@MaryJoSchulte I am so sorry to hear of the damage to your garden. Are certain that they used bleach and not other detergent or cleaning chemicals? If not, can you check with them? Failing that, I agree getting a soil test done ASAP is a good idea - you need to know exactly what you're up against.

Australis, I just have to go by their answer when my son called them. The power washer just said they used bleach, soap and water. Now, they won't answer my messages. That has been our one contact with them.. I'm afraid that company is two men and hoses. If so, does anyone have any suggestion as how to find the right person or company that will treat the soil before replacing the totally dead shrubs. (hibiscus and diefenbakia). I'm afraud if we have someone just replace, the new shrubs won't have a chance. Would adding top soil help?

My son contacted a chemical company --I believe Truly Green.who are coming out this week. They were planning on doing the first spraying of the shrubs. Would their generic spray be of any benefit, or even detrimental to these shrubs, all of who have been affected by the bleach and and soap? They were the first and only one who said they'd analyze what is needed. I'd appreciate any help.
I plan to take soil samples to the extension office next week.
Mary Jo

Based on the earlier responses to this thread, my suggestion would be to heavily water to try to rinse out any remaining chemicals and salts (product of bleach breakdown). The chemicals will have killed off most of the soil flora, so you'll need to reintroduce them from a healthy part of the garden by transferring dirt. Topdressing with compost will also help.

Beyond that, I would wait to see what the results of the soil tests are. It's generally not a good idea to fertilise plants that are struggling - what is Truly Green going to spray with?

I'm really finding it hard to believe that they used bleach, even the older version with sodium hypochlorite, based on my own experience. I just read my bleach bottle, and it is the older version.

My experience is that I pour, and not spray, so a bit of a difference. But to clean my Iris, and rid any potential borer activity including eggs, I use 1 part bleach (sodium hypochlorite) to 10 parts water. I use a 5-gallon tub for that, and sometimes I have two (2) tubs going. This translates to 1/2 gallon bleach to 5 gallons of water. (I do use rubber gloves.) When I'm done, that whole tub or two tubs gets poured at my burn pile. It has hurt nothing (except the earthworms). I have a Lilac Bush 6-8 feet away and it is fine. I've done this for several years. The earthworms even return to that area from season to season.

I will be interested to hear further results on this one.

I just realized that this was originally posted "August, 2016", and not August, 2017 this year.

Yes, the original poster has apparently left the building (say hello to Elvis! ), but the discussion carries on.

I am allergic to bleach so I was very happy and thankful when my DD told me that if I am in contact with bleach (or spill bleach on clothing), acting quickly and using Hydrogen Peroxide on the area can neutralize the bleach.

Have no clue if this works in the garden or on plants, or what it might do to the soil, but it works on skin and clothing. Maybe someone can check the science and find some research as it pertains to plants and soil.

TsFlowers said:I just realized that this was originally posted "August, 2016", and not August, 2017 this year.

Go back a few posts, Mary Jo from Fort Myers revived the thread because she has just had the same problem.

In the original discussion I posted a reference about gypsum being used but since the Extension service is involved in this new case I would be inclined to wait for their verdict. I'm not sure what "Truly Green" are planning to spray but I would hope Mary Jo's son has verfieid that they are legitimate (such as with the Better Business Bureau).

Thanks for all the input. I just hired a landscaper, who is cutting all the bougainvillea way back. Should I ask him to add topsoil? Would fertilizing at this point be bad or good? Someone suggested not fertilizing struggling plants. How soon can I fertilize? Mary Jo

I would not add topsoil on top of existing soil. Also it would not be a good idea to fertilize because it would add more salt (depending on the fertilizer). Don't be in too much of a hurry to fertilize.

Did you get any results from the testing?

Guess what? I'm reviving this thread yet again!
A week ago we had the house & gutters cleaned (supposedly plain water). However, a few areas on our house have stucco. They used some form of a bleach solution to clean it. One place that has stucco is the chimney, running up about 3 stories. That is where I have a Miss Kim Lilac planted (a Mother's Day gift from my daughter about 4 years ago).
Today I noticed the leaves are dying (see image). What steps do I take at this point. Note, the landscaped area was freshly mulched with natural shredded bark about 1 week prior to the cleaning.
Biggest concern is the potential loss of the lilac bush and whether or not other plants (holly, burning bush, Rose of Sharon) might also end up affected.
HELP!!!

Hi, I saw this post after searching for damaged plants after exterior house washing. We have a lot of damage to our hydrangeas flowers and leaves, our hostas, porch plants, ferns, etc. after the man doing the washing said it wouldn't hurt any of our plants. Did your other plants sustain damage as well? Did you Miss Kim lilac die completely or survive? Please let me know. I am heartbroken at the damage we have and am concerned about more damage to our hollies, rhododendron and boxwoods.

Nuts4pi said:Guess what? I'm reviving this thread yet again!
A week ago we had the house & gutters cleaned (supposedly plain water). However, a few areas on our house have stucco. They used some form of a bleach solution to clean it. One place that has stucco is the chimney, running up about 3 stories. That is where I have a Miss Kim Lilac planted (a Mother's Day gift from my daughter about 4 years ago).
Today I noticed the leaves are dying (see image). What steps do I take at this point. Note, the landscaped area was freshly mulched with natural shredded bark about 1 week prior to the cleaning.
Biggest concern is the potential loss of the lilac bush and whether or not other plants (holly, burning bush, Rose of Sharon) might also end up affected.
HELP!!!

Before retiring to a blissful life of gardening in rural France I was responsible for regulatory compliance in an industry that used chlorine (bleach) as a sanitizing agent at a target rate of 50ppm. Using an 8% solution of bleach (which is stronger than the 5%+/- you buy in the states) that would be approximately 4 or 5 cc diluted in something less than a gallon of water. Your cowboy cleaners used far more in concentration.

Bleach is very effective, it 'kills' everything.

All of the advice has merit. The most important being flush with water...over and over and over.
We also used acetic acid - vinegar (or others) as a neutralizer in releasing waste water but it too requires calculating with known volumes...and as a homeowner you cannot possibly know what that is in soil after the fact.

Flush with water, cut back dead growth, have your attorney write a very nasty letter to the landscape (?) company. They should not be in business.