Hey there, Cody from Southeast Softwash here! Today, we’re diving deep into surfactants—an essential part of the soft washing and pressure washing world. You’ve likely heard the term tossed around, but what exactly is a surfactant? And why is it so important? Let’s break it down.
What is a Surfactant?
Surfactants are chemical additives that we often refer to as soaps, although they are technically different. They are surface-acting agents that contain wetting agents and some cleaning power, crucial for specific jobs. They perform several key functions in soft washing, which we’ll discuss shortly.
But before we get into that, a quick reminder: if you’re looking to learn more about the business side of things—how to make money, troubleshoot equipment, market your services, and more—join us at WashCon in February in Nashville, Tennessee. We’ve got a fantastic event lined up with only 100 tickets available, and they’re going fast. So, check out the link in the description or comments to secure your spot!
Understanding Our Surfactants
We take great pride in our products at Southeast Softwash, including our popular surfactants, Southern Slang and Southern Drawl. These have been tremendously successful, with hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth sold. Here’s why they’re a game-changer:
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Color and Quality: Our new formula for Southern Slang (Cherry) is now a more robust red, improving its visibility and performance. We switched to a new company for production, ensuring top-notch quality without the shady business practices we encountered before.
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Versatility and Performance: Both Southern Slang (Cherry) and Southern Drawl (Lemon) are excellent for soft washing. They dilute at a 15:1 ratio, perfect for our soap tanks. Whether you’re using a 16-gallon or 30-gallon tank, these surfactants mix well and perform consistently.
How to Use Surfactants
Here’s a step-by-step guide to using our surfactants effectively:
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Mixing: For a 16-gallon soap tank, add one gallon of surfactant and fill the rest with water. Adjust the dilution using your blend manifold depending on the job—more for roofs, less for house washes, and minimal for pre-treating driveways.
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Thickening: I like to mix mine a bit thicker (around 10:1) for better performance. If you run low, you can top off with water without losing effectiveness.
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Application: Surfactants break surface tension, helping to rinse away dirt, cobwebs, and debris. They also thicken your mix, reducing bleach usage and preventing plant damage.
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Cover Scent: Both our cherry and lemon surfactants have strong cover scents, masking the bleach smell and making the job site more pleasant.
Practical Demonstration
To show the effectiveness, I performed a quick test with our surfactants:
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Southern Slang (Cherry): Visible transition to a bright red, helping to identify when the mix is active.
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Southern Drawl (Lemon): Bright yellow, equally effective and easy to spot during application.
These visual cues are crucial for ensuring you’re using the right mix and avoiding mistakes in the field.
Conclusion
Surfactants are indispensable in soft washing, enhancing cleaning power, reducing bleach usage, and providing a pleasant cover scent. If you’re serious about your soft washing business, our Southern Slang and Southern Drawl surfactants are must-haves.
Want to get your hands on these amazing products? Head to our web store through the link in the description. And don’t forget to join us at WashCon for an immersive learning experience with industry experts.
Stay tuned, stay safe, and happy washing!
