Soft Washing: Addressing the Chemical Smell
We understand that the chemical scent from a soft wash can be a concern for homeowners in Tallahassee, Florida. While we do add a surfactant that has a pleasant cover scent to our soft wash soap to make the washing process more enjoyable, it’s important to understand that this is temporary. The cover scent masks the odor of sodium hypochlorite (the main active ingredient in a soft wash soap), which can linger after the wash dries.
Essentially, the bleach concentration determines the odor strength and how long it lingers. Stronger concentrations are used for tougher jobs on roofs but come with a stronger odor that lasts longer. Milder concentrations used for our professional Soft Washing Tallahassee services have a weaker odor that dissipates quicker.
Understanding the Strength of the Odor
The concentration of sodium hypochlorite used in the wash solution can change the strength and duration of the chemical smell. Here’s a breakdown:
Roof Cleaning: A stronger solution (3-5% sodium hypochlorite) is typically used for roof cleaning per most shingle manufacturers’ cleaning instructions when tackling heavy algae growth. This can result in a stronger odor that lingers outdoors for several days.
Soft Wash House Washing: On the other hand, soft wash house washing and most exterior soft washing applications use a much milder solution, typically less than 1% sodium hypochlorite. This gentler approach is suitable for cleaning siding, patios, and other exterior surfaces. The benefit? A less noticeable odor that usually fades within a day.
Our Favorite Surfactants for Masking Bleach Smells
Elemonator from Pressure Tek: This is an industry standard and one of our go-to products. It provides an excellent lemon scent that does a fantastic job of masking the bleach smell while providing the perfect amount of cling.
Snotmenade from Pressure Washer Products: Another incredible option that we love using, which comes in both Lemon and Cherry scents. It mixes perfectly into our tanks and leaves a great lingering fragrance around the property.
Both of these vendors are phenomenal to work with and supply top-tier products to the industry. In fact, if you’re curious about where we get our gear, we actually featured both of them in our list of the top 3 pressure washer supply companies we use and recommend.
Minimizing the Disruption
While the odor may linger for a short while, rest assured that the fresh scent of a clean exterior will soon take its place. Pro Tip: We always recommend keeping your windows and doors closed during the washing process and for an hour or two afterward to keep the scent outside.
To further minimize any inconvenience, we can schedule your cleaning for a day that best suits your needs. Our goal is to provide a thorough wash while ensuring your comfort throughout the process.
