The twigs on dead shrubs turn dry and brittle eventually. Before then lack of any sprouting of new growth at all for an entire season would be a definite hint.

cleaner? what was in that

Spray and Forget. I've used it Spray and Forget before but only to spray spot areas. This time I used the bottle you attach to the garden house for the deck and house.

How to tell if a shrub is completely gone

==>>> wait one year.. and observe ...

minor leaf damage means nothing ... in the long run

and do try to think in tree or shrub time.. which is decades ... not a couple days since you MIGHT have damaged a few leaves ...

here in MI ... im looking at last weeks freeze damage..

and last months frost damage ...

i am sure nothings dying ...

ken

Kay, I suspect that your woody shrubs will recover....new leaves will replace the ones fried by the harsh cleaner.