What is a Surfactant for Pressure Washing? The Best Pressure Washing Surfactants
When businesses introduce pressure washers into their cleaning routines, the immediate results can be jaw-dropping. While part of this effect can be attributed to using top rated commercial pressure washers, it’s also vital to consider the role of surfactants.
What is a surfactant for pressure washing?
They are a crucial detergent ingredient that eliminates stains on the first try. Understanding how they work and which ones you need is a must for your results. After all, the best pressure washing surfactants for cleaning commercial vent hoods will differ from warehouse power washing.
This guide covers everything, but If you have further questions about detergent or other power washing equipment, chat with our team at Hotsy of Houston! You’ll receive a personalized recommendation to set you up for success.
What is a Surfactant for Pressure Washing?
Before we dive into the best pressure washing surfactants, we first need to define them.
So, what is a surfactant for pressure washing?
Surfactants are substances that lower the surface tension of liquids. They play a central role in pressure washing commercial buildings, marking the difference between eye-catching results and frustrating half-measures.
The Science Behind Surfactants
You don’t need a chemistry degree to understand what separates the best surfactant for pressure washing from the rest.
When a stain becomes embedded on your surfaces–like the oil or dirt you find while pressure washing factory floors–it is bonded on a molecular level.
This is why when you try pouring water on that floor, the stain won’t budge.
Surfactants are chemicals that reduce the tension of liquids–in this case, the water from your pressure washer. The best pressure washing surfactants allow your machine’s water stream to wash away the stain at a microscopic level.
For example, water and oil usually don’t mix, making restaurant pressure washing and cleaning grease traps tricky. However, a suitable surfactant will sit between the two, allowing the oil and grease to be lifted.
Surfactants vs Detergents
Detergents and surfactants are often used interchangeably in everyday conversation. However, the two are different categories of substance.
Pressure washing surfactants are ingredients. You could use one single surfactant–common with emulsifiers–10+ in one blend or anywhere between. What determines a good surfactant for pressure washing is how you match the ingredient to the underlying surface rather than the substance itself.
Detergents are a blend of surfactants and other ingredients that make up a blend. Every detergent will have at least one type of surfactant–but a surfactant alone doesn’t necessarily make a detergent.
Don’t stress too much about the chemistry differences between the two. When buying a pressure washing detergent from a reputable retailer, you’ll have every surfactant you need to do the job.
How a Pressure Washing Surfactant Enhances the Cleaning Process
When businesses start using pressure washers, they’re often amazed at the quick results.
Much of this is due to using a good surfactant for pressure washing. Whether pressure washing farm equipment or cooling tower cleaning, pressure washing surfactants are paramount to your results.
Breaking Down Grease and Oils
Oil and grease are the bane of many industrial and commercial properties. They become deeply embedded in concrete, machinery, and walls, posing hazards to staff and visitors.
Water alone isn’t enough to lift them due to oil’s hydrophobic nature.
Surfactants help eliminate this issue, whether you’re pressure-washing parking lots or pressure-washing vehicle fleets. A good surfactant for pressure washing grease and oil stains features an emulsifying effect, pulling the oil molecules upward.
Preventing Re-Adhesion of Dirt
One of the frustrating aspects of industrial cleaning is just how frequently it’s required. Cleaning inside silos, factory floors, sidewalks, parking lots, vehicles–it can seem like you never get caught up on your tasks.
It can also be incredibly irritating to go through your entire cleaning process only to find that half of the dirt and grime you thought you had washed away has returned to a nearby surface.
The best surfactant for pressure washing keeps dirt at bay. It encapsulates the molecules in common stains, preventing them from re-attaching to surfaces. This lets you rinse and forget about it rather than repeating the steps all over again as you would with manual scrubbing.
Soft Washing Benefits
Soft washing is simply a lighter version of power washing. It is useful when working with delicate surfaces, such as when pressure washing commercial solar panels.
As you lower your machine’s PSI (pounds per square inch), the water loses some effectiveness. That’s when a pressure washing surfactant steps in to lift away stains.
This lets the stains lift without the extra water force and can even forgo the need for scrubbing.
Environmental Considerations
When you start reading about chemicals, you might worry about their effects on the ecosystem.
However, high-quality pressure washing surfactants are safer for the environment.
They let you use far less water to achieve the same amount of lift. Only cleaning your surface one time rather than 10 times on repeat goes a long way.
Plus, most modern surfactants are biodegradable. As long as you manage water runoff properly, surfactants are the safest option to keep your operations Green-friendly.
What is the Best Surfactant for Pressure Washing?
Without surfactants, you’re fighting an uphill battle.
That begs the question of what soap you should use in a pressure washer. The best pressure washer soap will contain surfactants tailor-made for the types of stains and surfaces you’re dealing with, so let’s break them all down for you.
Nonionic Surfactants
Nonionic surfactants carry no electrical charge. This means they work well with hard water and are pH-neutral, helping you deal with alkaline and acidic stains.
Note that nonionic substances can still be plenty eco-friendly, as is the case with many Hotsy blends.
Anionic Surfactants
Where nonionic surfactants have no electric charge, anionic substances have a negative one. They are common in most pressure washing detergents, as they have the molecular makeup to attract and lift grime and oil.
Amphoteric Surfactants
Amphoteric surfactants adapt to the surface at hand. On alkaline surfaces, they act with a positive charge (also called cationic), while they are anionic towards acidic stains.
They create a foaming effect that helps you rinse away stains and work well with both hard and soft water.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)
SLS is an anionic substance that is a potent emulsifier for dealing with embedded oil. This industrial-strength surfactant is common in many pressure washing soaps, giving you the extra “oomph” needed to eliminate tough stains.
Note that SLS is a harsh substance and can damage some delicate surfaces. Ensure you use the proper amount or invest in a pre-blended detergent for dilution ratios.
Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)
SLES is the less harsh version of SLS. It’s biodegradable and suitable for hard water, making it an excellent all-purpose surfactant. For example, Hotsy’s Ripper II, which is used in several different industrial applications, contains this ingredient.
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cocamidropropyl Betaine is an additive surfactant that enhances the cleaning power of other substances in a given detergent. Its thickening effect creates clingy foam to simplify the lifting process.
Alkyl Polyglucosides
Alkyl Polyglucosides are plant-based compounds that boost the eco-friendliness of a detergent blend. They are made using sugar glucose from plants like corn and coconut, providing a nonionic reaction to tackle tough stains.
Sodium Metasilicate
Sodium Metasilicate is technically considered a “builder” compound rather than a surfactant, but it is nevertheless a vital part of pressure washing soap. It keeps the minerals in hard water at bay, ensuring your soap works regardless of the water source.
It’s found in several popular supports like Hotsy Transport and Hotsy Enviro-Clean. It also helps to create an extra layer of defense above your surface, keeping them safe as you wash.
Ethoxylated Alcohols
Ethoxylated alcohols are another nonionic ingredient class that is a potent emulsifying tool. Many detergents, including Hotsy Aero One and Hotsy Breakthrough, contain this ingredient.
The degree to which these soaps are ethoxylated determines their harshness, but they are generally mild and safe for use on most non-delicate surfaces.
Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (Quats)
Quats are cationic surfactants that clean and sanitize surfaces. They leave behind a residue, preventing microbes from returning.
Quats are harsh on the environment, however. It is important to use them in small amounts and follow proper disposal methods.
That’s all the chemistry you need to know. But if you want to skip the studying and find out which surfactants are best for your needs, why not ask the experts at Hotsy of Houston?
Trust Hotsy of Houston for the Premier Lineup of Industrial-Grade Pressure Washing Detergents
As the #1 home for industrial pressure washers in Houston, we’ve helped thousands of Southeast Texas business owners manage their cleaning routines. Brands like Pilot, Sonic, and PEC Pipeline rely on us to identify the perfect pressure washer detergent and equipment for their needs.
Our friendly team will analyze the surfaces and stains on your property and find you the best match among the many wonderful, biodegradable Hotsy detergents we offer. You’ll be saying goodbye to those stubborn stains in no time.
We’re also the perfect pressure washer buying guides. We’ll teach you all about the various pressure washer types, including how to differentiate between electric vs gas pressure washers or hot vs cold water pressure washers. You’ll even get our recommendations for the best pressure washer attachments to speed things up further.
In addition to sales, we provide convenient industrial pressure washer rentals in Houston, including drop-off/pick-up. That includes pressure washer trailers in Houston for jobs requiring mobility and water source access.
Our team is also proud to be the go-to source for industrial pressure washer repair in Houston, servicing both Hotsy and non-Hotsy models. That includes customized pressure washing trailer setups and affordable pressure washer repair costs to ensure you never miss a beat.
Tips on Making the Most of Surfactants for Pressure Washing
Before sending you on your way, there are a few more things to learn about how to use soap with a pressure washer.
Choosing the Right Surfactant for the Job
First, you’ll need to find the right soap. The gentler your underlying surface, the more careful you need to be. Consider whether your water source is soft or hard, as the minerals (or lack thereof) can affect your cleaning results.
Other factors include the need for sanitization (look for Quats), eco-friendliness (APGs), or extra foam (Cocamidopropyl Betaine).
We recommend talking to a professional retailer for specific recommendations; our team at Hotsy of Houston is here to help!
Proper Dilution Ratios
Many pressure washer detergents need to be diluted before use. The amount you do depends on the severity of the stains and the blend itself.
The heavier the soil, the less you should dilute. It is more important to get the right ratio than to worry about saving product.
Application Techniques
Among commercial floor cleaning techniques, pressure washing reigns supreme.
But there are a few things that can boost your results.
First, we recommend pre-soaking your soap in the cleaning area. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes to allow stains to loosen.
Consider preemptively adding a second coat if you notice a particularly tough stain, though you can also repeat the cycle once the rinsing is done.
From there, just ensure you keep your power washer wand about 12 to 18 inches from the surface–closer than that could lead to damage.
Storing Surfactants Correctly
Learning how to store a pressure washer surfactant is a must. Keep your substances in a cool, dry place. Be sure to use a first-in, first-out method for storage to avoid the issue of expired products.
Wrapping Up Our Guide on the Best Pressure Washing Surfactant
Understanding surfactants doesn’t require a PhD in chemistry. Simply put, these substances place themselves between water and stains, amplifying the cleaning effect of your pressure washer.
Finding the best ones for your needs is simply choosing a high-quality pressure washer soap brand. Hotsy has all of the biodegradable and quality blends you require.
Our team at Hotsy of Houston is here to help. We’ll set you up with the ideal soap, show you how to dilute it and identify potential problem stains before they arise.
We’ve been helping businesses clean across Southeast Texas. Our blog has more information, including how much it costs to start a pressure washing business, pressure washing quote templates, pressure washing clothing, how to rent a pressure washer, and how to maintain a pressure washer.
If you’re ready to start with high-quality soap, are looking for a new industrial cold water pressure washer in Houston, or are renting an industrial hot water pressure washer in Houston, look no further than us.
Stop by our Pasadena store or give us a call to find out more!
