers than here at Hotsy!

We have a reputation for offering the best pressure washer store out there, whether you’re a business or an individual. We’ve got over 35 cold water pressure washers to choose from along with 80+ hot water high-pressure washer models, so you’re sure to find something that fits your needs.

Not sure which one is right for you? Don’t hesitate to reach out! With over 40 years of experience in this industry, we’re here to help you find the perfect pressure washers for your unique needs.

From cold water pressure washers to hot water pressure washers, and even pressure washer trailers – we’ve got it all! In our stores and on our website, you’ll also find our line of premium detergents to help maximize the cleaning power that Hotsy pressure washers provide.

So what are you waiting for? We serve all of south Texas, so stop by a Hotsy dealer today or give us a call – we’re happy to help you get set up with efficient, affordable cleaning solutions for any job.

by Keval Shah

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Half Sized Blog Element (Single Author Style)

Half Sized Blog Element (Multi Author Style)

What kind of soap to use for pressure washer?

Hot Water Pressure Washer vs Steam Cleaner – Which Is Better?

What kind of soap to use for pressure washer?

Hot Water Pressure Washer vs Steam Cleaner – Which Is Better?

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

What kind of soap to use for pressure washer?

Why Does It Matter What Kind Of Soap To Use For A Pressure Washer?

What Happens When You Use Dish Soap In Your Pressure Washers?

What Happens When You Use Bleach In Your Pressure Washers?

So, Why Does It Matter What Kind Of Soap You Use In Your Pressure Washer?

The Right Kind Of Soap To Use In Your Pressure Washer Depends On The Situation

What Are The Different Types Of Pressure Washer Soap?

Breakthrough

Ripper I

Power-Shine

Carbon-Ate

Transport

Hotsy Brown

How To Use Pressure Washer Detergent Properly

Find All Your Pressure Washing Essentials At Hotsy!

Hot Water Pressure Washer vs Steam Cleaner – Which Is Better?

A Brief History Of Steam Cleaners and Hot Water Pressure Washers

Steam Cleaner Advantages

Hot Water Pressure Washer Advantages

Incorporating Detergent With Your Hot Water Pressure Washer Unlocks Even Greater Cleaning

These Days, You Can Even Add A Steam Kit To Get The Best Of Both Worlds!

What About Cold Water Pressure Washers?

Are Hot Water Pressure Washers Really Better Than Steam Cleaners?

The Verdict: Hot Water High-Pressure Washing Systems Are More Efficient & Effective

Find The Best Hot Water Pressure Washers and Cleaning Essentials At Hotsy!

#1 Hotsy Dealer in South Texas

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