Power Washing and Roof Cleaning Forum

All Kleen Softwash Systems · Exterior Cleaner

New house wash

Art O · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Good Luck, but thats not how we wash. Your on your own with that one!!!!

waxman18324 · Founding Member Rest in Peace

Cancel the order.

Hank

All Kleen Softwash Systems · Exterior Cleaner

Art O wrote:
Good Luck, but thats not how we wash. Your on your own with that one!!!!

Why is that not the way we wash? Detergent and SH by downstreaming is how I've been washing houses since I started talking on this board.

Anyway I'll find out. I bought a 5 gallon bucket of it.

Art O · Approved Exterior Cleaner

You could have gotten a 5 gallon of S/H for $12

Jeff Wible · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Anita,..it really is a better choice to make your own soap from separate products. Buying a ready to use product will cost you way more and will likely not be nearly as effective. Even store bought SH and Gain dish soap would will be a better choice than something prepackaged and ready to use.

And yes,.many here do downstream,..I don't think that's what Art meant by saying that's not how we wash.

When it says it has 12.5% in it already,.is it actually 12.5% strength,.or is it 12.5% added to a volume of water and soap to make a cleaning solution?

What soap are you buying?

And remember the thing with soap in a downstreaming mix is added in small amounts. Usually an 8oz. (cup) of soap in a bucket of SH will give you plenty of soap and a 5 gallon bucket is usually enough to do a typical house.

Keep it simple,..too many people,.including me have waaay over thought this whole washing business over the years,.and then revert back to the basics,..and makes things way easier and allows you to concentrate on other aspects of the business.

EDIT: The salesman is an idiot,..you can't clean a roof by downstreaming,.PERIOD!! Maybe that's what Art meant when he said that's not the way we clean,..ROOFS!!!

Jeff

-- Edited by Jeff Wible on Saturday 11th of June 2016 06:00:54 AM

Liberty SoftWash · PWS Vender

Art O wrote:
Good Luck, but thats not how we wash. Your on your own with that one!!!!

100%!!!!!!

Liberty SoftWash · PWS Vender

Jeff Wible wrote:
Anita,..it really is a better choice to make your own soap from separate products. Buying a ready to use product will cost you way more and will likely not be nearly as effective. Even store bought SH and Gain dish soap would will be a better choice than something prepackaged and ready to use.

And yes,.many here do downstream,..I don't think that's what Art meant by saying that's not how we wash.

When it says it has 12.5% in it already,.is it actually 12.5% strength,.or is it 12.5% added to a volume of water and soap to make a cleaning solution?

What soap are you buying?

And remember the thing with soap in a downstreaming mix is added in small amounts. Usually an 8oz. (cup) of soap in a bucket of SH will give you plenty of soap and a 5 gallon bucket is usually enough to do a typical house.

Keep it simple,..too many people,.including me have waaay over thought this whole washing business over the years,.and then revert back to the basics,..and makes things way easier and allows you to concentrate on other aspects of the business.

Jeff

Listen to this guy he might be on to something, lol.

All Kleen Softwash Systems · Exterior Cleaner

ICE stands for industrial cleaning equipment.
They are all in NC And SC.
I went there and there were 4 other softwash companies there as well picking up parts and such for there equipment. I talked to them and they love it, so I don't know well be using it tomorrow on my house to see.
I'll do a video for yall.
Instructions say to add 2 gallons to a 5 gallon bucket and fill the rest with water.
So that's exactly how in going to use it. I'm not going to add any extra SH to it. Just to see if thier claim is true.

All Kleen Softwash Systems · Exterior Cleaner

Here's a picture

Jeff Wible · Approved Exterior Cleaner

How much did that bucket of soap cost?

Jeff

All Kleen Softwash Systems · Exterior Cleaner

50

All Kleen Softwash Systems · Exterior Cleaner

And 55 gallon is 200

Jeff Wible · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Keep in mind,.that here is the North where SH cost more than down South,..you could get a 5 gallon bucket of 12.5% for about $20.00 with maybe a $1.00 worth of soap added and likely have just as good,.or likely better product. And where you're at the cost is likely better than my cost? Those savings add up once over the course of many, many buckets. I just wonder what the concentration of SH is in that mix?

EDIT: Well if nothing else,.the 55 is a way better deal than the 5 gallon.
Jeff

-- Edited by Jeff Wible on Saturday 11th of June 2016 11:19:34 AM

Jeff Wible · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Remember Anita,.we're just trying to help,.. lot of experience on this board.

Jeff

All Kleen Softwash Systems · Exterior Cleaner

She said when it's mixed the SH is much higher so that when there done adding the detergent the SH will still be around the 12 to 15 % mark.
But she a sales person lol I'll find out when I do my nasty house

All Kleen Softwash Systems · Exterior Cleaner

The strongest sh I've ever used is 10%. So I'll know for sure if it's worth a crap.
I can get the 55 gallon of SH at 12.5% for 150
Yes there are alot of very intelligent folks here, that's way I post here. But I'm just one of those that learns by asking alot of stupid questions lol.

All Kleen Softwash Systems · Exterior Cleaner

Hey guys here is the video I shot of that chemical cleaning my house. For this I diluted the chemical 1 gallon chemical to 2 gallons water. I didn't have to use any bleach, it was already in there and even the mixture smelled like the bleach was strong in it.

After it was done dwelling for about 5 mins it was spotless. I love the results.

https://youtu.be/jSNjmreHZ00

Sorry I turned the camera, didn't know it was going to turn it sideways lol

Bryan P · Approved Exterior Cleaner

That's a lot more pressure than I use. I'm usually 5-6 ft away from the house and fanning it on with a wide pattern and only use my 0 tip to get the high stuff. Of course, I'm not using a pressure washer so it's different. Looks like your mix works. I don't think they're doing anything you couldn't mix yourself, though. and you'd always have a fresh chemical.

Fred W · Guru

I think what everyone is saying is that you are costing yourself time and money. There is no need or real reason to buy the ICE.......especially if you get busy.

People here are just trying to help you.

Jeff Wible · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Ok ,..what I noticed was the lack of suddsing? Suddsing isn't needed so much for cleaning,.but it allows cling and wet time for the detergent. Unless I just didn't see it.

Also,..wondering at what point you switched from soap to rinse,..seems like you used alot of time applying. You should be able to soap a small side like that in about 20-30 seconds. No need to spray until the mold disappears,..trust in your soap.

Also,.. No need to wet the siding before the soap,..wetting the glass when it's hot is important,.but the siding isn't as relevant. Wet the glass,..apply the soap to the whole side and then rinse the glass,..detail out the window sills with brushing and/or Magic Erasers,.and the use of your gutter cleaner will make the sills brighter in many cases.

Using your judgement on dwell and drying,.step back and rinse.

*Buy your own 12.5%. Looks like they really cheaped out on the soap and sold you a $15.00 bucket of 12.5% for $50.00. And Likely wasn't even 12.5%.

Jeff

-- Edited by Jeff Wible on Sunday 12th of June 2016 10:45:13 AM

John Aloisio · Approved Exterior Cleaner

After reading the SDS sheet on this product, I would have to agree with Jeff. This is just SH and some mild soap they throw in there.

I think there is a lot of reinventing the wheel going on here. One of the industries schools or certifications would help your learning curve exponentially. If you plan on downstreaming and using a pressure washer to do houses and a different pump to do roof in the future, then you should call Doug Rucker. If you plan to use 12 volt pumps and softwash everything besides the occasional concrete, which you might pressure wash, then you should look at Softwawh Systems.

Thats the best advice I can offer, that will shorten your learning curve, and offer up 90% of the queations you are dealing with. Trial and error, and just reading all the boards is ok, but why go through it when you have great educational programs offered. They will help on everything from in the field stuff, to marketing, to just managing you business.

Just my opinion, I am sure some agree and some hard headed people don't, but it has worked for many of us and made us lots of money.

All Kleen Softwash Systems · Exterior Cleaner

I've been trying to save some money from each job so I can take Doug's class. I'll be doing the online version but I hear it's very informative

Fred W · Guru

Jeff Wible wrote:
Ok ,..what I noticed was the lack of suddsing? Suddsing isn't needed so much for cleaning,.but it allows cling and wet time for the detergent. Unless I just didn't see it.

Also,..wondering at what point you switched from soap to rinse,..seems like you used alot of time applying. You should be able to soap a small side like that in about 20-30 seconds. No need to spray until the mold disappears,..trust in your soap.

Also,.. No need to wet the siding before the soap,..wetting the glass when it's hot is important,.but the siding isn't as relevant. Wet the glass,..apply the soap to the whole side and then rinse the glass,..detail out the window sills with brushing and/or Magic Erasers,.and the use of your gutter cleaner will make the sills brighter in many cases.

Using your judgement on dwell and drying,.step back and rinse.

*Buy your own 12.5%. Looks like they really cheaped out on the soap and sold you a $15.00 bucket of 12.5% for $50.00. And Likely wasn't even 12.5%.

Jeff

-- Edited by Jeff Wible on Sunday 12th of June 2016 10:45:13 AM

John Aloisio wrote:
After reading the SDS sheet on this product, I would have to agree with Jeff. This is just SH and some mild soap they throw in there.
I think there is a lot of reinventing the wheel going on here. One of the industries schools or certifications would help your learning curve exponentially. If you plan on downstreaming and using a pressure washer to do houses and a different pump to do roof in the future, then you should call Doug Rucker. If you plan to use 12 volt pumps and softwash everything besides the occasional concrete, which you might pressure wash, then you should look at Softwash Systems.
Thats the best advice I can offer, that will shorten your learning curve, and offer up 90% of the questions you are dealing with. Trial and error, and just reading all the boards is ok, but why go through it when you have great educational programs offered. They will help on everything from in the field stuff, to marketing, to just managing you business.
Just my opinion, I am sure some agree and some hard headed people don't, but it has worked for many of us and made us lots of money.

Very sound advice. I especially would point you towards John's advice because it's more about getting proper training. Many look at training as a cost vs an investment. I have never seen Doug's course but at the $350 (I think) price point it's simply a no brainer. One job will take care of the cost and will make you thousands (if not hundreds of thousands) more and make it faster.

One blunder on your part can cost you the same!

DirtyRoofcom · Approved Exterior Cleaner

There is some excellent advice in the posts above from some experts in the field. I just want to add that for me the simpler the better. SH and a surfactant is all you need as far as cleaning solution is concerned. basic softwash pump, some hose and a tank or 2 and a few diff nozzles. dont make it more complicated then it is. it should have taken 20-30 seconds to treat that wall. then a few minutes to rinse if your thorough.

When i started i bought a basic $300 dollar pressure washer. . . . . it has never been used on a paying job!

All Kleen Softwash Systems · Exterior Cleaner

Yea we have decided to go with a 12.5% SH and Lauramine Oxide for our house wash

-- Edited by A_J Pressure Washing on Sunday 12th of June 2016 08:31:24 PM

Jeff Wible · Approved Exterior Cleaner

You'll be very happy with the Lauramine Oxide (AKA Ammonyx Lo) Costs a little over a dollar per house and clans very well.

Get a good gutter cleaner now like Purple Power and you'll be on your way to a decent arsenal for house washing. There are still a few other type cleaners you may need,.which you'll learn about as you read. Cleaners for rust, etc..

get some Magic Erasers for scuff marks and such. Also very effective on window sills.

Jeff

All Kleen Softwash Systems · Exterior Cleaner

I bought purple power and gutter grenade for my gutters. Also bought a brush and 26ft telescoping Wand for the brush.

All Kleen Softwash Systems · Exterior Cleaner

What can I say? You guys were right agian!

I washed two houses today, and used the last of that house wash to do the first one. On the 2nd one I used my own mix like yall suggested. And my mix is much stronger.

My mix was 1 gallon of 12.5 sh and 2 gallons of water plus 1 cup detergent . Then downstreamed.

My mix is much stronger. In the picture you can see 2 distinct bleach marks on my shorts. I'll let you guess which one is from my mix lol

Bryan P · Approved Exterior Cleaner

A_J Pressure Washing wrote:
What can I say? You guys were right agian!
I washed two houses today, and used the last of that house wash to do the first one. On the 2nd one I used my own mix like yall suggested. And my mix is much stronger.
My mix was 1 gallon of 12.5 sh and 2 gallons of water plus 1 cup detergent . Then downstreamed.
My mix is much stronger. In the picture you can see 2 distinct bleach marks on my shorts. I'll let you guess which one is from my mix lol

With that new mix, you're gonna want some of these! :) They look like crap after every job, but they clean back up nice. :)

51Emq2gYStL._SL1009_.jpg

-- Edited by Bryan P on Monday 13th of June 2016 07:19:49 PM