Tried to find this answer in the forums, but came up short. I’m just getting started. All my equipment is coming in Talking to a supplier I was a bit taken back when he said SH only lasts a couple days before breaking down. I’m not sure how accurate that is or based on what conditions.
In my ignorance I thought I’d fill the 65 gallon tank with the correct mix of SH/Water/Surfactant (if I go that route over other smaller options) and use it up as jobs came up. From the sound of it, that is not how this works. What would you guys recommend someone new starting out in the midwest where we have crapshoot weather in the winter? I do have a basement and storage shed.
I was planning on just downstreaming to start and then maybe adding softwash next year and add the separate surfactant tank.
If anyone knows of another thread or video where this is discussed feel free to paste that so I don’t waste anyone else’s time.
Here’s an interesting thread 40% Sodium Hypochlorite - #31 by CaCO3Girl
There are a few threads around that talk about how SH breaks down
You don’t need a separate surfactant tank. Bleach will last a month if you don’t add soap to it. Mine will last a week or more with the soap I use, but it’s typically used up every day. Your supplier is either uneducated, or shady.
If I get the fresh stuff in the drums it usually stays potent for 2-3 months. The 1 gallon crap from the pool supply was already dead by the time I got it.
SH naturally breaks down over time…but it accelerates a lot once it encounters any sort of organic materials. Almost any material that you add to it will contain organics (even/especially water). You can store the “pure” product that you buy significantly longer if you don’t mix it with anything. There are a ton of variables, but I’d imagine you’d have to learn your particular situation in observing how it loses it’s effectiveness for you based on how you treat it. I don’t think there are any “rules” that hold true in every scenario (storage/mix/etc.).
No need to have 65 gallons ready to go unless you have that demand of work lined up. That’s a lot of houses, or a big roof, depending on on strong a mix you make.
I batch mix mine in a 15 gallon drum as needed. I usually Only go through 4-6 gallons of mix on a typical house that I cater to (1-2 story, 1,500 - 3,500 interior square footage).
If you are set on buying SH in bulk but can’t use it all within a reasonable time period, take any surplus SH amount you don’t need for the day’s workload and store it in a cool place away from sunlight. If you get more jobs, then transfer some from your storage tank into your tank on the truck/trailer and add water and surfactant as needed.
I was glad this topic caught my attention…made me think to contact our distributor and put a halt to our auto-refill on our bulk tank before winter. That would be a lot of wasted $H…and a terrible budget buster to start the new year 
Reminds me I need to get another barrel.
