What is Soft Washing a House? (Your Complete Guide)

Are you a homeowner asking, what is soft washing? If so, you’re certainly not alone! Some power washing companies today offer soft wash cleaning rather than high-pressure scrubbing. In turn, homeowners might wonder the difference between soft wash systems and other pressure washing options.

Additionally, it’s only natural to wonder if soft wash pressure washing is effective, especially on tough dirt, mold, and stains. After all, you want to ensure you get what you pay for when you invest in professional exterior cleaning! Check out some details about soft wash systems, and then call a company for house pressure washing for more information if needed.

What is Soft Washing?

Soft washing is a form of low pressure washing that uses gentle, safe detergents to clean the exterior of a home. The detergent is applied wusing a low pressure power washer. Soft washing is perfect for cleaning homes with softer surfaces like stucco, brick, stone or wood. It's also great for homes that have been previously painted because it will not damage the paint like high-pressure washing can.

What are the benefits of soft washing?

Soft washing has a number of benefits over traditional pressure washing. The main benefit is that it is much gentler on your home's exterior surfaces. This means that it won't damage paint, stucco, brick, or wood like high-pressure washing can. It also won't strip away the protective sealant on newer homes.

Another benefit of soft washing is that it is much more effective at removing dirt, grime, and mold than pressure washing. This is because the detergent used in soft washing penetrates deep into the pores of the surface to loosen the dirt, which is then easily rinsed away. Pressure washing can sometimes push dirt and grime around, rather than removing it.

Finally, soft washing is much safer for the environment than pressure washing. The detergents used in soft washing are biodegradable and non-toxic, so they won't harm plants or animals. Pressure washing can sometimes use harsh chemicals that can be harmful to the environment.

Difference Between Pressure Washing and Soft Washing

Simply put, pressure washing refers to using pressurized water for cleaning, no matter the pressure levels. For example, if you attach a pressure nozzle to a garden hose to wash anything, you’re technically pressure washing! Also, note that pressure washers usually use lukewarm tap water from a nearby spigot.

On the other hand, power washing refers to using hot water for washing. Power washing equipment comes equipped with a heating element that heats water as it circulates. Hot water dissolves grease and oil, adhesives, and other materials more easily than lukewarm water.

In turn, a contractor might use power washing to remove oil stains on a driveway or thick paint. However, both power and pressure washing risk damaging soft materials like wood or thin metal materials. Additionally, high-pressure washing risks blowing shingles off roofs, splitting screens, and even shattering glass!

Consequently, many power washing companies today offer soft-wash pressure washing. These systems start with high-quality detergents designed to dissolve thick dirt and grime. First, a contractor applies these detergents where needed. Second, they allow them to sit and break up as much debris and residues as possible.

Lastly, a low-pressure rinse removes all that dirt and detergent gently and safely. As a result, outdoor surfaces are clean and damage-free. Soft wash systems also mean less splattering and pose less risk to landscaping features as well.

Is Soft Washing a House Worth the Money?

After asking, what is soft washing a house, many homeowners then wonder if the service is worth the money. The short answer is yes, regular power washing is an excellent investment for any home! Check out some reasons why you should consider scheduling this work for your property:

• Pressure washing removes damp storm debris from roofs, reducing the risk of water damage. Additionally, remember that roof debris often ends up in gutters, risking clogs! Clogged rain gutters let water wash over them, collecting around the home’s perimeter. Regular cleaning then protects exterior walls and foundations from that damage.
• The longer you ignore grass clippings, chemicals, and other residues on your property, the greater the risk of permanent stains. Washing away clippings, oily residues, and other problem spots quickly keeps them from seeping in and becoming permanent.
• Pressure washing cleans away airborne pollen, dust, air pollution chemicals, smokey and ash, and other irritants from exterior surfaces. In turn, you’ll breathe easier and enjoy fewer bothersome odors when you schedule pressure washing.
• Regular pressure cleaning removes insect nests and termite tunnels. As a result, there’s less risk of these bothersome, damaging pests getting into your home.
• Professional cleaning removes mold and its spores, algae, mildew, and other growing debris. This protects a property from damage and keeps outdoor air cleaner as well.
• Above all, power washing ensures a clean, pristine property you’ll love to call home! Regular professional cleaning ensures a welcoming outdoor space, ready for relaxing or entertaining.

When Should You Soft Wash a House?

Most homeowners find that annual pressure washing, or washing a home at least every few years, offers sufficient cleaning. However, you might increase this schedule if you live in an especially dusty area. Production facilities, highways, marinas, and airports often mean layers of dust settling onto nearby properties. In turn, your home might need power washing every few months to stay clean.

Also, mature trees often drop lots of debris onto a home’s roof and drip sap down exterior walls. Consequently, consider more frequent power washing, depending on the number and age of trees on your lot. Additionally, pressure wash your home as often as needed to keep it free of pollen, dust, and bothersome odors.

Moreover, many homeowners find it helpful to schedule pressure washing after entertaining all summer. If you cook outside, you might notice smoke and ash residues along exterior walls. Airborne pool chlorine and other chemicals also tend to cling to outdoor surfaces. In turn, a thorough power washing at the end of the season means a clean, pristine property.

Lastly, always consider a soft wash cleaning before putting your home on the market. After all, a dirty exterior can turn away buyers before they ever walk through the front door. Also, dirt and grime outside the home can make buyers assume it’s neglected and rundown inside as well. Additionally, a clean property always looks more enticing in photos and marketing materials!

Can a Contractor Soft Wash Every Area of a Property?

Soft wash offers safe, gentle cleaning, making it an excellent choice for virtually every outdoor surface. Consequently, contractors might soft wash materials that pressure washing often damages. This can include roofing shingles, soft brick, wood decks and fences, and patio pavers.

However, some contractors might also use specialty brushes for cleaning concrete and stone pavers. Surface pits and pores tend to absorb dirt, mud, and other grime, making cleaning difficult. Also, a contractor might need to use brushes and other equipment on tough stains, adhesives, chewing gum, and the like.

Additionally, pressure washing contractors don’t always offer cleaning for every outdoor item and material. For instance, even soft washing might risk toppling small, lightweight sheds. Cleaning chemicals might also damage certain plastics. With this in mind, ask a potential contractor about their cleaning services and what they can do for your property!

ProClean Pressure Washing Lakewood Ranch is happy to help answer the question, what is soft washing? Hopefully, you found this information useful. If you’re ready for expert soft wash cleaning, call our Lakewood Ranch pressure washing contractors. We’ll schedule a convenient, no-cost price quote appointment. To get your property started, contact us today.