STIHL Cleaning Products: Detergents, Accessories, and Care Explained

STIHL is best known for chainsaws and trimmers, but the company also builds a full pressure washing system, and a big part of that system is its cleaning products. If you own a STIHL high-pressure cleaner, or you are considering one, the cleaning products line is what turns the machine from a water blaster into a complete cleaning kit. It spans detergents and care agents, blasting granulate, and a wide range of accessories from nozzles and brushes to surface cleaners and pipe cleaning sets. This guide maps the STIHL cleaning products range and explains what each part is for.

What Counts as a STIHL Cleaning Product

STIHL groups its cleaning gear under a category it calls cleaning systems, alongside the high-pressure cleaners themselves. Within that system, the cleaning products divide into three broad buckets. First, the cleaning agents and maintenance products: detergents, surface cleaners, and care fluids. Second, the blasting media, chiefly the blasting granulate used with a wet sandblasting attachment. Third, the accessories: the nozzles, brushes, surface cleaners, hoses, and kits that let a machine perform different tasks.

It helps to think of the pressure washer as the engine and everything else as the tooling. The machine supplies pressure and flow; the cleaning products decide how that force is applied and what chemistry assists it. You can read more about the machines themselves in our overview of STIHL pressure washers. The rest of this article focuses on the products that surround the machine.

The Cleaning Agent Family

STIHL cleaning agents are the detergents and chemical solutions that make water and pressure more effective. The company describes the range as running from universal detergents to special cleaning agents, with something for every surface. The logic is simple: water alone lifts loose dirt, but a matched detergent dissolves the oils, films, and organic growth that cling to a surface. Using the right agent reduces the pressure you need, which is safer for paint, wood, and delicate finishes.

Most STIHL high-pressure cleaners include a cleaning agent spray set that attaches to the spray lance and draws detergent from a bottle. That means you do not need a separate foam gun to start using cleaning agents; the machine is set up for it out of the box. The STIHL pressure washer accessories catalog lists the available agents and their intended surfaces.

Vehicle Cleaner Detergent and the Vehicle Cleaning Kit

The vehicle cleaner is one of STIHL’s most useful cleaning agents. It is described as an efficient shampoo and wax for all vehicles, sold by the litre, designed to clean and leave a protective finish in one step. It pairs with a vehicle cleaning kit that includes the attachment needed to apply it, and the kit is offered for specific machine families so that the fittings match. For anyone who washes cars, bikes, or trailers, this is the core of the STIHL vehicle cleaning lineup.

The appeal of a matched vehicle detergent is that it is formulated to work with the machine’s low-pressure soap setting rather than against it. A car soap that foams the wrong way or leaves residue can be worse than no soap at all, which is why a purpose-built agent paired with a low-pressure nozzle and a soft wash brush is the sensible combination. Our guide to soap and detergent explains how the chemistry and the machine work together.

CS 100 Stone and Facade Cleaner

For masonry and exterior walls, STIHL offers the CS 100 stone and facade cleaner, a more powerful agent aimed at stone, brick, and rendered surfaces. It is sold by the litre and, in some markets, only through approved dealers. This is a specialist product for the kind of dirt that lives in the pores of masonry: algae, mold staining, and embedded grime that plain water will not lift.

Masonry cleaners like this are meant to be applied, allowed to dwell, and then rinsed, often with a moderate green or yellow tip rather than a harsh zero-degree blast. The chemistry does the penetration work so the pressure can stay gentle enough to protect the mortar and the surface. For more on matching the tool and the chemistry to the job, our guide to a pressure washer degreaser covers the same selection logic.

Blasting Granulate and Wet Sandblasting

One of the more specialised STIHL cleaning products is the blasting granulate used with a wet sandblasting attachment. The attachment adds a jet that draws granulate into the water stream so it can strip rust, paint, and heavy scale from masonry and metal parts. The granulate is the abrasive medium, and STIHL notes that its own granulate delivers the best results with the sandblasting kit.

Wet sandblasting is a serious capability, and it follows the same principle as any abrasive blasting: a hard medium carried in water removes material aggressively. It is not a general cleaning tool; it is for restoration work where the surface is being stripped back to bare material. Our look at the wet sandblasting kit explains how the attachment turns a pressure washer into a dust-free blaster and when that power is appropriate.

Pressure Washer Accessories: Nozzles

The nozzle range is where most users start expanding a STIHL cleaning setup. STIHL offers several nozzle styles, and each covers a different job. Nozzles attach with a plug coupling that needs no tools, so swaps take seconds.

Nozzle	Purpose
Rotary / rotating nozzle	Concentrated power for stubborn dirt on resilient surfaces
Multi-function nozzle	Several patterns in one body, up to 4,200 PSI
Fan jet nozzle	Pressure-variable spray for different surfaces
Long range detergent nozzle	Throws soap to high or distant areas
Color nozzles (15, 25, 65 deg)	Standard angle set, usually sold as a pack

The rotary nozzle is the standout for hard surfaces; its rotating jet combines pinpoint force with wide coverage. The long-range detergent nozzle is the tool for reaching a second story or a distant wall with soap. If you are new to nozzle colors and sizes, our nozzle guide explains the angle code and why the stamped size matters as much as the color.

Wash Brushes and Surface Cleaners

For gentle or large-area work, STIHL cleaning products include brushes and surface cleaners. Wash brushes with natural bristles clean delicate surfaces thoroughly but gently, which suits vehicle panels, garden furniture, and painted trim. A rotating roller brush handles larger, sensitive areas with less effort. Foam nozzles add a further option for very delicate materials, laying down a blanket of foam so the chemistry loosens dirt before any brush or jet touches it.

For flat paving, the rotating surface cleaner is the efficiency tool. It confines the spray under a hood and spins it, cleaning concrete and stone far faster than a wand, with less overspray and streaking. The choice between a brush and a surface cleaner comes down to surface shape: brushes for curves, verticals, and delicate finishes, surface cleaners for flat area. Our guide to choosing and using a surface cleaner expands on the trade-offs, and our look at the rotating pressure washer brush explains how the water-driven brush works.

Pipe Cleaning Sets and Hose Extensions

STIHL also sells specialised cleaning products for drainage and reach. A pipe cleaning set uses a hose that feeds into a drain and a backward-facing jet to pull itself along while flushing debris, which is the standard way to clear a blocked pipe with a pressure washer. Hose extensions and telescopic spray lances extend reach so you can clean high walls or large areas without climbing.

These are job-specific products rather than everyday items. If you have a recurring blocked drain or a tall facade, the pipe cleaning set or telescopic lance earns its place. Otherwise, they sit at the fringes of most owners’ needs. The principle behind the pipe cleaning hose is the same as general pressure washer jetting, which our guide to the jetting hose explains.

Water Filters and Backflow Preventers

Two of the more quietly important STIHL cleaning products are protective rather than productive. A water filter fits between the tap and the machine to trap grit and sediment before it reaches the pump, protecting the internals in areas with dirty or hard water. A backflow preventer stops water from flowing back out of the pressure washer into your household supply, which is both a plumbing-safety device and, in many regions, a requirement.

Neither is glamorous, and both are easy to skip. That would be a mistake. Grit is one of the leading causes of pump wear, and a filter is far cheaper than a pump. The backflow preventer protects your drinking water. Treat them as core accessories, not optional extras. The same protective instinct is behind routine care such as the right STIHL pump oil and off-season storage.

Maintenance and Care Products

STIHL cleaning products also include maintenance items that keep the machine healthy. Pump oil is the most important, since the pump is the part that wears out and fails most often. Care also extends to winter preparation: draining the machine, protecting it from frost, and storing it correctly. These products do not clean a surface, but they keep the cleaning system working, which is why STIHL groups them with the cleaners.

A simple rule is that every cleaning job should end with a little machine care. Rinse the detergent out of the system, check the filter, and drain the hose and pump before cold weather. Our guide to storing a power washer for winter lays out the routine that prevents freeze damage and keeps seals alive.

The Machines These Products Pair With

STIHL cleaning products are built around the STIHL high-pressure cleaner family, which ranges from compact home units to commercial machines. The RE 80 is an entry electric washer around 1,600 PSI, the RE 90 and RE 130 PLUS step up in pressure and hose length, and battery models such as the REA 60 and REA 100 PLUS bring cordless convenience. Higher-end machines, such as the RB 400, serve professional users.

The important point is compatibility. STIHL’s quick-release and plug couplings are designed so its own nozzles, lances, and accessories connect without tools, and its cleaning agents are formulated for its machines. That is the chief advantage of buying within the STIHL ecosystem: everything is matched. The trade-off is that proprietary fittings can limit aftermarket options, so it pays to buy the accessories you need up front. Our machine overview of electric and battery STIHL washers covers the range in detail.

Choosing Cleaning Products by Job

Job	STIHL product type
Washing vehicles	Vehicle cleaner detergent plus vehicle cleaning kit
Cleaning stone and facades	CS 100 stone and facade cleaner
Stripping rust and paint	Wet sandblasting device plus blasting granulate
Large flat paving	Rotating surface cleaner
Delicate surfaces, vehicles	Wash brush or foam nozzle
Blocked drains	Pipe cleaning set
Protecting the machine	Water filter, pump oil, backflow preventer

Read down the left column to find your job, then match it to the product type. That mapping covers the vast majority of what the STIHL cleaning products line is designed to do, and it is a good way to plan a purchase instead of buying accessories piecemeal. For a wider catalog of upgrades and kits, see the active pressure washer accessories guide.

Buying STIHL Cleaning Products

STIHL cleaning products are sold through STIHL’s online shops and its approved dealer network. Availability varies by region and product; some specialist agents, such as the stone and facade cleaner, are dealer-only in certain markets, while common accessories are widely stocked. Prices range from a few dollars for a detergent nozzle to hundreds for a surface cleaner or pipe cleaning set, so it is worth knowing your jobs before you buy.

Before ordering, confirm two things: that the accessory fits your specific machine’s coupling, and that the cleaning agent is suited to your surface. The STIHL cleaning systems page and the regional accessories catalogs list the compatible machines for each product. When in doubt, a STIHL dealer can confirm fit in seconds, which beats ordering the wrong fitting and waiting for a return.

Compatibility and Safety

Two cautions apply when using STIHL cleaning products. First, respect compatibility: not every accessory fits every machine, and not every cleaning agent suits every surface. A stone cleaner on a car’s paint, or a stiff brush on a polished finish, causes damage that no warranty covers. Second, handle chemicals with care. Wear appropriate protection, follow the product directions for dilution and dwell time, never mix agents, and keep cleaning fluids away from skin and eyes.

The pressure itself is the third caution. Even with the best cleaning products, a high-pressure jet can injure or damage. Respect the tips, keep the wand moving, and never point a nozzle at a person. Our overview of high-pressure water jet safety covers the injuries that are easy to underestimate. Good cleaning products make the job easier and safer, not the pressure less dangerous.

How Cleaning Agents Work With the Machine

Understanding how a pressure washer applies detergent explains why matched cleaning products matter. Most STIHL high-pressure cleaners use a downstream injector or a lance-mounted draw tube that siphons cleaning agent into the water stream only when you are on a low-pressure setting. On high pressure, the flow path bypasses the siphon and no detergent is drawn. That is why you always apply soap with a low-pressure tip or soap nozzle and rinse with a high-pressure tip.

This design also means dilution matters. Agents are concentrated, and the machine dilutes them as it draws, so a product dosed for the system performs as intended while one that is too thick may not siphon at all. STIHL’s own agents are formulated to flow through this hardware, which is a quiet but real advantage over generic cleaners. The same downstream principle is used across most consumer pressure washers, as our guide to detergent tanks explains.

Foam Nozzle vs the Cleaning Agent Spray Set

STIHL offers two ways to apply cleaning products, and the difference is worth knowing. The cleaning agent spray set, included with most machines, attaches to the spray lance and draws detergent into the jet for a straightforward soap-and-rinse pass. It is quick, uses little product, and suits general washing. The foam nozzle is a separate accessory with a measuring system that mixes the agent and air to produce a thick clinging foam.

Foam has an advantage on vertical and delicate surfaces because it stays put instead of running off, giving the chemistry more dwell time to loosen dirt before you rinse. That makes the foam nozzle a good match for detailed vehicle work and textured surfaces. The spray set is the everyday tool; the foam nozzle is the upgrade when you want a longer dwell and a more visible coverage indicator. Both rely on the same cleaning agents, so you are choosing the delivery method, not the chemical.

Mixing STIHL Cleaning Products With Other Brands

You can often use third-party cleaning agents in a STIHL machine, and you can sometimes fit aftermarket accessories with the right adapter. The caution is to match the coupling and the pressure rating. STIHL’s plug and quick-release couplings are proprietary, so a generic nozzle or lance may not seat without an adapter, and forcing a mismatched fitting can leak or fail under pressure. Accessories should always be rated at or above your machine’s maximum PSI.

Cleaning agents are more forgiving; most quality detergents work in any downstream system. The risk is chemistry: a harsh or incompatible agent can damage seals or the pump, and a product not meant for pressure washers may foam the wrong way or clog the siphon. The safe approach is to use STIHL agents where the machine is under warranty and to vet any substitute for compatibility before pouring it in. For more on how products are matched to machines, see our accessories guide.

Seasonal Cleaning With STIHL Products

The jobs change with the seasons, and the STIHL cleaning products line maps neatly onto that cycle. Spring and summer are for washing vehicles, patio furniture, decking, and driveways with vehicle cleaner, a wash brush, and a surface cleaner. It is also the time for the stone and facade cleaner, since mild weather lets you apply and rinse without the risk of the agent drying too fast on hot stone.

Autumn brings gutter, siding, and pathway cleaning before winter sets in, and it is the moment to run the last of the detergent out of the system and prepare the machine for storage. Winter is when protective products matter most: pump oil, filters, and correct storage prevent the freeze damage that kills pumps. Come spring, you reverse the process and check the filter before the first big job. Following that cycle keeps both the surfaces and the machine in good shape year after year.

Frequently Asked Questions

What cleaning products does STIHL make? STIHL offers cleaning agents such as vehicle detergent and CS 100 stone and facade cleaner, blasting granulate for wet sandblasting, and accessories including nozzles, wash brushes, surface cleaners, foam nozzles, pipe cleaning sets, hose extensions, water filters, and backflow preventers.

Are STIHL cleaning products only for STIHL pressure washers? They are designed and matched for STIHL machines, and the quick-release and plug couplings make fitting straightforward. Some accessories may fit other brands with adapters, but the cleaning agents are formulated for the STIHL system.

Does a STIHL pressure washer come with a detergent system? Most STIHL high-pressure cleaners include a cleaning agent spray set that attaches to the spray lance, so you can apply detergent without buying a separate foam gun.

What is STIHL blasting granulate used for? It is the abrasive medium used with the wet sandblasting attachment to strip rust, paint, and heavy scale from masonry and metal parts. It is a restoration tool, not a general cleaner.

Where can I buy STIHL cleaning products? Through STIHL’s online shops and approved dealers. Availability varies by region, and some specialised agents are dealer-only, so check the regional catalog or ask a dealer for the parts that fit your machine.

Common Mistakes When Choosing Cleaning Products

The most common mistake is buying a single harsh nozzle and one generic detergent and treating them as universal. That combination strips paint, etches stone, and leaves soap residue because the products were never matched to the surface or the machine. Cleaning is a system of pressure, pattern, chemistry, and dwell time, and the STIHL line is designed to let you vary all four.

A second mistake is ignoring the protective products. Water filters, backflow preventers, and pump oil are the least exciting items in the catalog, yet they prevent the failures that cost the most. A third is over-using detergent when plain water would do; soap on every job means more rinsing and more residue. Finally, many owners buy accessories for the wrong machine, then discover the fitting does not connect. Checking compatibility before purchase avoids that entirely, and our guide to pressure washing safety is a useful companion for applying these products without harming surfaces or yourself.

STIHL Cleaning Products and Your Warranty

Using matched STIHL cleaning products and accessories helps protect your warranty. Manufacturers expect a machine to be run with compatible fluids and fittings, and a failure traced to an incompatible cleaning agent or an unrated accessory may not be covered. Because STIHL agents and accessories are engineered for the machines, staying within the system removes that doubt.

This does not mean you must buy every item from STIHL. It means the parts that touch the pump, the seals, and the high-pressure path should be rated and compatible, and the chemistry should be intended for pressure washers. Keep your receipts, follow the maintenance schedule, and use the correct pump oil and filter, and you give yourself the best chance of a covered repair if something fails. Good habits and good products go together.

Final Thoughts

STIHL cleaning products turn a high-pressure cleaner into a complete cleaning system. The agents handle the chemistry, the brushes and surface cleaners handle the agitation, the nozzles and lances handle the reach and pattern, and the filters and oils keep the machine alive. Bought as a matched set, they make cleaning faster, gentler, and more consistent than water and pressure alone.

Start with the jobs you actually face around your own property, then buy the product that solves each one: vehicle detergent and a wash brush for cars, a surface cleaner for paving, a stone cleaner for masonry, and a water filter to protect the pump. Keep the machine cared for, respect compatibility and safety, and the STIHL cleaning system will pay for itself in results and in the life of the washer.