The Ultimate Guide to Soft Washing Surfactants: What You Need to Know

By Mark Cave September 11, 2024

The Ultimate Guide to Soft Washing Surfactants: What You Need to Know

Are you looking to dive into the world of soft washing and uncover the role of surfactants? Soft washing is an essential part of maintaining exteriors like rendered walls and driveways. But one often overlooked aspect is the importance of surfactants within the cleaning mix. This guide will break down everything you need to know about surfactants in the soft washing process.

What is a Surfactant? 🧴

In simple terms, a surfactant, or surface-active agent, is a substance that helps lower the surface tension of the liquid it is dissolved in. This ability to reduce tension makes it easier for the cleaning solution to spread and penetrate surfaces, resulting in a more effective cleaning process.

For a deeper understanding of surfactant roles, check out our detailed podcast episode!

Why Are Surfactants Crucial in Soft Washing? 🏠

Why can't you just use water and soap for your cleaning tasks? Here's why:

Enhanced Penetration: Surfactants help the cleaning agents to reach deep-seated dirt and contaminants.
Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Balance:They balance the hydrophilic (water-loving) and hydrophobic (water-repelling) properties of the solution.
Protect Surfaces: A balance of surfactants prevents damage to delicate surfaces like painted walls and wooden decks.

To see expert advice on cleaning surfaces such as rendered walls, visit our blog on How to Clean Rendered Walls Effectively.

Common Types of Surfactants 🧹

Non-ionic: These surfactants are often used in industrial cleaning formulations and are known for being mild on surfaces.
Anionic: These are commonly found in household cleaning products but are usually harsher compared to non-ionic surfactants.
Cationic: These provide antibacterial properties, ideal for sanitation applications.

For a high-performance surfactant specifically developed for soft washing, check out Clever Wash Surfactant on SoftWash UK.

Choosing the Right Surfactant for Soft Washing 🧼

Not all surfactants are created equal, and the right choice can make all the difference:

Compatibility with Soft Wash Chemicals

The surfactant you choose should be compatible with your soft wash chemicals. For example, using sodium hypochlorite can be effective but requires a surfactant that won't neutralize its efficacy. Here's a useful mixing guide to get you started.

Surface Type Consideration

The type of surface you're cleaning plays a significant role in your surfactant choice. For instance, wooden surfaces need specific treatments. Check if sodium hypochlorite can be used on wood.

Environmental Impact 🌍

Surfactants can have a substantial impact on the environment. Always choose eco-friendly options to minimize damage to the surroundings.

Best Practices and Tips for Using Surfactants in Soft Washing

Here are some practical tips to make your next soft washing project a success:

Avoid Overuse: More surfactant doesn't mean better results. Follow the recommended mixing ratios.
Test on Small Areas: Always test your solution on a small, inconspicuous area before applying it widely.
Use Proper Equipment: Invest in quality soft washing equipment to ensure efficient and safe cleaning.

For quality equipment, explore our range at Soft Washing Equipment.

Wrapping Up 🎉

Understanding surfactants is crucial for anyone involved in soft washing. From choosing the right type to learning best practices, it can determine the success of your cleaning projects. Always aim for compatibility, consider the surface type, and remember your environmental responsibilities. Need more insights? Head over to SoftWash UK for expert advice and top-quality products.

Lest go! 📢

Ready to elevate your soft washing game? Visit SoftWash UK for all your soft washing needs!

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Soft Wash Calculator App

Now you can say I've got an app for that!

Available NOW Click Here To Download

Softwashing calculator is an indispensable tool for juggling complicated chemical mixes. It helps reduce wastage and keeps operating costs down by giving accurate proportions

If you are having difficulty getting your head around the maths, trying to work out what percentage of softwash you need, how much chemical, surfactant and water to add, then this is the App for you.

The Soft Wash Calculator App allows you to work out your soft wash recipe by telling you exactly how much chemical, how much water and how much surfactant to add to get the desired soft wash recipe.
It doesn't stop there!.
- It can also remix your leftover softwash to a new stronger or weaker recipe.
- all controls in one place for see at a glance operation
- ease of input via pre-loaded dials. no more calculator style typing
- instantly responds to changes of complex combinations
- works in both Litres and US Gallons
- tested for Protan and Deutan colourblind users
- links to SoftwashingUK website

Take this scenario
You started with a 1% soft wash recipe of 50 gal (or litres) for a deck clean and you’re left with 13 gallons.

You get a call from a prospective customer to clean their roof. Past experience tells you a 4% soft wash recipe is needed, but what about your leftover mix at 1%?.

Do you waste time and effort driving back to base to transfer into a standby tank?
You could consider the 13 gal as just water, top up the tank and start again.
But that’s throwing away the value of the mix and raising your overhead.

Soft Wash Calculator App to the rescue.

You get to the new job and it requires 100 gal / litres.
Switch into remix mode , confirming the 13 gal already in the tank
Move the dials to your new recipe and the app immediately updates the different amounts to add in front of your eyes including the correct amount of extra surfactant.

You now have a 100 gal / litres tank of 4% soft wash recipe ready for your roof clean job!

Not forgetting you’ve saved money too, all without stress and uncertainty . Don’t underestimate what confident calmness has on your customer putting out referrals.

The same applies if you have a 4% recipe left in your tank and you need to dilute it down to 2%. Again the app will tell you how.

Softwashing calculator will also work for any chemical recipe. For instance you can use it for Sodium Hypochlorite, Bleach, Biocide , TFR traffic film remover and degreaser. Even the mathematically-challenged rocket scientist can top up their booster tanks to new fuel mixes after launch delays caused by changing weather conditions.

Using this app you will know exactly what chemical strength to put on any surface giving you the confidence and the knowledge of a professional soft washer and you’ll save money as well.

So if you have little knowledge of how to mix a soft wash recipe then this app is for you.
If you have little knowledge of how to remix a soft wash recipe then this app is for you.
If you want to save money when mixing a soft wash recipe then this app is for you.

This app is also backward compatible to devices running iOS7. We've done this so you can re-purpose an old iPhone 4 or iPod Touch 5 for what could be hazardous work environments. Just toss one in your cleaning van's toolkit.

Once you learn the methods and procedures of how to apply the soft wash to the different surfaces that need cleaning you’ll be unstoppable!

The app also has a guide to what percentage for what surface. And if you are the lucky owner of a Clever Injector it will remind you the correct setting for the job.
However you should always consider and risk assess what soft wash recipe you need to clean the surface.

** A major iOS code-base change may require a re-purchase. The appiverse at the time will confirm our promise that we won't do so unless the necessity is apparent.

01733 736191 Voicemail