How to Use Simple Green to Power Wash House

Published: Apr 1, 2010
Updated: Nov 20, 2021
1 minute read
  1. Cover any flowering plants or sensitive vegetation. Remove any outdoor furniture near house siding and walls. Check and note the location of all electrical wires and plugs. Close all windows and doors, and remove bird feeders, flags and pet food dishes.

  2. Mix Simple Green House and Siding Cleaner or regular Simple Green in your power washer's reservoir according to the manufacturer's directions. The dilution should be about 10 parts water to 1 part cleaner. Follow the pressure washer's instructions for adjusting pressure and changing tips.

  3. Practice using the power washer on an inconspicuous section first to gauge pressure and cleaning results. Never allow the power washer tip to come into contact with the house, and be careful around plants and furniture.

  4. Apply Simple Green to the sides of your house with the power washer, using the black soap dispensing tip. Start at the bottom and work up to avoid streaks. Be careful around windows and door seals. Allow the cleaner to dwell for a few minutes but do not allow to dry.

  5. Rinse thoroughly from top to bottom, using the white tip, removing all of the cleaner. The cleaner may need to be re-applied to the dirtiest areas and allowed to dwell again before rinsing. Scrub heavily mildewed or stained areas with a soft brush and rinse.

Tips

Pre-wet heavily soiled areas and soap these spots first.

Extension wands and variable spray nozzles will enable you to clean a second story without using ladders.

Rinse soap thoroughly from concrete and decks to avoid streaks.

Warnings

Never spray directly onto electrical outlets or power lines.

If you are using ladders to reach second-story sections or roofs, exercise care. Place the ladder on firm ground and be careful of kick back from the pressure wand. Keep hoses away from the ladder.

Adjust pressure and wand distance with care. Pressure washers can easily damage siding, seals, windows and doors if too much pressure is applied.

Robert Fergeson

Based in the bayou country of Louisiana, Robert Fergeson has been writing about psychology since 2000. His articles have appeared in the "TAT Forum", and in the book "Beyond Mind, Beyond Death". He is an avid photographer and owns a…

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