Your Cart ()
cload

GUARANTEED SAFE & SECURE CHECKOUT

Coupon Code: SoftWash Copy Code

🔥 Enjoy FREE Shipping with Every Single Order 🔥

Have a Question?

Phone Icon 01733 736191 Voicemail

Mon-Fri 9:00am-4.00pm

Understanding the Legal Use of Sodium Hypochlorite in Softwashing

By Mark Cave May 26, 2025

Understanding the Legal Use of Sodium Hypochlorite in Softwashing

Thanks to Ben Hawkins for initiating this important industry conversation by expressing the viewpoint that

“Softwashing without a biocidal claim….The whole point of Softwashing is that you kill the growths responsible for the dirty appearance hence allowing for a longer better clean.”

As exterior cleaning professionals, staying on the right side of the law while maintaining effective cleaning practices is vital.

Understanding the Legal Use of Sodium

Does Sodium Hypochlorite Always Count as a Biocide?

Many professionals use sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) to clean surfaces impacted by algae, lichen, or mold. But whether it's classed as a biocidal product under the law depends entirely on how it’s used and marketed.

What HSE Says

"A product is only within the scope of BPR if its intended use is to control harmful organisms by chemical or biological means."
HSE: Check if your product is regulated

So, if you're using pool-grade sodium hypochlorite to remove grime or brighten a patio without any biological control claims, it does not fall under the GB Biocidal Products Regulation (GB BPR). You are not required to register it as a biocide.

Legal Use Cases: What’s In and What’s Out

  • NOT a biocide: Sodium hypochlorite used only to remove stains or lift dirt, with no claim of controlling organic growth.
  • IS a biocide: Sodium hypochlorite marketed or used with the intent to kill algae, bacteria, moss, or fungi.

This distinction is consistent across both GB BPR (for England, Wales, and Scotland) and EU BPR (for Northern Ireland).

Real-World Example from Softwashing Practice

Our training at SoftWash UK reflects this. For example, when applying sodium hypochlorite to clean driveways or patios, we advise no claims of biocidal action unless you're using a registered biocide like:

Soft Wash Pro 50 Biocide

This product is fully compliant for jobs requiring biocidal claims—especially on surfaces plagued by biological staining.

Supporting HSE Guidance

Intent and Marketing Matter Most

Even if a chemical contains known biocidal ingredients, if your marketing and usage do not claim biological control, it's not regulated as a biocide. This is supported by examples HSE provides, such as:

“Use of essential oils for fragrance, not for insect repellent effects, excludes them from BPR.”

Key Takeaways for Exterior Cleaning Pros

  • Know your product's purpose: Is it for cleaning or killing?
  • Read the labels: Don’t imply a biocidal effect unless your product is registered.
  • Follow softwashing best practices: Responsible use of sodium hypochlorite includes protecting plants, using correct PPE, and managing runoff.

Need Help Navigating Compliance?

Join our SoftWash UK Training Program and gain CPD-certified knowledge in safe chemical handling, legal compliance, and proper softwashing application.

Conclusion

Sodium hypochlorite is a powerful cleaner—but whether it’s a biocide in the eyes of the law depends on how you use and present it. Stay informed, stay compliant, and let’s keep the softwashing industry safe and professional.

Further Reading: Visit HSE’s Biocides Guidance Portal.


Older Post Newer Post


0 comments


Leave a comment

Please note, comments must be approved before they are published

Newsletter

I agree to subscribe to updates from SoftWash UK™

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.



 

 

Available NOW