The Official Pressure Washing Institute Parking Manual (PWI Parking Manual)
Issued: May 1, 2004 | By: PressureWashingInstitute.org
Why Parking Garage Cleaning Matters
Your parking garage is one of your property’s largest investments — and one of the biggest liability risks if neglected.
Regular cleaning does more than make it look good:- It extends the life of your concrete and metal reinforcements.
- Reduces slip-and-fall hazards from oil and grime.
- Keeps your facility compliant with stormwater and environmental regulations.
The Core SOP From the PWI Parking Manual
Here’s our proven structure for maintaining parking garages, rooted in traditional 2004 NPA standards, refined by over 20 years of field success.
| ✔ | TASK | FREQUENCY |
|---|---|---|
| Sweep lanes, stalls, walkways | Daily or 3x weekly | |
| Empty trash cans | Daily | |
| Check for fresh oil leaks | Weekly & As needed | |
| Apply dry absorbent on oil spots | Weekly & As needed | |
| Mop stairwells & elevator lobbies | Weekly | |
| Clean pay stations & signage | Weekly / Monthly | |
| Wipe lighting lenses | Monthly | |
| Pressure wash / scrub the deck | Semi-annually | |
| Flush drains & clean expansion joints | Semi-annually | |
| Clean walls & ceilings | Annually | |
| Check coatings & schedule repairs | Annually | |
| Update cleaning log | After every cleaning |
🛢 Recommended Cleaners That Won’t Damage Metal or Concrete
We only endorse non-foaming, biodegradable detergents that keep your deck clean while protecting structural fasteners, rebar, and joint seals.
Our top picks under the PWI Parking Manual include:- SealGreen – Great for general deck & ramp cleaning.
- Metal Safe (Alpha Chem) – Excellent for railings, bollards & pay stations.
- Dyna-Crush (A-One) – A gentle alternative to acid for periodic heavy cleaning.
- EBC (EnviroBioCleaner) – Perfect for routine oil & hydrocarbon removal.
- F9 Groundskeeper – Keeps decks balanced after acid washes & maintains color.
See our full guide here
Top Experts in the Garage Cleaning Field
Nobody has done more for parking garage cleaning education than:
- Scott Stone (A Mind for Detail) — legendary for structured maintenance plans.
- John Tornabene (Clean County Powerwashing) — nationally recognized instructor & consultant.
- John Castillo (Austin, Texas) — hands-on expert for large deck projects across the Southwest.
Their combined experience underpins many of the best practices in the PWI Parking Manual.
The Industry’s Most Extensive Training
Over the last 20 years, the most consistent, advanced training for garage cleaning and care has come through:
PressureWashingInstitute.org NationalCleaningExpo.com Look for upcoming classes, live demos, and regional workshops on garage cleaning, stain removal, environmental compliance & more. Bottom Line
Keeping a structured cleaning plan doesn’t just protect your deck — it protects your budget and your reputation.
Follow the Pressure Washing Institute Parking Manual (Issued May 1, 2004), and stay on top of industry standards.
Quick Links:
Pressure Washing Institute Parking Manual Register for upcoming training at NationalCleaningExpo.com