A common question before a house wash is whether the cleaning solution will hurt the landscaping, the dog or the kids. Here is how soft washing works around a home, what we do to protect plants, and what you can do to help.
What is in a soft wash solution
Soft washing uses a biodegradable cleaning solution with a fungicide that kills algae, mildew and mold, plus surfactants that help it cling to the siding. It is applied at low pressure and then rinsed off. Like most effective cleaners, it is strong enough to kill growth on contact, which is exactly why it is handled with care around living plants.
How we protect your plants
- Watering first. We soak the plants, shrubs and grass near the house before any solution is applied. Plants that are full of water absorb much less of anything that lands on them.
- Low pressure, controlled application. Soft washing does not create a mist of solution drifting across the yard the way a high-pressure spray can.
- Rinsing after. When the wash is done, we rinse the siding and the landscaping again to dilute and wash away any runoff.
The solutions we use are biodegradable, and with plants pre-watered and rinsed, landscaping comes through a house wash fine.
Pets and kids
We suggest keeping pets and kids inside while we work. Not because the yard becomes dangerous, but because wet surfaces, hoses, ladders and spray are not a good mix with curious dogs and kids. Once the house and yard are rinsed and dry, everyone can go back to normal.
What you can do to help
- Close windows and doors before we start.
- Move cars, grills, patio furniture and toys away from the house if you can.
- Let us know about anything delicate: a vegetable garden near the foundation, a koi pond, prized plants. We will plan around them.
- Keep pets inside until things dry.
What about doing it yourself?
Most landscaping damage from soft washing comes from do-it-yourself jobs: solutions mixed too strong, plants not watered first, or no rinse afterward. If you wash your own house, water your plants thoroughly before and after, follow the product directions exactly, and test a small area first. Read more in soft washing vs. pressure washing.
Related questions
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Want us to take a look?
We wash homes across Lake Minnetonka and the west metro. Get an instant estimate, call (612) 770-8221, or see our house washing packages and prices.