Sodium Hypochlorite 12.5 percent and water, mixed 60 percent water to 40 percent Sodium Hypochlorite will clean a shingle roof.
TSP and Borax, the other ingredients in Apple Sauce are not "necessary".
But make no mistake, the TSP and Borax in Apple Sauce make for a nicer looking final product, and the roof done with Apple Sauce will stay clean longer.
A roof done with the addition of TSP/Borax to the mix takes on a certain "look" to it.
This look is seldom observed just using Sodium Hypochlorite and water alone.
TSP does make a difference.
Borax not only keeps roofs clean longer, but it is a buffer chemical.
It buffers around PH 9.
This means it "makes" the Sodium Hypochlorite cleaning solution "stronger" by keeping the PH down.
Formation of Hyperchlorus Acid is more favorable at lower PH ranges.
Borax effect on boosting bleach in Laundry is well known.
That is another reason why Borax is an ingredient of Apple Sauce.
TSP and Borax are inexpensive, readily obtainable chemicals.
They will enable you to make and clean with a field proven, state of the art, non pressure roof cleaning mix.
But if you are short of TSP or Borax to make Apple Sauce, only one chemical may be used instead of both.
And, in a pinch, you can clean with just Sodium Hypochlorite and water,
and NO TSP or Borax.