Want to clean your car with a pressure washer? You will definitely need detergent or soap. Because using a blast of water alone won’t get rid of greasy dirt and grime on your automobile. But since you can’t just use any detergent you come across, this leads us to the question, can you use car wash soap in a pressure washer?
Well, the answer to this question is yes. You can use a car wash soap in a pressure washer. However, it has to be formulated specifically for this purpose. This is because if the car wash soap is not compatible with the washer, it could end up damaging its nozzle.
In this article, we are going to delve deeper into the topic of car wash soap and pressure washers to help you understand better about using car soap in a washer.
What Is A Pressure Washer?
Also referred to as a power washer, this is a device that uses either an electric motor or a gas engine to power a high-pressure pump. The washer uses a high-pressure jet or hose to clean dirt on surfaces such as your car, decks, patios, and driveways.
Just like any ordinary water pump, your power washer can take in normal water from a faucet. And using its trigger gun, your washer can squirt the water at high speeds. But before squirting out the water, the pump usually draws in the soap from the pressure washer detergent tank and mixes it with water. Some washers will even heat up the water for better cleaning results.
Car Wash Soap and Pressure Washer – what you need to know
A pressure washer can make washing your car effortless and convenient. Because thanks to its strong water jets, it can clean cakes of mud, grease, dust, and tough stains. And if you combine the power of pressurized water from your washer with a suitable car wash soap, the results can be very amazing. The combination also reduces the amount of time it would take you to clean your car if you were to use just a car wash brush.
You see, a car wash soap is formulated with safe but strong chemicals that can get rid of any dirt on your car. Simply put, these soaps are designed to be gentle on your washer and vehicle’s paintwork but tough on dirt.
The best thing about using a car wash soap with your pressure washer is that you don’t need to use a lot of pressure to clean your car. As a result, this can help reduce the chances of ruining your vehicle’s finish.
Can you use car wash soap in a pressure washer?
Yes, you can. Certain car wash soaps may work with your pressure washer. For instance, a car soap with an extreme foaming solution and pH neutral can work well in a power pressure. Also, any car soap with a high amount of suds can be used with your washer. Basically, suds are the froth soap bubbles that form when your detergent mixes with air and water.
However, you cannot use regular car shampoos in a pressure washer since they are designed to be applied by hand. This is because your regular car wash soap comes already semi-diluted, which means you cannot dilute it. And as it turns out, any detergent that is specially designed for use in a washer needs to be diluted before being released from your power washer.
On the other hand, you can still use a normal car shampoo with your power washer. But instead of putting it in your washer’s detergent tank, you should apply it manually on your vehicle and then rinse it out using your pressure washer.
Additionally, it is possible to use your regular car wash soap in pressure washer reservoirs. The only difference is that the soap won’t be applied at high pressure. Your power pressure will instead apply the soap at low pressure, just like a foam gun where the soap will be introduced after your pump rather than before.
How does a pressure washer work with car wash soap?
As we have already mentioned, you should use a car wash soap with an extreme foaming solution when pressure washing your car. However, for the best results, you should use a foam cannon, especially if your washer does not have a detergent tank. Using a foam cannon makes it easy to apply your car wash soap.
All you’ve got to do is fill your foam cannon with car wash soap and then connect it to your power washer using a quick disconnect. You then spray the solution on your car’s surface until it is covered with a generous layer of foam. The foam will help break down the dirt while also keeping it from damaging your vehicle’s paintwork.
Can I Use Normal Car Wash Soap In A Pressure Washer
It is possible to use car wash soap in your pressure washer, but it’s not recommended. Car wash soaps are designed for use with a sponge or mitt, not with high-pressure water blasting away at them. When it comes to pressure washing, you will only get the best results from using a special car wash soap. This is because the soap has been designed to work in conjunction with water and power. If you use any other kind of soap, the results will be very poor
Car wash soaps are designed for use with a garden hose. They do not contain detergents that are strong enough to be effective in high-pressure systems. The soap will also produce a lot of foam, which can clog the nozzle and other areas of your pressure washer.
However, If you want to use car wash soap, you should dilute it with water before adding it to your pressure washer reservoir. This will reduce the amount of foam produced by the soap and minimize clogging of hoses and nozzles.
How Do You Add Car Wash Soap To A Pressure Washer
First, you will need to determine if the soap is in a liquid or powder form. If it is a liquid, then you will want to put it into a bucket with water and mix it up until it is completely dissolved. If it is a powder, then you will want to put it in a container and mix it with warm water until it dissolves.
Next, you will want to pour the soap into your pressure washer’s soap tank. Some pressure washers come with a built-in soap tank. This is located right above the hose connector on most models. Just unscrew it and add in the liquid soap. Some models have an air valve that you need to open before filling it up with water so make sure you do this first.
Some models have a separate detergent tank that attaches directly onto the unit. This is usually required if you want to use bleach or other cleaning chemicals in addition to regular soap. It also makes it easy for quick refills as well as easier storage when not in use since it doesn’t take up any space on the machine itself like some other models do.
You Can Also Read: Best Car Wash Brush With Soap Dispenser Reviews in 2022
Do you need to dilute car soap for a pressure washer?
It depends on whether you are using the regular car soap or the foam soap for pressure washer. If using the regular car shampoo, you don’t need to dilute it. Just apply directly on the surface of your car and use your washer to clean off the dirt.
However, if using a foam soap that is specially formulated for your specific type of power washer, then you have to dilute it. This is because car soaps for pressure washers tend to be highly concentrated. So, you must dilute the soap with water before use. But be sure to confirm what is the right water to soap concentrate ratio, so you don’t end up over or under-diluting the soap.
Are There Any Alternative cleaning solutions for pressure washers
Purpose-specific cleaning solutions
There are many purpose-specific cleaning solutions available that are designed for use with pressure washers. These solutions may be more effective at removing certain types of dirt or stains, such as oil, grease, or mildew. Examples include concrete cleaner, deck cleaner, and patio cleaner.
Eco-friendly cleaning solutions
If you are concerned about the environmental impact of your cleaning products, there are many eco-friendly cleaning solutions available that are suitable for use with pressure washers. These solutions are typically made from natural ingredients and are biodegradable, making them safer for the environment and for people. Examples include vinegar, citrus-based cleaners, and baking soda.
Can You Use Car Wash Soap In A Pressure Washer-FAQs
Can You Use Meguiar’s Car Wash In A Pressure Washer
We have used Meguiar’s car wash in a pressure washer. It works great. You just need to make sure that it is mixed properly and that you have the correct amount of soap for your pressure washer.
Can You Use Car Wash Concentrate In A Pressure Washer
You can use it, but it will take longer than using a regular car wash soap. If you use the concentrate, you’ll need to dilute it with water before you spray it on your car.
If you’re going to use a pressure washer to clean your car, we recommend using pressure washer compatible car wash soaps instead of a car wash concentrate because they’re easier to use and less expensive.
Can You Use Dawn Dish Soap In Pressure Washer
Yes, you can use Dawn dish soap in a pressure washer. However, you should never use any type of dish soap or laundry detergent in your pressure washer. These products are not formulated to be used in pressure washers and can clog up your pump and make it stop working properly.
Conclusion
When you use a pressure washer to clean your car, you save on time and even conserve water. However, not every car wash soap or detergent you find on the market will be safe for use with your washer and car. Some car soaps may end up damaging your washer’s nozzles, as we have seen in this ‘can you use car wash soap in a pressure washer?’ guide. The good news is that there are several car wash soaps specially designed for use in a pressure washer. You just need to find the right product and make sure to dilute the soap if it is highly concentrated.