Pressure Washing Near Plants: Protecting Foliage and Roots from Bleach

When pressure washing your home, protecting nearby plants from bleach mixtures is a valid concern. Most homeowner pressure washers deliver a chemical-to-water ratio of 1:10 or greater via a suction tube. To determine your machine's exact dilution, place the suction tube in a quart of water and capture the discharge for five minutes; compare the amounts to calculate the ratio.

Plant Safety Tips

Any dilution more dilute than 1:10 is unlikely to harm foliage. Wet the leaves before starting and rinse them occasionally during work. Bleach quickly breaks down to chlorine gas and evaporates, so soil contamination is minimal. For a safer, more effective clean, consider a dedicated house-washing concentrate from a paint store that kills mildew and loosens dirt without harsh bleach.