The Best Pressure Washer Soaps for Cleaning, Stripping, and Degreasing

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Learn the best formula to use for washing homes, cars, driveways, decks, and grills.

Sure, you can clean driveways, siding, decks, and automobiles by hand, but a pressure washer loaded with pressure washer soap will save a lot of time and elbow grease. When paired with the best power washer detergent, a pressure washer can make a stained driveway or dirty home exterior look almost new again. The best soaps for pressure washers are designed to remove dirt, mildew, grease, and grime, and they typically do so by utilizing safe, eco-friendly ingredients.

We use pressure washers for many outdoor cleaning chores, so we were excited to see whether they would clean better if we used them with specifically designed soaps. To do so, we tested eight of the top pressure washer formulations on the market. We cleaned cars, driveways, siding, fences, motorcycles, and more, noting which cleaners performed the best in the process.

Ahead, learn more about the qualities to look for in this type of cleaning product and find out how the following products earned a spot on this lineup of the best pressure washer soaps.

1. BEST OVERALL: Sun Joe Heavy-Duty Pressure-Washer-Rated Cleaner 
2. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Karcher All-Purpose Detergent for Pressure Washers
3. BEST ENVIRONMENTALLY SAFE: Simple Green Oxy Solve Total Outdoor Cleaner
4. BEST FOR CARS: Karcher Vehicle Wash and Wax Detergent 
5. BEST FOR DECKS: Zep Wood Deck and Fence Pressure Wash Cleaner
6. BEST FOR SIDING: Krud Kutter House and Siding Pressure Washer Soap
7. BEST FOR DRIVEWAYS: Simple Green Oxy Solve Concrete and Driveway Cleaner
8. ALSO CONSIDER: Zep All-In-1 Premium Pressure Wash Cleaner

How We Tested the Best Pressure Washer Soaps

Before selecting pressure-washing soaps for hands-on testing, we carefully researched more than 35 different types. We considered the brand name to an extent—after all, names like Karcher and Sun Joe are well respected in the detergent industry for good reason. Still, we didn’t automatically eliminate smaller or up-and-coming brands if consumers ranked their products highly.

We selected soaps in various categories, looking for the best performers while keeping an eye out for eco-friendly products. 

In testing, we filled the soap dispensers of our pressure washers (or we diluted the detergent in a 5-gallon bucket, if applicable) and started washing. We tested each pressure washer soap on the appropriate surfaces. If it was meant for cars, we washed cars or motorcycles. If it was made to clean exterior wood, we used it on decks or fences. 

As we conducted our tests, we awarded points via a rubric—the better a soap was at cleaning a listed surface, the higher the points it received. We also awarded points for good-smelling (or non-scented) soaps and noted whether they left any residue. After testing, we averaged the points and used them to determine our top performers and categorize each by its best use. 

Testing Stats

• Products tested: 8
• Hours spent testing: 10+
• Tests performed: Cleaning stains, cleaning grease, odor detection, surface inspection
• Average price: $25.50 per gallon

Our Top Picks

The following picks include all-purpose pressure washer cleaners and some formulated to suit specific jobs. Each one was extensively tested to see if it stood up to the manufacturer’s claims. One is sure to be a good pick for your outdoor pressure-washing projects. 

Best Overall

Sun Joe Heavy-Duty Pressure-Washer-Rated Cleaner

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Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Effectiveness 4.5/5; Scent 5/5; Value 5/5

Product Specs 

• Type: Concentrated
• Surfaces: All-purpose (wood, metal, vinyl, masonry, etc.)
• Biodegradable: Yes

Pros

• The all-purpose formula is suitable for cleaning multiple surfaces, making it a versatile choice
• Biodegradable and safe for use around grass, wildlife, plants, and pets
• Can be poured into the soap reservoir of a pressure washer or diluted for spot-cleaning

Cons

• May not be as strong as some specialized cleaners; grease may require additional cleaning

With its all-purpose formula, Sun Joe’s pressure washer cleaner is a great option for cleaning various surfaces around the house and yard. It effectively removes dirt and grime from multiple surfaces. 

We filled up the soap reservoir of our power washer with the Sun Joe cleaner and tested its cleaning performance on a concrete driveway, truck tires with a thick layer of dried-on mud, and cement-fiber siding. The cleaner did a great job powering away dirt and mud, and it didn’t seem to leave any residue behind. It also cleaned away the majority of some old grease spots on the driveway, but not completely; a shadow of the stained area was still visible after a thorough power-cleaning. Still, it was much better than before. 

The cleaner is concentrated, so the 1-gallon bottle goes a long way. Sun Joe’s formula is biodegradable and safe for use around landscaping, wildlife, and family pets, and we didn’t notice any lingering odor or scent. In addition to being poured directly into the soap reservoir of a power washer, it can be diluted in a bucket of water and applied using a mop or brush for spot-cleaning areas unsuitable for pressure washing. 

Get the Sun Joe pressure washer soap at Amazon, Lowe’s, Walmart, or The Home Depot.

Best Bang for the Buck

Karcher All-Purpose Detergent for Pressure Washers

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Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4.5/5; Effectiveness 4.5/5; Scent 4/5; Value 5/5

Product Specs 

• Type: Concentrated
• Surfaces: All-purpose (wood, metal, vinyl, masonry, etc.)
• Biodegradable: Yes

Pros

• Cost-effective concentrated solution, with 1 gallon producing up to 20 gallons of cleaner
• Solution is biodegradable and suitable for use around landscaping and pets
• Versatile and suitable for use on several types of surfaces, including wood, brick, and metal

Cons

• May leave a slight residue on some surfaces and require rinsing

Budget-minded consumers would be hard-pressed to find a more affordable cleaner than this pressure washer soap from Karcher. It costs less than many pressure washer cleaners, and 1 gallon can produce up to 20 gallons of cleaner. 

We tested the Karcher solution by pressure-cleaning a concrete sidewalk, a brick landscape border, and some muddy truck tires. The solution easily cleaned away dirt and mud but left a faint hint of oil stains behind. We also noticed a slight residue after we’d cleaned the bricks, but it rinsed away quickly when we switched to plain water. 

In addition to being versatile, this pressure washer detergent is biodegradable, so it’s safe to use around landscaping and pets. It comes in 1-gallon and 1-quart bottles, though for maximum savings, it makes the best sense to go with the larger container. 

The solution has a slight scent we detected during washing, but it wasn’t overwhelming or off-putting, nor did it linger. In short, this is the best power washer soap for general cleaning purposes at an attractive price point. 

Get the Karcher all-purpose pressure washer soap at Amazon or The Home Depot.

Best Environmentally Safe

Simple Green Oxy Solve Total Outdoor Cleaner

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Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Effectiveness 4/5; Scent 4.5/5; Value 5/5

Product Specs 

• Type: Concentrated
• Surfaces: All-purpose (wood, metal, vinyl, masonry, etc.)
• Biodegradable: Yes

Pros

• Eco-friendly; meets high sustainability standards of the Amazon Climate Pledge Friendly and EPA Safer Choice Program 
• Effective at removing embedded dirt and mud from porous concrete and stucco surfaces
• Compatible with multiple surface materials, including concrete, brick, plastic, and more

Cons

• Didn’t remove rust stains around screws in a wood fence, though it did deep-clean the wood

Many pressure washer soaps are biodegradable and safe for the environment. However, the Simple Green Oxy Solve cleaner is one of a handful that makes Amazon’s Climate Pledge Friendly list. It also meets the high sustainability standards of the EPA’s Safer Choice Program. The cleaner uses the eco-friendly power of hydrogen peroxide to clean. 

We tested Oxy Solve for pressure-washing a concrete sidewalk, stucco siding, and a wood fence. It performed very well on the concrete and stucco, removing even embedded dirt and mud. It also did well on the wood fence, removing dirt and dinge and making it look newer. However, it wasn’t able to remove rust stains around the screws in the fence rail. 

We thought we detected a light, fresh scent as we power-washed with Oxy Solve, but it was so faint that we might have just imagined it. A big perk with this cleaner is that it left no residue behind, so we didn’t have to spend time rinsing. 

In addition to contributing to this cleaner’s environmentally safe designation, hydrogen peroxide is compatible with many surfaces. This includes masonry, plastic, metal, vinyl, wood, and even fabric. It can be used in a pressure washer, as we used it, or it can be diluted and brushed or sponged on. A single gallon of Simple Green Oxy Solve makes up to 21 gallons of cleaner. 

Get the Simple Green Total Outdoor Cleaner pressure washer soap at Amazon or Walmart. 

Best for Cars

Karcher Vehicle Wash and Wax Detergent

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Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4.4/5; Effectiveness 4.5/5; Scent 4.5/5; Value 5/5

Product Specs 

• Type: Concentrated
• Surfaces: Vehicles
• Biodegradable: Yes

Pros

• Powers away dirt and road grime and leaves a shiny luster on cars
• Can be applied with a foaming attachment on the power washer
• Specifically designed for use on automobiles, motorcycles, and similar vehicles

Cons

• May leave a slightly dull finish unless hand-dried with a chamois

When you’re selecting the best soap for power washing a car, cleaners that leave streaks simply won’t cut it. Karcher’s formula is designed to leave a clean finish thanks to a soap mix that rinses away grime and leaves a shiny luster on the car after rinsing. 

We tested this cleaner on a car and a motorcycle, using a foaming attachment on our power washer to apply it evenly. We sprayed the Karcher solution on one side of the car, let it sit for about 5 minutes, and then rinsed it off. On the other side, we applied the solution, used a soft car-cleaning brush to scrub away stuck-on highway grime, and then rinsed it off. Both sides were much cleaner, but the side we scrubbed was the cleanest. 

This solution leaves a film—the wax. We found that we got the best shine when we rinsed away all the soap with clear water and then dried the car with a chamois. When we let the car air-dry, it looked a little dull. 

The formulation is biodegradable, so it won’t harm grass or landscaping when it runs off the driveway. We really liked this power washer soap, but it’s only for automobiles, motorcycles, boats, and similar items. For the best-finished shine, be sure to dry with a chamois. 

Get the Karcher Vehicle Wash pressure wash soap at Amazon, The Home Depot (32 ounces), or Walmart.

Best for Decks

Zep Wood Deck and Fence Pressure Wash Cleaner

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Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4.5/5; Effectiveness 4.5/5; Scent 4/5; Value 4.5/5

Product Specs 

• Type: Concentrated
• Surfaces: Decks and fences
• Biodegradable: Not specified

Pros

• Effective for removing mold, mildew, and algae stains from exterior wood surfaces
• Restores the appearance of aged wood for a brighter, cleaner look
• Suitable for use on composite decking and PVC surfaces as well

Cons

• Not recommended for use on painted or stained wood surfaces

Over time, exterior wood can develop mold and mildew, leaving it looking drab and nothing like it did when it was new. Whether you just want a cleaner look or you’re prepping the wood for a new finish, Zep pressure washer soap can help. 

We tested the cleaning solution on a small treated-wood deck and on a cedar gate. The first thing we noticed was how the wood looked much cleaner as we were going, even though it was wet. When the wood dried, both the deck and the gate looked brighter, and the natural wood tones stood out more. The difference was especially noticeable on a section of deck railing that had darkened with mold. Zep stripped away the mold stain and left that area looking new. 

Zep is specially formulated for the job with its ability to kill and remove mold and mildew. It also brightens wood as it cleans, ensuring good results when the deck is refinished. The product also works on composite and PVC decking. 

The formula is diluted, so 1 gallon produces more than enough cleaner to wash up to 5,000 square feet of decking or fencing. But, it’s only meant for use on bare wood—it’s not designed for cleaning painted or stained wood. And we didn’t care for the scent, either. It’s not overwhelming, but we did detect a slightly acrid odor.

Get the Zep Wood Deck and Fence pressure washer soap at Amazon, The Home Depot, or Walmart.

Best for Siding

Krud Kutter House and Siding Pressure Washer Soap

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Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4.5/5; Effectiveness 3.5/5; Scent 4/5; Value 4.25/5

Product Specs 

• Type: Concentrated
• Surfaces: Siding
• Biodegradable: Yes

Pros

• Highly effective for removing mold, mildew, grime, and dinge from siding
• C