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Jimbee's avatar
Jimbee
Explorer
Jul 19, 2017

Power Washer soap

Hey All,

Have any of you tried using your power washer with house washing detergent on your camper? My washer has a super low pressure setting for applying detergent at a very LOW pressure and it sure covers large areas quickly. Seems like a faster option than a sponge, bucket and step ladder. Is the detergent too strong for decals, fiberglass etc.?

Thanks!

18 Replies

  • Community Alumni's avatar
    Community Alumni
    If you're looking to speed up the process then what you need is a foam cannon. You can cover the whole trailer with soap in no time. Spray on the soap with the foam cannon, brush it in with a long reach brush, then use a regular hose to wash it off.
  • I use any multipurpose soap on my house siding and have low pressure, long reach nozzles to do so.
    bumpy
  • GrandpaKip wrote:
    A power washer gets its effectiveness from high pressure. I don't see the benefit of using low pressure other than to put out a lot of soap at once. As mentioned, to really get it clean, you will probably have to use good old manual labor.


    Neither do I and I've had pressure washers for decades. I prefer not to pressure wash ANY rv. Reason being is that pressure washing can (and will) inject water in any seal area that is the slightest compromised.

    Water and RV's don't mix well. Water intrusion = rotten wood, mold and eventually the unit is junk. Why accelerate the process by pressure washing when a bucket of suds and a sponge and / or brush is much less invasive.

    Most owner are already lax in seal maintenance or never even check them.
  • A power washer gets its effectiveness from high pressure. I don't see the benefit of using low pressure other than to put out a lot of soap at once. As mentioned, to really get it clean, you will probably have to use good old manual labor.
  • Detergents removes wax so you may want to rewax afterwards.

    I've found Purple Power products works with my power washer on my 50 hp blue tractor/house/and cleaning concrete sidewalks/white plastic 3 rail fencing and pad in front of my garage.
    I wash the rv by hand using a soft hand towel or a soft brush made for washing rvs and some type of car wash soap.
    Power washers don't remove dried sun baked road grime like hand washing or the brush.
    I have used the power washer with the wash and wax on the front cap removing bug splatters.....but I always rewaxed it by hand afterwards
  • I use Dawn dish soap in the power washer, works very well and does not harm the vinyl graphics. I apply the soap and use a soft brush to loosen the grime, then higher pressure to rinse.
  • Ever take your car to a car wash and just use the power sprayer and their soap? Every time I do I end up washing it by hand anyway ( or use their brush ) as it never does a good job. A power wash is good for removing debris and things stuck on, but not real good at getting it clean. Of course this is just my opinion.
  • I see neighbor using power washer on his camper often and it must be ok.