Eco Friendly Chemicals for Pressure Washing

At the December 2022 UN Biodiversity Conference (COP 15), which was held in Montreal, Canada, approximately 190 countries from around the world approved an agreement for a new set of goals to halt and reverse the severe impact of human actions on losses in nature. Attendees agreed to initiate worldwide efforts to protect 30% of the earth’s land and oceans by the year 2030, and also agreed to other measures to protect against biodiversity loss. This action means that most of the world’s governments have recognized the damage inflicted on natural species and habitats by human activities.

As attention continues to focus on actions, large and small, which can be taken to protect the biodiversity of our planet, one area to look at is pressure washing chemicals. Although pressure washing, in and of itself, is a great way to remove dirt, grime, paint and graffiti, it is not simply a matter of spraying water on a surface at a high degree of intensity. Usually there is some type of cleaning agent, chemical, or detergent involved. These can be harsh, and may cause environmental damage while performing their functions. Fortunately, there are eco-friendly pressure washing chemicals which perform the job just as well without raising environmental concerns.

Why Use Bio Based Pressure Washing Chemicals?

There are many situations where power washing is a great solution to improve the appearance of a commercial or residential building. A commercial building owner might wish to remove graffiti or old paint, or clean an asphalt parking lot, while a homeowner might want to eliminate mold, algae, or grime caused by weather conditions. While chemicals or solvents are effective at accomplishing the end goal, the water used in the process has to go somewhere. It usually ends up in the local water system, nearby waterways, the underground water table, or the surrounding land, where the harsh chemicals can cause severe harm to plants and wildlife. The Power Washers of North America (PWNA) confirms that eco friendly pressure washing chemicals, however, have many advantages over the chemical-based process, including:

• Eco friendly alternatives eliminate the need for chemicals which have the potential to create environmental damage.
• Efficiently cleans large areas in a short period of time.
• Power washing is cheaper than repainting or replacing materials like bricks, concrete, asphalt, and siding.
• Bio-based pressure washing chemicals preserve surrounding land, grass, plants, and gardens.
• Pressure washing uses less water than other methods of removing dirt and paint.
• It protects humans and animals from possible exposure to dangerous chemicals.
• Leaves the surface looking clean and restored in a safe manner.

How To Use Eco Friendly Pressure Washing Chemicals

Many solvents used in pressure washing can be bleach or petroleum-based, which is an environmental concern for many reasons. Making the switch to eco friendly pressure washing chemicals is easy and beneficial for businesses and the planet. Some ways in which eco friendly alternatives can be used include:

• Eco Friendly Pressure Washing for Asphalt: A pressure washer can be effective at removing dirt from asphalt, but the concerns here are in regard to runoff, and damage to the asphalt surface from the use of harsh chemicals. The asphalt itself is a petroleum-based product, and driveways or parking lots which have been stained by oil or petroleum can be especially tough to clean. While visible puddles can be soaked up, those which have sunk into the material require a different approach. Use an environmentally safe degreaser cleaner to address stains, and maintain the pressure washer at a low setting to avoid damaging the asphalt particles.
• Eco Friendly Pressure Washing for Paint: Pressure washing can be used to remove loose paint from metal, wood, concrete, and exterior surfaces, but chemicals can damage the underlying materials. Use an eco-friendly solution that does not damage the surface or the surrounding areas.
• Eco Friendly Pressure Washing for Graffiti Removal: When it comes to graffiti removal, the terms “environmentally friendly” and “high performing” do not need to be mutually exclusive. Vertec BioSolvents, for example, is working to revolutionize the power washing industry with every ethyl lactate, d-limonene, soy methyl ester or ethanol bio-based formulated product we develop.

Choose Vertec's Eco-Friendly Pressure Washing Chemicals

In keeping with local, national and global awareness for more eco-friendly alternatives, our line of Vertec Bio Gold products is ideal for power washing for the purpose of graffiti or paint removal. We help businesses be good corporate citizens and protectors of the environment, while still achieving their goals of presenting a clean and professional appearance. These products are also used as degreasers for cleaning parts. Our Gold line rinses with water, and combines a high level of cleaning power with low odor, low VOC's and high flash points:

• VertecBio Gold® #1: This is an ideal solvent for graffiti and paint removal. It has excellent solvent for paints, coatings, and inks, and can also be used to clean oily materials, adhesives, and inks. Made from renewable resources, it combines high cleaning power with a mild, pleasant odor. It has low vapor pressure and high loading capacity, and is 100% biodegradable to carbon dioxide and water. Best of all, there are no global warming compounds.
• VertecBio Gold® #1EG: A patented formula, VertecBio Gold® #1EG contains the highest level of ethyl lactate. Ideal for paint strippers, graffiti removers, heavy asphalt cleaners and degreasers. Safe, non-toxic, and non-carcinogenic, this product rinses easily with water.

Vertec BioSolvents provides environmentally friendly, high-performing biosolvent alternatives to traditional petroleum-based solvents for a wide range of industrial and agricultural market uses. Our bio-based green solvents and solvent blends are derived from corn, soybeans, citrus and other renewable feedstocks. None of our products contain any environmentally hazardous ingredients - no Ozone Depleting Chemicals and no hazardous air pollutants (HAPs). Proudly made in the USA, Vertec BioSolvents produces superior performance through sustainable technologies. Visit our website or call 630-960-0600 for more information, to request a sample, or to learn more about eco-friendly chemicals for pressure washing.