With growers facing rising operational costs, a focus on recycling of materials, and as methyl bromide and other pesticides and herbicides are being phased out, forward-thinking companies are looking for an effective alternative to sterilize soil, control disease pathogens, nematodes, insects and weeds. Why?

• Because healthy, insect-free, and disease-free plants produce higher yields of vegetables and flowers in less time, reaching the market sooner and resulting in faster sales.

Safe, Clean & Effective. Soil sterilization is an essential part of growing plants as well as reusing or selling media. And one of the most effective ground sterilization solutions to achieve this is with something surprisingly simple: steam.

• Using a commercial soil steamer is a highly effective way to prepare soil in your greenhouses, high tunnels, or open fields for planting.
  • Using steam rids the substrate of fungi, diseases, invasive species, weed seeds, and other harmful biological materials. Using steam before planting gives you larger, healthier plants with improved yields.

Multiple Media Uses. We recommend the Sioux Steam Flo, an easy-to-use portable steam generator designed for soil sterilization in both nurseries and greenhouses. It’s an excellent soil sterilizer for bench soil, potting soil, propagating sand, and ground beds inside the greenhouse for vegetables, plus ground beds outdoors for flowers and vegetables, as well as nursery stock flats, pots, and benches. The Steam Flo soil sterilizer increases crop returns by producing “clean” soil, free from pathogens.

• The Steam Flo is simple to operate. Just level the Steam Flo with provided supplies, attach a garden hose, fill the fuel tank and connect the electrical source.

High Performance. Proven Results. The Steam Flo outputs 370-845 lbs. of steam per hour, and produces quality steam in only 15-20 minutes from a cold start. After initial startup, steam is available continuously for unlimited time periods.

• The unit can sterilize a 5′ x 50′ bench in about two hours and reduces chemical sterilizer usage.
• It can be mounted on a trailer with 15″ pneumatic wheels and pin hitch. It can be towed by a tractor to the location, indoors or out.
• If you need extra heat for short periods of time, you can easily connect the Sioux Steam Flo to a steam line for perimeter heat in hotbeds or plastic houses.

Heavy Duty Construction. The Steam Flo soil sterilizer is constructed of 1/4″ plate steel with brass and black iron fittings. Safety features include steam pressure relief valve, pressure control and automatic water feeder. The Sioux Steam Flo is built to ASME code and is National Board registered.

Interested in a free demonstration or want to learn more? Contact or call us.

Are you paying for undercarriage corrosion?

Whether it’s a company car or a heavy-duty commercial truck, there’s a hidden part of your vehicle and constantly under attack: the underbelly. Why should you care? Because the structural and operational integrity of your undercarriage directly impacts vehicle safety, performance, and even long-term value!  

Unfortunately, in the rush of doing a vehicle wash, it’s commonplace to skip this crucial cleaning step. But when you do, it leaves expensive systems—like the brake lines, suspension, and exhaust—exposed to relentless corrosion. And repair and replacement costs can rapidly climb into the thousands of dollars!

4 Sneaky Undercarriage Corrosives

1. Damage Scratcher

Gravel, rocks, glass and general road debris bounce up into your undercarriage and constantly scrape and chip away at the protective coatings and paint. Once the bare metal is exposed, rust immediately sets in.

2. Sticky Sponge

When they stick to your undercarriage, thick dirt and mud they act like sponges. They trap and hold corrosive elements like moisture, salt and other road chemicals right up against the metal, leading to extremely fast rust spots forming in those areas.

3. Gooey Softener

Oil, grease, and other chemicals you pick up on the road cling to everything, and can rapidly ruin the non-metal parts underneath, causing them to crack or soften and fail early. This includes bushings, rubber seals and plastic wiring insulation.

4. Rust Helper

Driving at the higher elevations where there’s ice and snow? Road salt doesn’t just sit there; it’s an aggressive chemical that makes metal rust much faster. Even worse, the clingy salt takes a long time to break down, waiting for the next bit of water to restart the corrosive process over and over again. If that’s not bad enough, salt actively draws moisture out of the air and holds it tightly against your vehicle’s metal parts, constantly soaking your frame in salt water, making sure the corrosion never gets a chance to stop.

The Solution: 

Precision Undercarriage Cleaning Accessories & Equipment

A garden hose sprayer doesn't have the power to combat these destructive and costly corrosion hazards. 

You need the controlled cleaning power and coverage of a hot water pressure washer paired with the right specialized undercarriage attachments and the best detergents, specifically engineered to connect directly to your pressure washer, delivering focused streams of hot or cold water everywhere those nasty corrosive agents hide.

Purchase a Hotsy 1075SSE Hot Water Pressure Washer (or one of equal value) and receive a Free Legacy undercarriage cleaner (model # 8.749-303.0) - a $1769.35 value!

Mention "undercarriage" to our sales staff to take advantage of this limited time offer. This offer expires February 27th 2026. 

Call 707-585-0100 or contact us to learn more about the right accessories for your pressure washer so you can stop under carriage stop corrosion in its tracks!

Using a floor scrubber in a wine cellar is important for maintaining hygiene, preventing contamination, and protecting your investment. Traditional cleaning methods like mopping can spread microorganisms that thrive in the cellar's humid environment, potentially spoiling the wine. 

Superior Hygiene and Contamination Prevention

• Remove mold and bacteria: Wine cellars are dark and humid environments, which are perfect breeding grounds for mold and bacteria. A floor scrubber thoroughly cleans and disinfects surfaces, removing the organic residues (like spilled wine or grape solids) that microorganisms feed on.
• Prevent off-flavors: Contamination from floor microbes can be aerosolized during cleaning or dragged into contact with equipment and barrels. This can introduce unwanted flavors into the wine, compromising its quality and taste.
• Clean porous surfaces: While seamless polymer floors are ideal, many cellars have concrete floors, which are porous and can harbor contaminants in cracks and crevices. Floor scrubbers with roller brushes can reach into textured surfaces and deep clean more effectively than a standard mop. 

Increased Efficiency and Safety

• Save time and labor: A floor scrubber automates the application of cleaning solution, scrubbing, and water pickup, allowing you to clean a larger area in a fraction of the time it would take to mop. This increased efficiency frees up staff for other important cellar tasks.
• Reduce slip hazards: Manual mopping leaves floors wet and slippery, posing a fall risk. A floor scrubber uses a vacuum and squeegee system to recover the dirty water, leaving the floor clean and dry almost immediately.
• Eliminate dirty water reuse: Unlike mopping, which reuses increasingly dirty water from a bucket, a floor scrubber uses fresh cleaning solution throughout the process. The dirty water is collected in a separate recovery tank, preventing cross-contamination. 

Protection of Your Investment

• Preserve corks and labels: Mold in a humid cellar environment can damage wine labels and, more critically, weaken corks. Compromised corks can lead to oxidation and spoilage of the wine. A floor scrubber helps control the microbial load in the cellar, protecting the integrity of your wine collection.
• Protect flooring: Regularly deep-cleaning the floor removes the corrosive effects of wine acids and prevents the buildup of grime that can damage the surface over time. Using the right cleaning solution and brush for your floor type (e.g., concrete, epoxy) extends its lifespan. 

Ready to take your cellar hygiene to the next level?
Browse Floor Scrubber Machines

Achoo! Guess what can cost you $2,495 per employee? 

It’s that time of year for the Flu and many other viruses to hit your employees and knock them off line for several days or longer. Already, doctors and hospitals are reporting more flu-like illnesses.

Why should you care? Because poor employee health costs U.S. employers and organizations over $575 Billion and 1.5 Billion work days of lost productivity and annually!

The Flu is nothing to sneeze at! Did you know that productivity losses linked to absences cost U.S. employers $2,495 per employee per year – and smaller businesses feel the effect of absenteeism even more?

On top of that, if your employees come in while sick, the loss in productivity while on the job added up to 44 days per year. All coming right off your bottom line.

You CAN reduce the cost and risk...

We all know how easily the Flu, Covid-19 and other viruses can spread. And with today’s employees often coming in sick to work – and “sharing” their illness with every cough and sneeze – it’s vital for your company, school or organization to take the smart approach and fight back – before the viruses get into your building or offices.

You CAN kill 99.99% of Bacteria and Common Viruses!

It’s easy and safe to apply on a variety of surfaces, including food & beverage equipment, drinking fountains, restroom fixtures, vending machines, railings and door knobs, buses, playground equipment, desks, and much more.

Vital Oxide kills 99.999% of bacteria in less than 60 seconds, including the Noro Virus and Covid-19 virus, giving it greater results than other disinfectant products. It’s one powerful product with solutions to many problems.

• Residential, Commercial, School & Hospital Disinfectant
• Food Contact Sanitizer – NSF Registered (D2) Sanitizer
• Also effective against Noro Virus, COVID-19, Parvo, Staph & Strep, E. Coli, and tuberculosis.
• Allergen Eliminator | Odor Eliminator | Mold and Mildew Inhibitor
• HVAC and Air Ducts | Soft Surface Sanitizer
• Available in liquid and wipes.

Vital Oxide is EPA-registered as a sanitizer, disinfectant, cleaner, mold killer, and odor eliminator. It is one part stable Chlorine Dioxide and one part water, so there is no need to mix it, and it is safe for use around both humans and animals. The formula can be used as a disinfectant, including as a spray or fog, or be diluted further and used as a sanitizer.

This season, fight back against the Flu and viruses with Vital Oxide. Order now.

Not all detergents work the same way. If you’re using the wrong scrubbing bubbles you – and your equipment – will be sorry.

Using the wrong detergent in your commercial or industrial pressure washer can set you up for everything from poor cleaning results to damaging your equipment and costing you big bucks. Do you know the 5 warning signs you’re using the wrong detergent?

5 Signs You’re Using The Wrong Detergent With Your Pressure Washer

Choosing the right detergent is crucial when it comes to maintaining your commercial or industrial pressure washer. But did you know that detergents are not interchangeable because each one is formulated to deliver specific results?

Using an incompatible or ineffective detergent can lead to a variety of problems, from way too many sudsy bubbles clogging the works to poor cleaning outcomes to damage to your equipment. Check out these are five signs that signal you might be using the wrong detergent with your pressure washer, plus professional tips on how to protect your equipment and improve cleaning results.

Equipment Damage and Wear

Using the wrong detergent can lead to long-term damage to your pressure washer. If you start to see signs of wear, corrosion, or other types of damage, it’s essential to check your detergent’s compatibility. Some detergents contain harsh chemicals that can harm your pressure washer’s components, resulting in costly repairs.

Protect Your Equipment – And Save Money on Repairs – by choosing a detergent that is specifically formulated for your machine and cleaning needs.

Poor Cleaning Performance

The correct pressure washer detergent is formulated to work with your machine’s pressure and temperature settings. If you see that dirt, grime, or stains are not being effectively removed, you may need to change your detergent. If your detergent isn’t cutting through the buildup and you are experiencing pressure washer cleaning issues, it’s likely not designed for your specific cleaning needs.

Double Check Your Detergent’s Label. All detergents will list proper usage instructions and you want to use the right one for your job’s needs.

Leftover Residue or Streaks

If you see residue or streaks left on the surface after washing, it’s a sign that the detergent may not be rinsing off properly. This can occur when the detergent is incompatible with the nozzle or with your pressure washer’s settings.

Using the Right Detergent Specifically Designed for Your Machine can help ensure that surfaces are left clean and free from streaks and residue, and enhance your overall cleaning results.

Excessive Foam, Suds & Bubbles

While you can expect some foam when using a detergent, excessive foam or suds can be a red flag. If your pressure washer is producing an overwhelming amount of foam, it may signal that your detergent is too thick or not suitable for your equipment. This can result in system clogs and impact the pressure washer’s performance.

Always Check the Manufacturer’s Recommendations for the appropriate detergent consistency to prevent these issues from occurring.

Increased Maintenance Needs

If you frequently need to service or repair your pressure washer, your detergent may be the culprit. Incompatible detergents can lead to clogs, increased wear on components, plus other maintenance problems. It’s a triple threat: it impacts your machine’s operation, increases downtime and increases operational costs.

By Selecting the Right Detergent, You Can Reduce Maintenance Frequency and keep your pressure washer running smoothly.

3 Steps to Choosing Your Detergents Wisely

When selecting the proper detergent for your cleaning needs, the following 3 steps should be used when looking at detergent options.

1. Type of cleaning task: Identify the surfaces and types of grime you need to clean.
2. Pressure washer specifications: Refer to your pressure washer’s manual for compatible detergent types.
3. Environmental considerations: Choose eco-friendly options for your cleaning environment.

The best industrial cleaning detergents and degreasers are designed to break the bond between the debris and the surface, and can speed up the overall process, save you time and money, reduce the amount of water used, provide a much cleaner surface, and reduce the wear and tear on your pressure washer, extending its operational life.

North Bay Equipment offers a wide selection of proven commercial and industrial cleaning solutions, from Detergents and Degreasers to Disinfectants and Parts Washer Detergents, that are the ideal solutions for your needs, will meet your cleaning requirements and will keep your machines running right.

The right detergent can make all the difference!

Protect your equipment and improve your cleaning efficiency by choosing a detergent specifically designed for your pressure washer. Contact an expert at North Bay Equipment for all your pressure washing needs today!