5 Homemade Pressure Washer Detergent Recipes (2024)

I love keeping my home and yard sparkling clean with affordable solutions.

  • I mix my own detergents using simple household ingredients.
  • I save money by not purchasing commercial cleaning solutions.
  • I ensure the safety of my yard and outdoor furniture by using eco-friendly substances.
  • I maintain my property effectively with easy-to-make recipes.
  • I enjoy creating versatile cleaning agents that are perfect for various surfaces.

To create a powerful and cost-effective pressure washer detergent, start by thoroughly mixing common household ingredients like water, laundry detergent powder, and Borax or washing soda in a large bucket. Make sure I use gloves and protective eyewear to avoid any irritation from the ingredients.

After mixing, I can apply the detergent to the surface I need to clean using my pressure washer, following the correct procedures for application and rinsing to avoid any potential damage. By following these steps, I can easily and cheaply produce my own detergent that is just as effective as store-bought alternatives.

Having a pressure washer for your home can be incredibly helpful when it comes to getting better results for outdoor cleaning. However, the costs can quickly add up.

An excellent commercial pressure washer doesn’t come cheap, but buying a top brand like Karcher or Generac will benefit you in the long run. One way you can easily save money after your purchase is by making your own homemade pressure washer detergent. Audrey Dunbar, a knowledgeable practitioner in home organization, advises, “Creating your own detergent can be a fun and cost-effective way to maintain your home’s cleanliness.”

By making your own pressure washer detergent, you not only have more control over how much you spend, but you also have more awareness of the ingredients you’re using.

5 Homemade Pressure Washer Detergent Recipes (1)

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5 Homemade Pressure Washer Detergent Recipes (2)

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Table Of Contents

  1. My Powerful Easy-to-Make Pressure Washer Detergents
    • DIY Power Washer Detergent for My Concrete
    • My Cheap Power Washer Cleaning Solution
    • DIY Pressure Washer Detergent for My Car
    • My Eco-Friendly Homemade Pressure Washer Detergent
    • I Make Homemade Pressure Washer Soap for Vinyl Siding
    • My Recipe for Homemade Pressure Washer Detergent

My Powerful Easy-to-Make Pressure Washer Detergents

Not all cleaning products are created equally, and by making your own power washer soaps, you can make sure you’re not using any materials that may damage your property or yard. Here are our five favorite homemade pressure washer soap recipes that you can use around your home.

DIY Power Washer Detergent for My Concrete

Cleaning concrete flooring and other hard surfaces require a bit more than a simple pressure washing with high-pressure water alone. You’ll get better results if you add this DIY power washer detergent to your cleaning process.

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Best Pressure Washer Detergent for Concrete

  • 1 gallon of water
  • ½ cup Borax
  • ½ cup washing soda
  • 1 tablespoon liquid dish soap

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Pour a gallon of water in a large bucket and then add Borax and washing soda. Add in the dish soap and stir thoroughly. Before using the pressure washer soap, make sure to do a quick preliminary clean of the area, moving any significant debris or outdoor furniture.

My Cheap Power Washer Cleaning Solution

This incredible do it yourself cleaning solution is cheap and easy to make. Before you start mixing this general purpose cleaner, put on some gloves and goggles for extra protection — you don’t want to get any ingredients in your eyes.

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Cheap Power Washing Soap

  • 3 1/3 oz. laundry detergent powder
  • 6 3/4 oz. all-purpose cleaner powder
  • 1/4 gallon bleach
  • 1 1/3 gallons of water

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Start by combining the laundry soap and the all-purpose cleaner, and allow them to sit overnight to ensure they combine correctly. The next day, mix the bleach and water in a large bucket. Add in the powder mixture, stirring constantly.

Be careful not to stir too quickly, as you do not want to create suds. If you don’t plan on using all of your homemade pressure washer soap right away, you can store it in any clean, empty plastic container.

Clearly label the container for future use. This recipe also makes a perfect DIY deck cleaner or as a simple way to clean tires on your car – with or without the pressure washer.

DIY Pressure Washer Detergent for My Car

This DIY pressure washer detergent for cars isn’t as heavy duty as some of the other bleach solutions on this list, but it gets the job done. The gentler cleaning detergents work better for cars, as you don’t want to risk damaging the paint or detailing.

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DIY Pressure Washer Detergent for Cars Recipe

  • 1 gallon of water
  • 12 tablespoons laundry detergent powder

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Mix the laundry detergent in a bucket of hot water, being careful not to stir too quickly so that you don’t get too many suds. Clean your car with low pressure, so you aren’t doing any damage, and be sure to rinse it afterward with a garden hose to get rid of all the cleaning detergent.

Use a sponge with some of this cleaner on it for cleaning car headlights that may be a little hazy. Rub the headlights with a little pressure to eliminate haze. Rinse well.

My Eco-Friendly Homemade Pressure Washer Detergent

With this recipe, you can make your own pressure washer detergent to use in more sensitive areas like gardens, or other spots with organic materials.

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My Simple Green Detergent

  • 1/3 cup phosphate-free laundry soap
  • 2/3 cup powdered household cleaner
  • 1 gallon of water

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Mix all of the ingredients in a large bucket, again being sure not to create too many suds. Regular cleaning with this general use detergent will help keep difficult stains and mildew away, but if you find you need a more heavy duty natural solution, you can put some white vinegar in your pressure washer and spray on tough areas.

Use this simple solution as a plastic furniture cleaner for the chairs and table on your deck or patio or to clean the deck or patio itself. It’s versatile, cheap, eco-friendly and easy to use.

I Make Homemade Pressure Washer Soap for Vinyl Siding

Gas pressure washers are a great way to clean vinyl siding without scrubbing. To make sure you get the best results, make your own washer soap.

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Vinyl Siding Cleaner

  • 1/3 cup trisodium phosphate (TSP)
  • 1/3 cup laundry detergent powder
  • 1 gallon of hot water

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In a large bucket, mix all ingredients and then apply it with your power washer from the bottom to the top of your siding. After a few minutes, rinse the cleaner off starting from the top and allowing for downward water flow.

The most important thing to remember when using these homemade pressure washer detergent recipes is to make sure you’re using the proper water pressure and ingredients. As long as you take those precautions, the exterior of your home and cars will look cleaner than ever!

My Recipe for Homemade Pressure Washer Detergent

5 Homemade Pressure Washer Detergent Recipes (3)

Homemade Pressure Washer Detergent

Yield: 1 gallon

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Difficulty: Easy

This DIY soap is ideal for the car, deck, patio, and more!

Materials

  • 3/4 cup powdered laundry detergent
  • 1-gallon warm water in a bucket

Tools

  • Pressure washer
  • Garden hose
  • Measuring cup

Instructions

  1. Add the laundry soap to the warm water in the bucket.
  2. Gently dissolve the powder into the water without making it sudsy.
  3. Add the solution to the power washer.
  4. Spray the surface liberally, using lower pressure for more delicate items.
  5. Rinse with the water hose.

Notes

You can substitute liquid detergent if desired.

5 Homemade Pressure Washer Detergent Recipes (4)

We hope you enjoyed these pressure washer detergent recipes. If you have friends and family who clean with a pressure washer, then share these soap recipes on Facebook and Pinterest.

5 Homemade Pressure Washer Detergent Recipes (2024)

FAQs

How do I make my own pressure washer detergent? ›

The cleaner recipe is: 1 Gallon of hot water 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar 1 teaspoon dish soap 1 teaspoon of Jet Dry Combine in a bucket. Adjust amounts accordingly depending on how much water you use.

How do you make a power washer solution? ›

If you're cleaning a typical house, you'll need one or two buckets of a mixture of water and detergent. You can use a ratio of 1:1 for water and soap, meaning that for every gallon of water, you'll add one gallon of detergent. If the house is extra dirty, you can use a 1:2 ratio of water to soap.

What is the best solution for pressure washing? ›

What are the most popular Pressure Washer Cleaning Solution brands? Krud Kutter, Mold Armor and Karcher are among the most popular Pressure Washer Cleaning Solution brands. While those brands are the most popular overall, you will also find a great assortment from SIMPSON, Sun Joe and PowerPlay.

Can I use Dawn dish soap in my pressure washer? ›

There have been many instances when people have tried to use Dawn dish soap or laundry detergent to create their own pressure washer soap. Although it is possible to use the two in your pressure washer, you risk clogging it if you don't dilute them.

What can you use instead of pressure washer detergent? ›

A few of the solutions and chemicals that work best for pressure washing include:
  • Vinegar: Safe and effective cleaner for a variety of surfaces.
  • Citric Acid: Perfect for cleaning grime from concrete and wood.
  • Oxalic Acid: Can be used to correct rust.
  • Sodium Hydroxide: Great for breaking down grease, fats, and oils.
Jun 9, 2021

What are the ingredients for homemade detergent? ›

All it takes is a few simple ingredients—borax, washing soda, soap flakes—commonly found in commercial laundry detergents. One of the benefits of homemade laundry detergent is that you can control the amount of fragrance you add and there are no dyes that can often irritate sensitive skin.

How do you make homemade concrete cleaner for pressure washer? ›

In a bucket, mix 1 cup of baking soda and 2 cups of distilled white vinegar. Double or triple the amount depending on the size of the area you want to clean.

What soap can I use in a pressure washer? ›

When cleaning with a pressure washer, some cleaning tasks can be solved with water alone, but for most tasks, cleaning with detergent allows for more effective dirt removal. Use only detergents specifically designed for pressure washers, such as: Sun Joe® HOUSE +DECK WASH.

Can I use laundry detergent in my pressure washer? ›

You can use almost any type of liquid soap or detergent with a pressure washer, although there are pressure washer-specific detergents for jobs of all types. Your pressure washer will have a siphon hose or basin of some type, which you fill with the desired soap.

Can you put vinegar in a pressure washer? ›

Vinegar is not only a staple kitchen condiment, but it's also a natural pressure washer cleaner. Its acidic nature is so powerful that it can dissolve grime, grease, and mineral deposits.

Is bleach good for pressure washing? ›

Never Use Bleach with Pressure Washers

Bleach will corrode your pump's seals and essentially render the pressure washer useless. Bleach is a dangerous chemical, and spraying bleach means propelling bleach into the air.

Can I use regular simple green in pressure washer? ›

A recipient of the Safer Choice label, Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner can be used in pressure washers and on all washable surfaces, and easily removes tough dirt and grime without the use of caustic chemicals.

Can I use Fabuloso in my power washer? ›

It may be tempting to use Fabuloso in your laundry because of its pleasant scent, but products that are not formulated to be used in a washing machine should not be added to your laundry routine.

Where not to use Dawn powerwash? ›

*Do not use Dawn® Platinum Powerwash Dish Spray on marble surfaces of any kind. Ensure sufficient ventilation of the area and do not mix with any other detergents during the cleaning process.

Is Dawn powerwash just dish soap and alcohol? ›

The key difference between the original Dawn dish liquid and Dawn Powerwash is the addition of alcohol.

Can you use regular car wash soap in a pressure washer? ›

I bought a pressure washer and it recommended to use pressure washer safe soaps. I didn't. I use my car was soap diluted 6:1 (around). The suds are minimal but it gets the job done.

Is homemade detergent safe for washers? ›

Homemade laundry soap can be HE machine-safe if formulated to produce low suds that meet the machine's requirements. However, homemade laundry soap that causes too many suds can cause issues, residue build-up, or insufficient cleaning, which affects the machine's longevity and efficiency.

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