Frequently Asked Questions

General

Why should I clean my roof? 

There are five good reasons:

• prolongs shingle life
• makes ugly stains vanish
• lowers utility bills as roof stains absorb heat in the summer
• increases property value
• improves curb appeal
• reduces the chance of doubts about roof quality for prospective home buyers and inspectors
• cheaper than a new roof

Why are roof stains happening so noticeably recently? 

If you have noticed the incredible outbreak of roof stains in your area you are not alone! Why? Up to 80% of the new home construction in North America will develop some kind of roof deterioration caused by moss, algae or mildew growth. Shingle materials have changed dramatically over the last few years. New shingles are less able to resist roof growth and as a result today’s roofs show signs of growth much more quickly than previously

How can I get my roof cleaned? 

There are companies out there that specialize in cleaning the moss off roofs. Moss and algae is a big problem in our area. Bleach will remove it but it will come back quickly and the bleach is not good for you or your plants. Find a company that uses Eco safe cleaning products (like Wash Safe Products, of course). Composite shingles should not be pressure washed as this will damage your shingles. Roof cleaning companies do use a pressure washer but by the use of special tips, they reduce the amount of pressure which will not damage the roof. Cleaning the moss and algae from your roof is good for your shingles. The moss and algae acts like a sealer on your shingles which does not allow your shingles to breathe. The cost is minimal in comparison to getting a new roof.

Can I clean my own roof? 

Yes with the proper precautions, and a bit of equipment the homeowner can clean moss and algae from their own roof. If you are not in a big rush, Wash Safe roof cleaning products can be sprayed onto your roof with a simple pump sprayer and left to let mother nature do the work but this may take as long as three months. If you have a pressure washer and are comfortable with roof work, the job can be done in a few hours. (see the products section).

Will the Wash Safe products harm my plants or endanger my children or pets? 

No. Our products are safe for pets, plants, and people.

Can’t I just use bleach?

Be very, very careful with bleach! Many homeowners and contractors have tried bleach to clean roofs. First of all bleach is toxic and corrosive chemicals are disastrous to vegetation, not to mention can stain and dry out your shingles. Furthermore, the results are temporary as the bleach cleans only the surface leaving the spores and roots below the surface untouched, and the growth is back in a few short months. Also it is very easy to experience a streaky roof as the bleach may mark the shingles unevenly.

Do Zinc strips work? 

If algae is already growing on the roof, zinc strips will no nothing to remove it.

How can I estimate the square footage of my roof? 

An old roofer (is there any other kind?) told me to take the square footage of the floor touching the roof, then multiply by 1.2 or if it is a steep roof by 1.3. Not totally accurate but close enough for government work, as they say!

Do your products have an EPA number?

An EPA issued after the Environmental Protection Agency takes what can be several years of testing, and mega bucks to ascertain that your product does "kill" the intended target. The EPA issues a number then you can advertise with the word "kills" and we can't.

Although our product does not currently have a registered EPA number, we felt that up to this point as a small company, we are not going to go through the considerable time involved and the expense. Perhaps we will do so in the future.

Our products do actually "kill" mold but until we have an EPA number we can only advertise the ability of the products to safely remove and clean mold and mold related fungi. It works, I have done it.

Our active ingredient "Hydrogen Peroxide" is expensive to produce, particularly at the strength that we need, but yet is safe for consumer use. Consumers usually can relate to Hydrogen Peroxide as we have all used it to clean our cuts and scrapes.

Our experience is that a growing number of consumers will pay a few extra dollars for a product that is Green, rather than a product with ingredients impossible to even pronounce. When the buyer sees the contents as being Hydrogen Peroxide, most feel quite comfortable to give it a try.

We position our products as alternatives to the more toxic, not as a replacement. Lets face it, there will always be those who don't give a damn, but the statistics show a steep rise in the numbers of buyers who do give a damn and will go the extra step. It wasn't long ago that your industry realized the same fact and have reacted accordingly.

Roof Wash

I have a question about my asphalt roof that we recently cleaned with Roof Wash. The roof looks great, and it is getting lighter as time goes on. Why is that? I also had a few people tell me how good my roof looks!! - Pat M. (Nova Scotia)

Hi Patrick…just was checking in to see how the cleaning went after a few weeks. Interesting, but we are finding that the surfaces continue to lighten even after washing as there is still some products soaked into the roof, and every time it rains for a couple of weeks it will activate a bit more.

I recently cleaned my asphalt roof with Roof Wash. I had some extra so I tried a small part of a wooden wall colored with a stain. The Roof Wash solution started discoloring and lifting the stain, turning brownish. Why did this occur? - Mark (Courtenay, BC)

Our Cedar Wash and our Deck Wash will lift and remove stain from wood. So will Roof Wash. In this case the Roof Wash did the same thing so you must be careful when working around stained surfaces vs painted. Since you live in BC where cedar and its anti-rot characteristics is common in building, I suspect that the brownish tint was because the stained wood was cedar which when washed with our products bleeds a brownish tint as the moss and algae is destroyed.

When having my roof sprayed with Roof Wash, I had some run-off over some windows. It dried as the weather was hot and left a film on the glass that was very difficult to remove. Any advice?

Some people swear by vinegar and water, then a rub with crumpled up newspaper. Ronda of Courtenay reported she used ordinary dish soap in solution then finished with a product called "Window Cloth" from Norwex (that she purchased from Christine Rayne 250 218 6041) that did a miraculous job.

Cedar Wash

"I have three questions, if you will. What is the difference between the Cedar Wash and the Deck Wash, if there is one or just a matter of labeling? I just purchased a container of Cedar Wash for my cedar deck and wonder if I should change it or if it has been reformulated. And, what is your percentage of Disodium Percolate in your product? Lastly, do I need a sprayer to apply or can I use the brush that I will be scrubbing to apply the liquid as well. Is there some magic about spraying it on?" - Al M.

There is very little difference between the two, Cedar Wash, and Deck Wash. For the Cedar Wash as it is intended for cedar roofing particularly, we added an ingredient that will slow the run off a bit, other than that, they are chemically identical, and Cedar Wash will work just fine on your deck.

The active ingredients in both Cedar Wash and Deck Wash is sodium per carbonate, which is the liquid Hydrogen Peroxide mixed with soda ash (sodium carbonate), to give us a granular powder rather than a liquid. The reason we do this is that powdered cleaners are much easier to ship, and last much longer on the shelf even after being opened, so you can simply put the cap back on and use the remaining powder at any time in the future. Liquids tend to lose potency rapidly after opening. (I'm not quite sure where you saw "disodium percolate").

Regarding application, I suppose you could brush or mop it on your deck, but most use an ordinary hand pump sprayer bought from your local hardware store, then a stiff long handled brush, and garden hose it off, or alternatively washing it off with a pressure washer with about 1000 psi ... (no higher than you can put on your hand) . I have used two different sprayers, one costing about $15 with a no adjustment nozzle and a $35 with an adjustable nozzle I found that I had to use a drill with a small bit to open the nozzle size to get a healthy spray with the less expensive one, but then it worked well. Get a 2 liter if you can, so you don't have to refill it too often.

Another tip ... mix the powder in a separate pail, not in the sprayer. As the cleaner activates, the liquid foams quite aggressively and when I mixed it in the smaller opening sprayer it foamed all over the place. An open top pail worked much better, then pour into the sprayer.

Please note two common mistakes to avoid. You must stir it until completely dissolved (warm water will help if available) or your nozzle will plug with undisclosed granules. Secondly you must let the cleaner "perk" for about 20-30 minutes to activate the cleaning process. When the foam has reduced into just a skim on top it is ready to use. Do not start too soon.

Can you expand on the instructions for cleaning a cedar roof with Cedar Wash? - Max (Whistler, B.C.)

For normal use use 1/2 to 3/4 cup per gallon, making it stronger probably for the first cleaning as that is when the growth will be at its most dense. After that an annual spray again with about 1/2 to 3/4 cup per gallon will be adequate to keep further growth down with no need for pressure washing. The powder will last indefinitely in the jar so order a good supply for future use. (By the way it works on algae growth on gutters too, with a light brushing after spraying).

Warm water, where available, makes the mixing and dissolving easier. Make sure you stir the solution thoroughly to dissolve all the powder granules or they may clog your nozzle. At this point you will see the solution foam up aggressively. I find that it is best to mix the solution in an open top container rather than in the actual sprayer, or it may foam over. Let the mixture sit far a few minutes. A rule of thumb is to let the foam die down for about 15-20 minutes thus allowing enough time for the cleaning agents to activate, then pour into your sprayer, and apply to your cedar. Cedar Wash will destroy existing moss and algae growth as well as the subsurface roots and spores immediately on contact. You should see a color change on the moss fairly quickly.

The problem is that if you have trees nearby, or neighbors with untreated roofs, be it cedar or asphalt, the spores will blow onto your roof and start growing all over again. By putting down a layer of spray once every year as regular maintenance, you will keep your roof clear from re growth.

Some people just spray and let Mother Nature's wind and rain do the rest. However, if you can lightly power wash the roof after spraying, it is obviously a much quicker clean and will will lighten up considerably over the next few weeks, but still maintaining a natural cedar color, (unlike a chemically strong bleach which, in my opinion makes the cedar take on an unsightly yellowed tone).

Some people are uncomfortable with getting on the shakes for fear of damage. There is an attachment for an aluminum ladder called a "ridge hook", which hooks over the peak of the roof and allows access to the roof by walking on the ladder rather than the shakes themselves. Many of the "pros" out here use a ridge hook to avoid splitting any cedar shingles, particularly in an older roof. This makes power washing much easier. Keep in mind that it is a very gentle wash...no more power than you can stand on your bare hand, but yet stronger than that of a garden hose ... about 1000 psi seems best. Hope this helps.

Concrete Wash

We did a section of concrete walk with Concrete Wash and then did our client's stucco walls with Stucco Wash. We have noticed that both have lightened even after a few weeks. This is great but we were wondering why? Does the sun have an effect? - (Alberta contractor)

That’s a good point, it most certainly does improve with the sun, I did a section of my mother’s deck and I was sort of disappointed with the results of the Composite Deck Wash but it was just yesterday that I noticed it was a lot cleaner than it was the day that I cleaned it, this would be true on concrete and stucco, wood also lightens over time. The targeted surface absorb the solution so really a rain good reactivate it and the sun will lighten it again.

I have black algae on the concrete around my pool and I am interested in your products. Is there anywhere in Nova Scotia I can purchase your products? Also I am thinking the Concrete Wash would be by best choice for this application. - Lynne

Good morning Lynne, and greetings from North Vancouver! Black algae can sure be a problem here so knowing NS as I do, with the humidity etc (I was in Cornwallis with the Navy for awhile), I can relate. Black algae around a pool is somewhat unusual, but yes the Concrete Wash will take care of it, and best of all it will have no detrimental effect on your pool if some of it enters the water ... actually it will help!

At this time we do not have a distributor in Nova Scotia, but ship quite regularly from here to the Maritimes, so we can get a container to you.

To order, just calculate the approximate square footage of your deck area and check our website for coverage. My guess is that our 2lb container will suffice as when mixed it covers between 600 and 800 square ft depending on the strength that you mix.

There are two ways to clean. My experience is that unless you have or rent a power washer, you simply spray the Concrete Wash on the deck, work it in with a stiff brush, then use a garden hose to spray it off. A power washer removes the need for scrubbing.

By the way the way, unlike most cleaners, you don't need to worry about the spray harming your shrubbery or grass.

Concrete Wash actually attacks the roots of the algae that will have settled deep into the concrete pores so when you use it you are destroying the subsurface roots and spores which means that the re-growth time is significantly extended. The sad truth however is that the algae will come back as the spores are airborne and any trees, or neighbors that have moss and algae will repopulate your yard. We suggest simply adding a quick spray with an ordinary garden sprayer in the spring and/or in the fall without the scrubbing will keep things algae free. Make it part of your annual pool maintenance.

The product comes in powder form so any that you don't use now will still be 100% effective in the fall, unlike many liquid products that rapidly lose their cleaning power once opened.

Anyway this is a bit of a longwinded answer to your inquiry, but I get excited when I talk to people like you that take the time to go the extra mile for environmentally safe cleaning.

Painters Wash

How do I best apply such wall cleaners as Painters Wash or Mold & Mildew Wash

If you are doing a larger exterior surface, when I did my north facing wall of my house,I used a simple two litre hand pump sprayer from the local hardware store. I live in North Vancouver so I went to the Irly Woodstop store in Lynn valley. I think it was about $35.00. Mix the solution in a pail, ensuring it is totally dissolved,( if available, warm water helps). The Painters Wash will foam aggressively as it activates, then let it sit for 20 minutes or so until most of the foam has reverted back to water, pour it into the sprayer, and spray onto a DRY wall for best results. You will see the green running off. After you have finished applying you can power wash with a pressure no stronger than you can hold on your bare hand, and wash it down, starting from the top, of course. If your washer doesn't have a pressure adjustment, simply hold the nozzle farther away from the surface. (we have specially designed "soft" tips available). Since the solution actually penetrates the surface, if you are simply cleaning the surface, especially wooden siding, you will find that over the next week or so it continues to lighten as there will still be residual Painters Wash in the wood that will activate every time it gets wet. If it is pre paint prep then paint as soon as all is dry.

If it is an interior surface you can again apply with a "squirt gun" kind of sprayer or the hand pump sprayer and just as you would with TSP or chlorine, wipe it down with a wet sponge, allow to dry then do your magic with paint.

After spraying the Painters Wash solution onto a wall, do I power wash it off?

After applying to a DRY surface, Yes then rinse the house off with a pressure washer. Be careful though with using too strong pressure particularly on older wooden siding as it is easily damaged. Use 1000psi or less ... nothing stronger. You should be able to hold you hand under the nozzle with no discomfort.

Rust Off

I am interested in trying your Rust Off product as I am rebuilding a classic car. Will it work on rusted parts? How can I purchase some? - Martin (North Vancouver)

Our retail dealers are listed on our website or you if there is none close to you it is available on our website. If you are using Rust Off for tools, nuts and bolts etc, just pour some into a can and let them soak, the pour the Rust Off back into the bottle. It can be reused until it stops working basically. If you are spraying it onto rust, you will find the rust almost "liquefies" on the surface and then you wipe it off with a rag, but if it dries it will solidify and again look like a rusty coating and you will need to spray it again. Keep in mind, Rust Off doesn't work as a rust inhibitor so you need to put some sort of protective coating on after cleaning. Good luck with your project.

Hi! I'm from Victoria BC, and I am restoring my 1968 Dodge Monaco convertible. If this Rust Off works like it says it will be a blessing as I have a lot of rusty spots on the car, and rusty parts. I heard about using coke and also molasses and water but neither worked. I am going to get my car painted but in the meantime could I take off the rusty spots all over the paint and the painted mags? - Debbie 

Hi Debbie ... thanks so much for your inquiry about Rust Off! I too love collector cars. I have a not so old 1989 Benz 560 sl in the garage for driving on sunny days (if we ever get any here in Vancouver). I chose this Benz because it was the last model year before they radically changed the whole chassis. It is still a "finely engineered motor sports car" but then they went big in 1990.

My experience is that Rust Off will indeed take off surface rust. My cautions are that if the rust has pitted the metal, the pits will still be there but the surface will be a dull grey/silver when you are finished. After you wipe it off or wash it off with water and wipe it off you will still need to coat it with something as it does not inhibit rust. We have after market auto shops that fill a bucket with Rust Off and simply drop rusted parts in and leave them until they come out clean, coat them with some sort of lubricant ... I use WD 40 but that is definitely not for parts that will be painted ... a body shop owner told me paint will not adhere to WD 40!

Its worth a try but each job is different. It takes rust off the "dings" in the box of my truck, garden tools, hammers, wrenches, but you need to try it. It is ok to be painted after the cleaning. I sprayed it on a pair of tin snips and did not wipe it off and the rust just settled on the surface like brown water ... dumb ... follow the instructions Doug ... I re-sprayed it, wiped it with a cloth and all was well.

(I think Debbie’s email back is worth sharing...) "Hi I'm sending a cheque as I got my Rust Off today and I'm so excited! It ate the rust off these bolts in less than 5 minutes. My two ashtrays were all mangled and thickly coated with rust and now they are almost new! I'm going to need some more but I'll play with this for a few days. I'm going to put it in a plastic tote so I can just keep adding parts. Thanks a bunch! By the way I'm a barber...how many guys do you think will love this stuff ... almost all!"

Stucco Wash

I sprayed Stucco Wash on a wall, but it didn't seem to foam like the Roof Wash in your videos. Have I done something wrong?

The product only “foams” as a reaction to fungus but every type of fungus is different and if this wall was only dirty it may not foam at all, but that doesn't mean it didn't work. Black algae on roofs foam a lot but that is due to the black algae, black mold on cedar tends to foam quite a bit too, moss, lichen and other growths foam just a little bit and green mold for whatever reason only has a very thin layer of foam, most of the time it's not that noticeable, I'm sure if it was green mold (which is common on stucco) if you run your finger through the mold it probably came right off, where it would not have done that without the product on. Like decks, most of the time you are cleaning green mold, so it foams just a little bit and very quickly.

We did a section of concrete walk with Concrete Wash and then did our client's stucco walls with Stucco Wash. We have noticed that both have lightened even after a few weeks. This is great but we were wondering why? Does the sun have an effect?

That’s a good point, it most certainly does improve with the sun, I did a section of my mother’s deck and I was sort of disappointed with the results of the Composite Deck Wash but it was just yesterday that I noticed it was a lot cleaner than it was the day that I cleaned it, this would be true on concrete and stucco, wood also lightens over time. The targeted surface absorb the solution so really a rain good reactivate it and the sun will lighten it again.

I've heard that your Hydrogen Peroxide products can be used as a detergent. Is this true? (Kimberlee, MA)

Absolutely, especially with athletic gear. I use Mold and Mildew Wash. I usually use at least 1/2 cup or more, especially if the clothes are really dirty. In my opinion you really can't use too much! Yes, you can absolutely use it on colors. The Mold and Mildew Wash has got dirt, food and grass stains out of all my clothes. Sometimes I do let the powder sit on the stains if the are really bad. I just pour a little powder on the stain and mix with a little water. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes or you can let the washing machine fill with water and 1/2 cup or more of Mold and Mildew Wash and let it sit for 15-20 then start wash. I have been using it for a long time and think it's great! I also use it for washing my tub and glass door on shower to get soap scum off, it is really amazing. I mix a 1/2 cup or so with warm water and use a sponge to apply. Then scrub with the rough part of sponge and it comes right off.

Will Mold and Mildew Wash work on shower grout?

Yes Mold and Mildew Wash works great on shower grout.

"I have some outdoor kennels for my dogs during the day with rubber horse mats for flooring. I noticed this week that they are staring to smell even though I scoop and rinse daily. I was told to use bleach or lime around the mats but I wan to be sure it wouldn't be harmful to our pets. Do you have any suggestions for cleaning or removing the smell?"

The trick with pet odors is to understand what causes them. Odors occur when bacterial from fur, feces, urine, old food etc start to grow. Porous surfaces like mats or blankets are ideal bacteria developing grounds. Simple cleaning and rinsing is not enough. The answer is easy .... a cleaning with Wash Safe's Stable and Kennel Wash will remove the odor causing microbes from the kennel surfaces, and followed by a thorough spraying of the blanket with Odor and Stain Evaporator, (add a hot water wash, if desired) you will ensure your pet area is safe,fresh and clean smelling.

How much Deck Wash do I need?

We find that the average deck 15x15 requires a minimum of 4 lbs of Deck Wash. This does not include the railings. If you have railings on three sides, you need another 2 lb of cleaner. Although 2 lb of Deck Wash will clean approximately 600sq ft., dirty horizontal surfaces often will need a second quick cleaning, and don't for get that for railings, each lineal foot has 4 sq ft of surface area.

Just to be safe you should have 4 of our 2lb containers or for even a better value order a 10lb container in case of spills or extra dirty conditions. Keep in mind the product has an unlimited shelf life, so it will not go bad if the lid is kept tightly sealed.

As you may know the incidence of staph infection, foot fungal infection, and skin irritations from bacterial infected equipment has become a real problem. All sports face it, but especially hockey, even at the NHL level. Professional hockey teams have gone to a great deal of trouble and significant cost to minimize this potentially disabling contamination through high tech equipment cleaning processes. These processes are not available to 99% of hockey players. We are former professional athletes who recognized the need for a simple, cost effective product to minimize the chance of any athlete contracting one of these infections, and to make available to the hundreds of thousands of amateur athletes a product which will effectively clean the guilty equipment. All Star Sports Wash contains a proprietary blend of bacteria fighting agents, specifically formulated for the disinfecting and deodorizing of athletic equipment from all sports (we hear mothers, girlfriends, and wives cheering all over the world)!

One of the buzz words in the world of cleaning "technical" under-garment apparel is "redeposition". This refers to the way that machine cleaning with ordinary detergents allows the washer to "redeposit" dirt and body grime back into the fabric during the drain and rinse cycles. We have developed an additive in our Sports Wash that effectively removes the soiling from the pores of the fabric, suspends it in the wash water and does not allow it to re enter or redeposit back into the garment being washed, thus far more effectively cleaning the entire piece of gear. This phenomenon has been particularly noticeable on the technical gear worn by athletes such as runners, hikers, mountain bikers, as All Star Sports Wash actually restores the lost "wicking" ability of the garment allowing it to perform the job for a much longer life.

Green cleaning.....We want to emphasize that like all our cleaning products, All Star Sports Wash is 100% environmentally friendly, biodegrading back into oxygen and water after use, a factor that cannot be overlooked by today's environmentally conscious athlete.

Our new Cedar Seal… what does "water based" or "water borne" mean?

It means we use water to carry the protective ingredients in the sealant. Thus, anywhere water can get into the wood so does the sealer. Using water also means we are not using any harmful chemicals. Our Wash Safe Canada sealers are completely safe for the user and the environment.

Cedar Seal is a bit more expensive, but much more concentrated than others on the market, therefore you get a much longer lasting protection for your money. Cedar Seal water based sealer is easy to use, safer to use and will keep your cedar roof or fence looking cleaner and brighter for years.

Our new Deck Seal… what does "water based" or "water borne" mean?

It means we use water to carry the protective ingredients in the sealant. Thus, anywhere water can get into the wood so does the sealer. Using water also means we are not using any harmful chemicals. Our Wash Safe Canada sealers are completely safe for the user and the environment.

Deck Seal is a bit more expensive, but much more concentrated than others on the market, therefore you get a much longer lasting protection for your money. Deck Seal water based sealer is easy to use, safer to use and will keep your wooden deck cleaner and brighter for years.

Hello, I purchased and used the whole 5 gallon pail recently. Coverage was great. My daughter is now quite interested in using this product, and I thought that perhaps I would get another pail to have on hand for another coating next year as recommended with initial use. My question is regarding the shelf life. As long as I don't let it freeze, how long will it keep? I am very impressed so far with this product, however, the proof will be how well it performs over time. How long has this product been on the market? Any testimonials to this end? Our winters here in Ontario differ from your in BC. Any feedback regarding that? - Robbie (Bellville, ON)

Good morning Robbi! The shelf life of an unopened container is pretty hard to define but our technical people say it is at least 3 years and probably up to 5. As this is a new product (launched this spring), as you said only time will tell. As far as performance over time, one of our "wish list" when we had the product created was longevity as we, like so many of our customers, were tired of re doing our decks every year despite product claims to the contrary. As with all our products we are users first, then marketers. Deck Seal is manufacturered in Massachusetts, which has a climate not too different from yours, so it's testing would actually be quite applicable. In truth we will probably be more interested in how it holds up here in the rain forest.I am in my second year with my deck and so far it looks brand new. I plan on doing a quick respray next fall just to keep the finish unmarred, and so as to not have to strip and clean it all over again. According to the chemists that we use to bring our "wish lists" for new products to fuition, this 3rd year re application should extend the life indefinately although with kids, pets and the heavy incidence of moss I may clean it with Deck Wash and redo the whole process if I see signes of wear. Thanks to both products it is a relatively easy chore. My deck is about 10 years old and suffered through years of sub standard products but it sure looks nice now, although I had to use more of the sealer than I thought as the wood was so dry, and as you can see on the video I put in the Deck Wash page of our website, it was heavily contaminated with slimy, slippery algae, despite me coating it very carefully with Thompsons™ the spring before. I have just placed a substantial order form the manufacturer as both Deck and Cedar Seal sold well beyond our expectations, and because it cannot be shipped in the cold weather for danger of freezing and I know next spring will be a banner year. Hopefully I will have a larger distribution in the East by then so you will be able to purchase it locally. Hope this helps and let me know if your daughter needs an order, and thanks for the kind words.