Cleaning question

momoese · 02-23-2009, 08:21 PM

I need to scrub the wall on the rear of the house. Just water won't cut the dirt so have you any ideas on a cleaner that I could use that when washed off onto the soil won't be toxic? I'm thinking about using Simple Green and a brush on an extension pole.

Caloosamusa · 02-23-2009, 08:41 PM

"Orange cleaners" that use citric acid as active ingredient may be ok, but first check to make sure it does not damage the covering. I stay away from any cleaners that use chlorine, or chloride. Old fashion soaps work well for many things but probably not your wall. Green works by chlorox seems to be environmentally friendly, but I'm not sure about what is on your wall. Again, test first to make sure it will not damage any coverings or materials.

Best wishes, & hope this helps

momoese · 02-23-2009, 08:47 PM

Thanks I'll look into those. I wonder if need to worry about messing up the PH of the soil? My bamboo is planted pretty close to where I'll be washing. The dirt on the wall is up high. I think It's just grime from living in the city, and maybe a bit of mildew?

Chironex · 02-23-2009, 09:16 PM

Why not rent a pressure washer? Try it with straight water, it should remove mold or mildew quite easily.

Bob · 02-23-2009, 09:22 PM

Mitchell , cleaning in and out is my business. I've seen enough of green cleaning to know it's not the most efficient. Get a pressure washer , its worth the investment and in the long run most environmentally sound. If that's no good experiment with a rental. How often will you use it? On the occaision that you do it will work extremely well if you invest in a good one. More often than not only water is needed, no worries .

For the record simple green is a great product and I use it(not near my plants).

TomK · 02-23-2009, 10:12 PM

I'd also recommend the pressure washer route.

stumpy4700 · 02-23-2009, 10:43 PM

My wife swears by vinager (sp) (im sleepy), and a pressure washer.

momoese · 02-24-2009, 12:23 AM

Thanks, I thought about a pressure washer but realized the paint on this house is too fragile. It's a 1929 Spanish that had some bad prep between coats of paint and now has loose spots that feel like little pillows so being gentle is key right now. I do not want, or have the time to repaint. I'm just looking for a no toxic cleaner that I can lightly brush with a push broom and then gently hose off.

xavierdlc61887 · 02-24-2009, 12:36 AM

good old fashion water and brush :P thats the way to go....might take some endurance but should clean it right out and u water the plants at the same time :P

02-23-2009, 08:21 PM	#1 (permalink)
momoese Banana grower momoese's Photo Gallery Find me on the map! Zone: zone 10 Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 7,590 BananaBucks : 3,120 Feedback: 9 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,754 Times Was Thanked 10,888 Times in 3,311 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 729 Times	Cleaning question I need to scrub the wall on the rear of the house. Just water won't cut the dirt so have you any ideas on a cleaner that I could use that when washed off onto the soil won't be toxic? I'm thinking about using Simple Green and a brush on an extension pole.

02-23-2009, 08:41 PM	#2 (permalink)
Caloosamusa Caloosamusa's Photo Gallery Find me on the map! Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 3,578 BananaBucks : 28,153 Feedback: 1 / 67% Said "Thanks" 3,829 Times Was Thanked 1,556 Times in 675 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 334 Times	Re: Cleaning question "Orange cleaners" that use citric acid as active ingredient may be ok, but first check to make sure it does not damage the covering. I stay away from any cleaners that use chlorine, or chloride. Old fashion soaps work well for many things but probably not your wall. Green works by chlorox seems to be environmentally friendly, but I'm not sure about what is on your wall. Again, test first to make sure it will not damage any coverings or materials. Best wishes, & hope this helps

02-23-2009, 08:47 PM	#3 (permalink)
momoese Banana grower momoese's Photo Gallery Find me on the map! Zone: zone 10 Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 7,590 BananaBucks : 3,120 Feedback: 9 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,754 Times Was Thanked 10,888 Times in 3,311 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 729 Times	Re: Cleaning question Thanks I'll look into those. I wonder if need to worry about messing up the PH of the soil? My bamboo is planted pretty close to where I'll be washing. The dirt on the wall is up high. I think It's just grime from living in the city, and maybe a bit of mildew?

02-23-2009, 09:16 PM	#4 (permalink)
Chironex The causasian Asian! Chironex's Photo Gallery Location: Jakarta, Indonesia Find me on the map! Zone: I have no idea Name: Scot Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 2,788 BananaBucks : 121,955 Feedback: 9 / 100% Said "Thanks" 4,544 Times Was Thanked 1,406 Times in 808 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 609 Times	Re: Cleaning question Why not rent a pressure washer? Try it with straight water, it should remove mold or mildew quite easily. __________________ Scot

02-23-2009, 09:22 PM	#5 (permalink)
Bob Orang Puteh Bob's Photo Gallery Location: Washington Twp N.J. Find me on the map! Zone: 6a Name: bob Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 3,528 BananaBucks : 209,328 Feedback: 12 / 100% Said "Thanks" 9,537 Times Was Thanked 4,058 Times in 1,694 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 565 Times	Re: Cleaning question Mitchell , cleaning in and out is my business. I've seen enough of green cleaning to know it's not the most efficient. Get a pressure washer , its worth the investment and in the long run most environmentally sound. If that's no good experiment with a rental. How often will you use it? On the occaision that you do it will work extremely well if you invest in a good one. More often than not only water is needed, no worries . For the record simple green is a great product and I use it(not near my plants). __________________

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02-23-2009, 10:12 PM	#6 (permalink)
TomK TomK's Photo Gallery Location: Boca Raton, Florida Find me on the map! Zone: 10 Name: Tom Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 92 BananaBucks : 7,716 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 10 Times Was Thanked 40 Times in 30 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 30 Times	Re: Cleaning question I'd also recommend the pressure washer route.

02-23-2009, 10:43 PM	#7 (permalink)
stumpy4700 Going Ape for Bananas stumpy4700 's Photo Gallery Location: Satellite Beach, Fla Find me on the map! Zone: Zone 10 Name: Stumpy-----a.k.a Jeff Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 1,194 BananaBucks : 38,676 Feedback: 3 / 100% Said "Thanks" 1,353 Times Was Thanked 678 Times in 349 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1,300 Times	Re: Cleaning question My wife swears by vinager (sp) (im sleepy), and a pressure washer.

02-24-2009, 12:23 AM	#8 (permalink)
momoese Banana grower momoese's Photo Gallery Find me on the map! Zone: zone 10 Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 7,590 BananaBucks : 3,120 Feedback: 9 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,754 Times Was Thanked 10,888 Times in 3,311 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 729 Times	Re: Cleaning question Thanks, I thought about a pressure washer but realized the paint on this house is too fragile. It's a 1929 Spanish that had some bad prep between coats of paint and now has loose spots that feel like little pillows so being gentle is key right now. I do not want, or have the time to repaint. I'm just looking for a no toxic cleaner that I can lightly brush with a push broom and then gently hose off.

02-24-2009, 12:36 AM	#9 (permalink)
xavierdlc61887 xavierdlc61887's Photo Gallery Zone: 9b Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 870 BananaBucks : 9,957 Feedback: 19 / 100% Said "Thanks" 379 Times Was Thanked 343 Times in 183 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 107 Times	Re: Cleaning question good old fashion water and brush :P thats the way to go....might take some endurance but should clean it right out and u water the plants at the same time :P

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