I ran into a competitor of mine and I asked what he uses for a housewash detergent. He said copper sulfate and bleach. I don't use bleach on anything. I use a sodium metasilicate detergent for houses, trucks, trailers etc;. I'm finding I'm having a hard time lately with black mold/mildew on vynal siding. Should I be using a different chemical for house washing? Anyway, what is copper sulfate? does it help with mold/mildew?
copper sulfate/bleach ?
- Thread starter mark-b
- Start date
Mike Hughes
Former Board Administrator
Can you describe the "black mold/mildew" a bit more? Might you be talking about shotgun/artillery fungus?
http://plantclinic.cornell.edu/FactSheets/artfungus/artilleryfungus.htm
http://plantclinic.cornell.edu/FactSheets/artfungus/artilleryfungus.htm
Mike, The mildew I'm talking about isn't the shotgun mildew. I run into what I believe are spider droppings but haven't had trouble with that. This is black mildew that usually collects on the shaded side of houses. I did a house and garage today that had this mildew on it and it took me three hours. I feel it should of taken only two hours but thats life-or is it? I'm gonna have to try a different chemical for houses. Didn't want to buy anything else because I have a good amount of what I've been using.
Mike Hughes
Former Board Administrator
If you're having a hard time with mildew I think its time you start applying some bleach...........I also put some "Pure Rinse" liquid Cascade in there too.............helps with the windows.
You should be able to add the bleach right into the mixture you're using now.
You should be able to add the bleach right into the mixture you're using now.
Mike,
Aren't you counteracting the surfactant in your detergent if you add a rinse agent to it. Cascade is made to work well with hot water in small enclosure environment (specifically in dishwashers), without creating suds (or foam).
I would think you would add rinse agent to your rinse water instead.
Aren't you counteracting the surfactant in your detergent if you add a rinse agent to it. Cascade is made to work well with hot water in small enclosure environment (specifically in dishwashers), without creating suds (or foam).
I would think you would add rinse agent to your rinse water instead.
Mike Hughes
Former Board Administrator
We've been doing this for years and it works just fine. I've always felt that the Cascade acts somewhat as a surfactant, because it is pretty thick itself. It is not something like "Jet-Dry" it is actual dishwashing detergent.
Works for us.
Works for us.