Chlorine vs. bleach

Clean County

New Member
What is the preferred chemical of choice in residential exterior house washing to be mixed with other chemicals to do the job is it bleach or chlorine?
We all know that chlorine is more then twice the strength of bleach but is it to strong for residential cleaning where it will get in contact with the landscaping and possibly cause some plants to die? Considering that the plants near the house are watered down thoroughly would this be enough to prevent them from dying when they get in contact with chlorine even if they are rinsed down after this contact? -John-

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JR Wood

New Member
I don't know about everbody else ,but I use chlorine because it turns out cheaper in the long run(I dilute bleach as much as 10:1, rarely though).I dilute it twice as much and get a lot more out of it.Plus you always have the option of making as strong as you want,if you are having a problem.I have never had a problem with plants,I just rinse down before and after and keep an eye on the drift.If you happen to spray it directly on some shrubs just rinse it off as fast as you can.

An after thought: I have been having trouble finding chlorine as easily as I could in the past.At least two of the pool and spa places I used to get it from stopped selling it and use calcium chlorite,because chlorine bleaches out the pool liners.I used to get it from walmart also and now I can't find it there either(in certain locations,I found it in one in Pennsylvania)

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<FONT size="1"><FONT COLOR="Black">J.R WOOD POWER WASHING*1-800-782-9919
ABACUS DECK CARE*1-866-7-ABACUS
J&B SNOW PLOW*1-973-328-6650
SHOWCASE LAWNS OF NEW JERSEY*1-866-SHOCASE</FONT s>
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DID SOMEONE SAY DIVERSIFY?</FONT s>
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[This message has been edited by JR Wood (edited March 08, 2001).]
 

Dan Flynn

PWN Founder
I had a problem with bleach one time when we were in IL. But used it on several homes here in the Texas area and never had a problem.

Both work in most situations, but I agree with JR.

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Dan Flynn
Timberland Power Wash
www.powerwash.net
Houston, Texas.
 

Dan Flynn

PWN Founder
Well in IL. we never really used bleach or chlorine for cleaning. One time I did have a stucco home that I did a small test patch at the bottom of the home. I waited a few seconds and rinsed with a garden hose. The next time I went back the guy said some of his plants were dead.

In Texas I have sprayed tons of it and it has landed on all kinds of plants, bushes and grass. I am talking about a heavy amount and with a little rinse here and there, never had a problem. Go Figure

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Dan Flynn
Timberland Power Wash
www.powerwash.net
Houston, Texas.
 

Mike Hughes

New Member
That guys plants were probably on the verge of death anyway.......
hapfac01.gif


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Mike Hughes
Everclear
Souderton, PA
 

Clean County

New Member
JR you read my mind. What you said is exactly what I was thinking when I posted this question. This year I am going to give chlorine a shot mainly because of its strenth compared to bleach which means I can dilute it more and also because a friend of mind has a pool business and his yard is around 1 mile from my house and of course he will give it to me at cost(His words).
Dan I agree with Mike his plants were probably near death anyway and he probably had bad intentions to start out with. Just by your response stating that you only did a test patch and he calls saying you killed his plants. Everybody somewhere along the lines runs into a nut job like that guy. -John-

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JR Wood

New Member
Being a plant guy and a former landscaper'I can tell you that it could have been a lot of factors.If you work in the morning you should just have to do a "cursory rinse" because the plants have replinished their water supply early in the morning(That's why you take cuttings in the morning)If you spray bleach on a plant when it is thirsty,like during a drought or a very dry morning(even if you have rinsed it off)you will do alot of damage because the plant will absorb the salt very quickly and the salt will prevent the plant from absorbing moisture and nutrients which can kill a plant very quickly.

So the moral of this story is,if you are working on a very dry afternoon or it has been very dry lately,water the plants at the roots and mist the leaves as soon as you get to the job,set up and then mist again and you should be fine.I seem to just do this automatically anyway because I love plants and have it in the "BLOOD"!

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<FONT size="1"><FONT COLOR="Black">J.R WOOD POWER WASHING*1-800-782-9919
ABACUS DECK CARE*1-866-7-ABACUS
J&B SNOW PLOW*1-973-328-6650
SHOWCASE LAWNS OF NEW JERSEY*1-866-SHOCASE</FONT s>
</FONT c>

<FONT size="2"><FONT COLOR="red">
DID SOMEONE SAY DIVERSIFY?</FONT s>
</FONT c>
 

rvagnoni

New Member
JR,

If you are still looking for a source for your sodium hypochlorite supply. I know a dealer here in PA that might ship up north to your area. Give me a call.
(610) 584-7896.


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Rick - Deck Care Plus
Find a purpose in life so big it will challenge every capacity to be at your best.
--David O. McKay
 

JR Wood

New Member
Hey Rick,
Nice to see you're back.Haven't heard from you for a while.I still got one more reliable source for sodium hypochlorite,it is in New jersey and a little out of the way,We will see though, I thought this last year and all of a sudden BUST!You may be hearing from me!

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<FONT size="1"><FONT COLOR="Black">J.R WOOD POWER WASHING*1-800-782-9919
ABACUS DECK CARE*1-866-7-ABACUS
J&B SNOW PLOW*1-973-328-6650
SHOWCASE LAWNS OF NEW JERSEY*1-866-SHOCASE</FONT s>
</FONT c>

<FONT size="2"><FONT COLOR="red">
DID SOMEONE SAY DIVERSIFY?</FONT s>
</FONT c>
 

rvagnoni

New Member
No problem JR. Thanks for the welcome back though. Don't get on here as much as I would like.

Let me know if I can help.

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Rick - Deck Care Plus
Find a purpose in life so big it will challenge every capacity to be at your best.
--David O. McKay

[This message has been edited by rvagnoni (edited March 13, 2001).]
 

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