Going Green: The Benefits of Using Eco-Friendly Pressure Washing Chemicals
By now, you have probably heard about the three r’s (reduce, reuse, and recycle) that represent the foundation of preserving and nurturing our environment. Everyone can contribute to eco-friendliness in their own way. Whether it is planting trees, cutting back on water and electricity, or simply walking instead of driving, every step makes a difference toward building an eco-friendly society.
Another thing that you can start to practice is green pressure washing. Pressure washing is not dangerous for the environment, but certain chemicals can be highly hazardous for the surrounding flora. In addition, eco-friendly pressure washing chemicals offer quite a few more benefits.
What are the benefits of eco-friendly pressure washing?
Pressure washing by itself offers numerous perks regarding saving the environment, such as:
- Pressure washers use up to 75% less water compared to other cleaning methods;
- Uses less energy;
- Uses fewer chemicals;
- Extends the life of items, thus creating less waste.
Furthermore, by going the extra mile and using solely eco-friendly pressure washing chemicals, you can influence the environment by:
- protection of local ecosystems;
- fewer danger threats like flammability;
- fewer health risks.
With a couple of minor changes, you can make drastic improvements toward preserving your local ecosystem.
What eco-friendly pressure washer soaps are available in the market today?
Although the market is flooded with detergents that have toxic compounds, there are still various environmentally friendly soaps to choose from. If your detergent of choice does not have one of the listed ingredients, it is considered eco-friendly.
However, if you are still unsure or do not have the time to go through all the ingredients, these would be a perfect choice for an efficient, nonpolluting detergent.
Homemade eco-friendly pressure washer soap
There are several options regarding store-bought pressure washer detergents, but did you know you can make one yourself? The procedure is effortless, and you need only a few ingredients:
- phosphate-free laundry soap
- powdered household cleaner
Mix a third of a cup of phosphate-free laundry soap and two-thirds of a cup of powdered household cleaner into one gallon of water. This mild solution will do wonders with general cleaning and is a great option when cleaning surfaces in your garden and other delicate areas. Simple, efficient, and 100% environmentally safe.
What makes pressure washing soaps eco-friendly?
A pressure washer soap is considered eco-friendly if crafted with specific compounds that do not damage the environment. Check the label for the following ingredients when purchasing a pressure washer detergent.
If these are a part of the blend, then the detergent is not eco-friendly:
- sodium hypochlorite (bleach) – it is dangerous for aquatic life;
- hydrochloric acid – it is dangerous for all life forms. It dissolves minerals and is considered a pollutant;
- sodium hydroxide – it is dangerous for all life forms as well, especially to aquatic life;
- dioxane – especially dangerous for humans;
- potassium hydroxide – potentially dangerous but not as toxic as other chemicals
The detergent is not considered eco-friendly if you stumble upon any of these chemicals on the label. They will do more or less damage depending on the quantity of the product, but their sheer presence discards an eco-friendly status.
Not all acids are harmful; for example, oxalic or citric acids are biodegradable and are perfectly fine compounds in pressure washer soaps.
The best green detergents are produced without ingredients derived from nonrenewable resources like petroleum. They are biodegradable and have no optical brighteners, dyes, or synthetic perfumes.
In conclusion
Ecological awareness is everyone’s obligation, and it is easy to accomplish with little effort and knowledge. Making slight modifications in our habits goes a long way, and using biodegradable pressure washer detergents can make a big difference. By using eco-friendly pressure washing chemicals, you will preserve yours and mother nature’s health.