Pressure Washer Soap: How to Apply Soap the Right Way

Greenworks Blog Team
2025-06-17T00:00:00-04:00

Pressure washer soap is ideal for tackling grimy siding, a stained driveway, or caked-on mud on your car. Read to learn how to properly use pressure wash soap!
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A Simple Guide for Sparkling Results!

If you’re only using water with your pressure washer, you're missing out on one of the best tools in your cleaning arsenal: pressure washer soap. Whether you're tackling grimy siding, a stained driveway, or caked-on mud on your car, adding soap can make all the difference. In this Greenworks guide, we’ll show you how to properly pressure wash with soap, what kind of soap for pressure washers to use, and how to get the most out of your equipment.

Suds Up! 4 Steps for Pressure Washing with Soap

Step 1: Choose the Right Pressure Washer Soap

Not all soaps are created equal—especially when it comes to high-powered cleaning! You’ll want to pick a pressure washer soap that’s designed for your surface and compatible with your machine. Here are three types to consider:

1. Pressure washer car soap: Gentle on paint but tough on road grime.

2. Concrete or driveway soap for pressure washing: Formulated to cut through oil and mildew.

3. All-purpose pressure washer soap: Ideal for siding, fences, and outdoor furniture.

Using the best pressure washer soap for your task ensures a deep clean without damaging surfaces.

Step 2: Fill the Pressure Washer Soap Dispenser

Most pressure washers come with a soap dispenser or onboard detergent tank. If yours doesn’t, you can attach an external pressure washer soap dispenser or use a foam cannon accessory. Follow these simple steps:

1. Dilute the soap according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

2. Pour it into the detergent tank or attach your dispenser.

3. Switch your pressure washer to the “soap” setting—this often reduces pressure to help the detergent cling better.

GREENWORKS TIP: To apply any type of soap for your pressure washing task, use a low-pressure black nozzle, which is specifically designed for applying soap. The black nozzle on a pressure washer has a wide, gentle spray pattern (typically 65 degrees).

Step 3: Apply the Soap Evenly

With your setup ready, begin to pressure wash with soap using smooth, overlapping strokes. Start from the bottom and work your way up. This prevents streaking and gives the soap more dwell time to break down dirt.

If you're using soap for pressure washing a car, let the soap sit for a few minutes to loosen tough grime, but don’t let it dry on the surface.

Step 4: Rinse with Clean Water

Once the soap has done its job, it’s time to rinse. Switch your nozzle to a higher-pressure setting (like the 25° green tip) and go from top to bottom. This ensures you won’t push soap into crevices or leave behind a filmy residue.

For car lovers, using the correct pressure washer car soap combined with a good rinse can make your vehicle shine like new—without the need for hand scrubbing!

Bright Ideas When Pressure Washing with Soap

Never use bleach or harsh chemicals in your washer. These can damage seals and void your warranty.

Store leftover soap for your pressure washer in a cool, dry place to preserve its potency.

For the ultimate shine, try a two-step wash: Soap first, rinse, then apply a wax coating (many pressure washer soap brands offer this).

Final Thoughts

By adding the right soap for pressure washing to your cleaning routine, you'll not only save time and effort—you'll get better, longer-lasting results. Whether you're freshening up patio furniture or detailing your car, don’t underestimate the power of a few suds.

Never used a pressure washer before? Read this step-by-step guide for beginners!

In the market for a new pressure washer? Let us help you with our Pressure Washer Buying Guide: Everything You Need to Know.

Written by The Green Team, a creative arm within Greenworks Tools.

Our team of writers, designers and content creators bring a breadth of experience and a touch of fun to all things tools. With an assist from the Greenworks product teams and technology experts, we’re here to provide helpful and engaging content to make your yard (and life!) beautiful.

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