The Home Depot Hustle: Pressure Washing Chemicals Reviewed
What’s up guys! If you’re just stepping into the pressure washing world and Home Depot is your go-to spot for gear and chemicals—this post is for you. We’re doing a full walk-through of what’s actually useful in the pressure washing aisle and what’s nothing more than overpriced, watered-down hype.
And if you’re looking to skip the trial-and-error and want to learn everything about cleaning chemicals, ratios, and techniques the right way, from day one, then don’t miss your chance to attend the Serious Starter Softwash Boot Camp with Aaron Parker, happening July 12–13, 2025. Full details at the end of this post. Let’s dive in.
Where Every Pressure Washer Starts: Home Depot
Let’s be honest—most new guys in the game start here. You watch a YouTube video, get pumped, and head to your nearest Home Depot or Lowe’s. You want chemicals, hoses, maybe even a pressure washer to get rolling. But what’s actually good here, and what should you leave on the shelf?
Chemical #1: Mold Armor
💸 Price: $17.97
🧪 What it is: Watered-down bleach
❌ Verdict: Skip it.
Mold Armor is basically sodium hypochlorite (bleach) at a very low concentration—and they charge premium prices for it. You’re way better off buying 12.5% industrial bleach for $4/gallon if you can find it. Mold Armor is for homeowners, not pros.
✅ Pro Tip: Buy your bleach from a professional supplier like Southeast Softwash to save money and get results.
Chemical #2: Zep Purple Degreaser
🟣 They’re clearly trying to mimic “Purple Power”
⚙️ Great for: Light degreasing
❌ Not great for: Dumpster pads, drive-thrus, oil stains
If you're in a tight spot, Zep will work—for a basic patio maybe—but for professional work, you'll want something with real muscle, like Dynamite Degreaser from Southeast Softwash.
Chemical #3: Zep House and Siding Cleaner
🔬 Unknown active ingredients
🚫 May leave residue or dry weird on windows
❌ Verdict: Hard pass.
If it doesn’t tell you what's in it, you don’t want to use it on a client’s house. Stick to products you understand.
Chemical #4: Wood Cleaner Mystery Juice
❓ Doesn’t list active ingredient
❌ Verdict: Not worth it.
You want something like Wood Wizard, a metasilicate-based cleaner that restores wood without bleaching or stripping the natural tone. Bleach on wood? A common but often ugly mistake.
The Bleach Situation
🧪 4.5% Bleach: Weak. Skip.
🧪 7.5% Bleach: Better. Still not ideal, but okay in a pinch.
📦 Industrial 12.5% Bleach: The gold standard. Use less, get more results.
👷♂️ Fun Fact: Some guys buy 10–15 jugs of the 7.5% and spend $50 for 10 gallons, when they could have had better bleach for less money.
Bonus Hack: Bead Trick
Some guys sprinkle scented laundry beads at the front door of a house. When wet, they release fragrance and leave a good impression. It’s not necessary, but it’s a neat little customer experience add-on.
So, What Should You Use?
Let’s make it simple:
| Use Case | What to Buy Instead |
|---|---|
| House Washing | 12.5% SH + Surfactant (like Southern Drawl) |
| Degreasing | Dynamite Degreaser |
| Wood Cleaning | Wood Wizard |
| Rust Removal | F9 or Rust Rescue |
| General Pro Use | Anything from Southeast Softwash |
If you’re serious about pressure washing as a business—not a hobby—Home Depot is a last resort, not your first stop.
Don’t Get Stuck in the Aisle: Learn the Game
You don’t want to waste months trying random jugs from Home Depot. You want to:
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Know exactly what chemicals to use
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How to mix and apply them safely
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How to avoid damaging client property
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How to price jobs and run a real business
That’s exactly why we recommend:
💥 Serious Starter Softwash Boot Camp
🗓️ July 12–13, 2025
📍 Southeast Softwash HQ
🎓 Taught by Aaron Parker + Industry Vets
This 2-day hands-on training is for new guys who want to start strong and stay safe.
You’ll Learn:
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Chemical ratios and mixology
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Equipment setup and maintenance
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Business systems for success
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On-site washing techniques
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How to avoid liability and damage
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And much more
🎯 This isn’t theory—it’s proven systems taught by guys who’ve built million-dollar operations.
👉 Reserve your spot here before it fills up.
Final Word
Home Depot might be where the journey starts—but it’s not where it ends. If you want pro results, use pro-grade chemicals and learn from the best. Don’t waste months guessing what works.
🚀 Learn the trade. Get the tools. Build your brand.
💬 And remember—comment “Flat Rate” below if you’ve ever walked the aisles of HD looking for answers. You’re not alone.
Until next time, stay lean, stay mean, and get that green.
– The Forever Self-Employed Crew
