Comparing Soft Washing & Power Washing

Soft washing vs. pressure washing: which is right for your house?

Both methods use water and both get things clean. The difference is what does the work. Pressure washing relies on force. Soft washing relies on a cleaning solution, with only enough pressure to apply it and rinse it away. Using the wrong one on the wrong surface is how siding, shingles and paint get damaged.

How pressure washing works

A pressure washer concentrates water into a narrow, high-pressure stream, often in the thousands of PSI. That force blasts dirt, grime and stains off hard surfaces. It is the right tool for concrete driveways, sidewalks, patios and pavers, where the surface can take it and the dirt is ground in.

How soft washing works

Soft washing applies a biodegradable cleaning solution with a fungicide at low pressure, far below a pressure washer. The solution breaks down dirt and kills algae, mildew and mold at the root. Then the surface is rinsed gently. The cleaning comes from the chemistry, not the force.

Why we soft wash houses

Siding is not built for high pressure. A pressure washer can crack or dent vinyl, strip paint, gouge wood and etch softer surfaces.
Water ends up where it should not. High pressure aimed up at lap siding drives water behind the panels and into the wall, where it can lead to mold, rot and damaged insulation you never see.
Growth comes back faster. Pressure knocks the visible layer of algae off but leaves the roots behind. Soft washing kills the growth, so a house stays clean longer.
Windows, seals and screens survive. High pressure can break window seals, tear screens and force water past trim.

When pressure washing is the right call

On hard, durable surfaces: concrete, brick pavers, stone and some decks (at the right pressure for the material). We pressure wash these and soft wash the house, often on the same visit. See power washing for driveways, patios and walkways.

Is soft washing worth it?

For siding, yes. It is safer for the siding, and the results last longer because the growth is killed instead of just knocked back. See what house washing costs for real prices from our jobs.

Can I soft wash my own house?

You can buy the equipment and solutions, but this is where most do-it-yourself damage happens. Mixing the solution too strong can harm plants and some surfaces; too weak and it does nothing. Working on ladders with a sprayer is the other risk. If you do it yourself, protect your plants (see plant safety), test a small area first, and never put a pressure washer nozzle close to siding.