When done correctly, power washing is not bad for plants, animals or the environment. You may have heard stories about plants dying after a house is power washed or about the negative impact of cleansing solutions on the environment.
Thankfully, experienced power washers will take a few steps to clean structures and sidewalks on your property safely. Eco-conscious power washers use techniques and cleaning solutions that don’t harm the environment and are still effective for cleaning.
What Is Power Washing?
Power washing combines water, a cleansing solution and pressure to remove grime from sidewalks, siding, fencing, roofs, decks, patios and other structural elements. It can eliminate a variety of contaminants, including dirt, moss, algae and mildew. Power washing has many benefits, including a longer life span and a better appearance for a building’s exterior.
Although power washing with just water can make a difference, a diluted cleansing solution is much more effective for removing grime and algae from structures. Power washing with water can remove some contaminants, but it’s not effective against sticky substances like mold.
Water pressure can be adjusted depending on the surface and extent of the dirt and grime. Soft washing is a technique power washers use to clean roofs and other surfaces that require more delicate care. Although soft washing does apply pressure, it relies more on cleansing solutions to remove grime.
On firm structures like sidewalks, technicians can use heavier-duty pressure washing. Both techniques are effective and can be applied quickly. Most importantly, the result of both soft washing and pressure washing is the same — clean surfaces that last longer and look brighter.
Many families and businesses have their buildings power washed each year to protect them from excess grime and algae. However, there is some concern about runoff and how power washing affects the environment.
Is Power Washing Safe for Plants and Vegetation?
Power washing has the potential to harm plants, but it won’t if completed properly. Technicians take the following steps to ensure they’re protecting plants during power washing:
- Never spray a plant directly for a long time.
- Use a biodegradable cleanser solution.
- Only use as much solution as needed.
- Soak all plants with tap water before treatment.
- Rinse all plants with tap water mid-treatment.
- Rinse all plants with tap water after treatment.
Plant damage occurs when cleansing solutions add salinity to the soil. This makes it difficult for plants to soak up water, dehydrating and sometimes killing them. When the proper solutions are used and plants are soaked and rinsed, they’re protected from any negative effects.
If you’ve had trees, bushes or grass become spotty or die after a power washing treatment, the power washers likely didn’t follow these guidelines. With the right procedures, your power washers will avoid the harmful effects of power washing on plants.
Power Washing and Animal Safety
Similar to plants, power washing is not dangerous for pets or wild animals — such as cats, dogs, ducks, deer, rabbits and fish — when done correctly. When you hire a reputable company, you shouldn’t need to worry about negatively impacting animals.
Safe power washing for pets and other animals follows several simple guidelines:
- Pets should not be running around outside during power washing.
- Technicians should use safe, biodegradable cleanser solutions.
- All plants and structures should be rinsed multiple times throughout treatment.
If pets have food or water bowls outside, these dishes should be taken inside before a power washing treatment. It is never advisable for pets to ingest cleansing solutions, even if they are advertised as harmless and environmentally friendly.
When cleanser solution is properly diluted and thoroughly rinsed, it shouldn’t harm wildlife. Choosing a company that uses eco-friendly cleaning solutions will ensure that nearby bodies of water remain clean for local fish and other creatures.
Eco-conscious power washing companies are aware of potential environmental hazards and will take every precaution to ensure their activities don’t cause harm. Contracting with a trustworthy company is an excellent way to keep your buildings clean while protecting the environment.
How Power Washing Affects the Environment
As long as technicians follow eco-friendly power washing practices, the process is not bad for the environment. The cleansing solutions technicians use play a major role in power washing environmental impact.
During a power washing session, cleansing solutions rinse off into the ground and can eventually enter local bodies of water. Chemical runoff from power washing can damage ecosystems if the chemicals used were harsh or harmful to the environment.
The impact of power washing on biodiversity depends on the chemicals that spread through water runoff. By using biodegradable cleansing solutions with safe ingredients, power washing technicians can help protect the environment from harm.
Sometimes, older structures have chemicals in their paint that could rinse off after power washing and harm the environment. In these cases, power washing companies should take extra steps to collect and dispose of the runoff water safely.
Sustainable power washing methods involve the following steps:
- Checking local laws about power washing
- Using an eco-friendly cleansing solution
- Only using the necessary amount of cleanser
- Doing due diligence about old paint and finishes
- Working quickly to reduce water use
Pressure washing can actually benefit the environment by cleaning a building more quickly than scrubbing it by hand, which saves water. By taking care of your buildings, you can also extend their life span and avoid the need for more resources.
When done well, power washing is an eco-friendly way to care for your home and other buildings on your property. It will not damage the environment if completed by professionals who are educated in their industry and intentional about their environmental impact.
The Perfect Power Wash Difference
At Perfect Power Wash, we’re committed to using 100% biodegradable cleansers. We’ve refined our power washing process so that it’s safe for plants and animals and you never have to worry about a negative environmental impact.
Our experienced technicians have served more than 300,000 customers for over 20 years. You can schedule a one-time power washing appointment or opt for our annual membership program so we can give your property recurring attention and care.
Each of our technicians is trained for over 150 hours and uses the best-in-class equipment. We also have seven locally owned locations and over 2,500 five-star reviews from satisfied customers.
Book Your Power Washing Appointment With PPW Today!
Scheduling a power wash with us is fast and easy. We know you’re busy — that’s why we want to make checking power washing off your to-do list more convenient than ever. Call us at 866-294-9098 today to set up an appointment. We look forward to working with you!
