Why We Choose Ocean Safe Chemicals and Why You Should Too

The Dirty Truth: Not All Cleaning Chemicals Are Created Equal

You’d be surprised how many people think cleaning chemicals just disappear. A quick spray, a rinse with the hose, and poof, it’s like it never happened. But here’s the not-so-sparkly truth: those chemicals don’t just vanish. They flow. Down your driveway, into the gutter, through the storm drain, and eventually, into our creeks, rivers, and the ocean.

Many traditional cleaning products are loaded with aggressive compounds designed to strip, bleach, and kill. And while they might make your siding shine temporarily, they also leave a toxic trail that harms everything downstream. From phosphates that feed harmful algae blooms to ammonia that stings the gills of local fish, these chemicals don’t just clean your home. They compromise the health of your neighborhood ecosystem.

At Maple Washing, we realized that if we’re in the business of beautifying homes, we shouldn’t be uglifying nature in the process. That’s why we use ocean safe chemicals exclusively, products that not only clean effectively but also biodegrade quickly, safely, and without drama. Because clean doesn’t have to come with a cost.

If you live in Maple Ridge, Port Coquitlam, or anywhere in Metro Vancouver, this matters. The waterways in our backyard are direct highways to the Pacific Ocean. What we put on your property doesn’t just stay there, it becomes part of something bigger. That’s why we clean with care.

From Suds to Streams: How Cleaning Affects the Ocean

Picture this: you’ve just had your home beautifully washed. Everything looks fresh and new. But what’s left behind in that soapy runoff? Most people don’t realize that those bubbles aren’t just harmless foam, they’re often laced with a cocktail of chemicals that nature never signed up for.

In Metro Vancouver, many storm drains lead directly into local waterways without any filtration. That means anything you wash off your siding, driveway, or roof could soon end up floating alongside a salmon in the Coquitlam River. Gross, right? Even worse, many of these chemicals accumulate in ecosystems. Over time, they can damage plant life, poison fish, and even make their way back up the food chain. (Fun fact: the Pacific Ocean does not appreciate being used as a mop bucket.)

At Maple Washing, we’re not okay with contributing to that. So instead of reaching for the harsh stuff, we use eco friendly cleaning products that break down quickly and don’t linger in nature like an unwanted house guest. Our goal? To give your property the shine it deserves while keeping our streams, lakes, and oceans pristine.

If you live near Pitt Meadows, Coquitlam, or Maple Ridge, your home is part of this watershed. So when we say that your cleaning choices matter, we’re not just talking about aesthetics, we’re talking about environmental impact. With every job we do, we commit to protecting the beauty both on and beyond your property line.

So, What Are Ocean Safe Chemicals Exactly?

Ocean safe chemicals aren’t just some trendy marketing buzzword. They’re a smarter, safer way to clean. These solutions are specifically designed to perform tough cleaning tasks without harming the environment. Think of them like a double agent, tough on grime, gentle on nature.

At their core, these safe cleaning chemicals are:

• Biodegradable: They break down naturally and quickly, leaving no harmful residue.
• Non-toxic: No harsh fumes, no chemical burns, and no danger to aquatic life.
• Phosphate-free: Phosphates may boost cleaning power, but they also feed algae blooms that suffocate rivers and lakes.
• Low-VOC: They release fewer volatile organic compounds, which is better for the air you breathe.
• pH-balanced: Gentle on surfaces, safe for the environment.

Our eco friendly lineup at Maple Washing covers everything from house siding to roof de-mossing and driveway scrubbing. These products may be gentle in formula, but they’re no slouch in the results department. They tackle mold, algae, dirt, bird droppings, and who-knows-what from last year’s rainstorm, all without putting your local trout population in danger.

We’ve put these solutions to work across homes in Coquitlam, Langley, Port Moody, and more, and the feedback is always the same: “Wow, it’s clean and it didn’t smell like a lab experiment.” Exactly the vibe we’re going for.

Why We Switched and Why We’ll Never Go Back

Back in our earlier days, we, like most exterior cleaning companies, used whatever got the job done quickly and powerfully. Bleach? Sure. Ammonia? Why not. As long as the house sparkled, we assumed we were doing right by our customers.

Then came The Gutter Incident.

One fall afternoon in Pitt Meadows, we were clearing a seriously clogged gutter. As the water ran down the driveway, a curious neighborhood kid asked, “Where does all that stuff go?” That innocent question led to a full-blown team “a-ha” moment. We traced the runoff to a storm drain that flowed directly into a nearby creek. No filters. No processing. Just straight from the gutter to the gills of local fish.

That day, we took a hard look at our practices and made a commitment: no more toxic runoff. We researched, tested, and finally transitioned to 100% ocean safe, biodegradable cleaning agents across all our services. It wasn’t just about being trendy, it was about taking responsibility for our role in the bigger picture.

Now, every time we rinse down a property in Maple Ridge, we do it knowing we’re not adding to the pollution problem. We’re part of the solution. And trust us, once you make the switch to green, there’s no going back. Not when the fish, the frogs, and your neighbor’s golden retriever are all better off for it.

The Top 5 Benefits of Using Eco Friendly Cleaning Solutions

We get it, people love a clean home, but they also want to feel good about how it got that way. Here’s the great news: with eco friendly cleaning, you don’t have to choose between sparkling results and environmental responsibility.

1. It’s Better for Marine Life

Local waterways like the Alouette River and Coquitlam River feed directly into sensitive ecosystems. Harsh chemicals disrupt the natural balance, threatening fish populations and marine biodiversity. Ocean safe cleaners break down before they can do harm.

2. It’s Safer for Your Family and Pets

We’ve seen pets licking patio furniture and toddlers picking up sidewalk chalk from freshly cleaned surfaces. With safe cleaning chemicals, we’re confident they’re not also sampling a side of poison.

3. It Extends the Life of Your Property

Traditional cleaners can be corrosive, wearing down wood, paint, and siding. Our biodegradable products are designed to be gentle on surfaces while tough on stains, helping you avoid costly repairs.

4. It Supports Local Sustainability Goals

Cities in Metro Vancouver are encouraging the use of green products to protect our shared water systems. By hiring us, you’re supporting a company that’s aligned with community and environmental goals.

5. It Just Feels Right

Honestly, there’s peace of mind that comes from knowing your clean house isn’t contributing to a dirty planet. And that’s worth its weight in pressure-washed gold.

But Do They Actually Work?

If we had a dime for every time someone asked this question, we’d have enough to fund our own eco-laboratory. The short answer? Yes. The longer, slightly sassier answer? Absolutely, our ocean safe cleaners kick algae’s butt.

There’s a common misconception that eco friendly cleaning means “weaker” or “less effective.” That might’ve been true back in the 90s when everything labeled “green” smelled like cucumbers and did little more than make you feel morally superior. But times have changed, and so have the products.

Today’s biodegradable cleaning solutions are formulated using cutting-edge surfactants and natural enzymes that are incredibly efficient at breaking down mold, mildew, algae, grime, and whatever that weird sticky gunk is on your second-story siding. And the best part? They do it all without scorching your plants or giving your pets a rash.

We’ve cleaned hundreds of properties across Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, and Coquitlam using these solutions. From multi-story strata buildings to the tiniest backyard sheds, the results speak for themselves. Surfaces shine. Paint stays intact. And the runoff? Safe enough for salmon.

So, yes, they work. And they work really well. Better still, they let us sleep at night knowing we didn’t just blast away dirt, we made a choice that’s better for everyone involved, including the trees, bees, and sea creatures.

Want proof? Check out the EPA’s Safer Choice program to see how certified products meet strict performance and safety standards, no compromise necessary.

Real Talk: Ocean Safe Chemicals vs. Traditional Detergents

Let’s get into the gritty details. Here’s how our ocean safe chemicals stack up against the old-school stuff:

We’re not saying traditional cleaners don’t work. They do. But they work like a sledgehammer, powerful, messy, and not super concerned about the collateral damage. Ocean safe solutions, on the other hand, are more like a smart multitool. Just as effective, but smarter, cleaner, and friendlier to everyone downwind (or downstream).

And in places like Port Coquitlam and Maple Ridge, where storm runoff has direct access to salmon-bearing streams, that difference really matters. Every wash becomes a chance to either help or hurt the local environment. We choose help.

Service Spotlight: Where We Use Ocean Safe Solutions

At Maple Washing, every single service is powered by our carefully chosen lineup of safe cleaning chemicals. No exceptions. Whether we’re blasting years of gunk off a concrete walkway or lovingly hand-washing delicate windows, we stick to solutions that do the job right, without trashing the environment.

Here’s where we put those eco-friendly suds to work:

• Roof De-Mossing in Maple Ridge: We target moss and lichen with biodegradable agents that don’t harm your shingles or your garden.
• Siding & Soft Washing in Pitt Meadows: Gentle formulas protect painted surfaces and trim while eliminating algae and dirt.
• Window Washing in Coquitlam: Whether it’s hand-cleaned or via Tucker Pole, we use non-toxic, streak-free soaps.
• Gutter Cleaning in Port Coquitlam: We remove debris and flush downspouts with rinse-safe detergents that won’t poison nearby creeks.
• Fence and Deck Cleaning across Metro Vancouver: Our treatments remove built-up grime without leaching toxins into the soil.

We even tailor product concentrations depending on local soil runoff conditions. That’s how committed we are to being good neighbors, not just to you, but to the forests, waters, and wildlife around us.

How You Can Help

We’d love to be the crew that transforms your home with a beautiful eco-friendly clean. But even if you go a different route, you can still make a huge difference:

• Read product labels carefully. Look for terms like biodegradable, phosphate-free, and non-toxic.
• Avoid bleach and ammonia-based cleaners, they’re terrible for your health and your local fish population.
• Support green businesses. Whether you’re hiring a cleaning company, a landscaper, or a painter, ask them what products they use. If they can’t answer or don’t prioritize safety, consider taking your dollars elsewhere.
• Educate others. Many people simply don’t know that stormwater isn’t filtered before reaching natural waterways. Share what you’ve learned and help create a ripple effect, pun intended.

And hey, if you’re ready to make your home sparkle and save the planet, you know where to find us.

FAQ: Why We Choose Ocean Safe Chemicals and Why You Should Too

It’s More Than Just Clean

At Maple Washing, we’ve always believed that how you clean is just as important as what you clean. A sparkling house shouldn’t come at the cost of a sick river, a poisoned salmon, or a burned-out bee colony.

We chose to clean with ocean safe chemicals because we love where we live. Because the rain that falls on your roof ends up in a stream, and that stream ends up in the ocean. And because we believe a business should leave its community better than it found it.

So whether you’re in Maple Ridge, Coquitlam, Pitt Meadows, or anywhere in Metro Vancouver, when you hire Maple Washing, you’re not just getting a clean home. You’re getting a company that truly gives a clean damn.

Contact Maple Washing

📍 Proudly Serving: Maple Ridge, Coquitlam, Pitt Meadows, Port Coquitlam, and the surrounding Metro Vancouver region
📞 Phone: 1-877-888-9274
📧 Email: info@maplewashing.com

Ready for a clean you can feel great about? Give us a shout. Your home and your planet will thank you.