man pressure washing siding of house | soft washing vs pressure washing

Soft washing and pressure washing are two of the most common systems for exterior house cleaning. While both types of washing are highly effective, they have their own pros and cons. Before choosing a system to clean your house exterior, it’s important to differentiate soft washing vs pressure washing as well as the proper use of each cleaning system.


Soft Washing vs Pressure Washing: What’s the Difference?

Soft washing and pressure washing are highly effective cleaning processes that remove mold, algae, dust, dirt, and other biological elements from your home’s exterior. Both cleaning systems use a pump and a hose to spray water onto a surface. However, there are key differences between these two.

So, what is soft washing? This cleaning system uses low pressure and specialized solutions to remove dirt and debris from your home’s roof or windows. With soft wash systems, a biodegradable chemical is first applied to loosen up the dirt and grime. Then, a high volume of water (but with very little pressure) is applied to the surface.

Pressure washing, on the other hand, blows away dirt and grime with force. It does this by applying a great amount of pressure to a source of water to clean your exterior surfaces. Chemical solutions may be applied, but the high-pressure water spray is usually enough to remove biological elements from your home’s exterior.

While pressure washing is highly effective for exterior house cleaning, it can cause a lot of damage, as well. As this cleaning system uses an extreme amount of pressure, surfaces may become damaged in the process. It can wear out paint, blow window seals, or destroy landscaping.

Knowing the difference between soft washing vs pressure washing is important when deciding which cleaning system will be better for your exterior house cleaning. The choice between a soft wash and a pressure wash will depend on the type of surface that you want to clean.


When to Use a Pressure Wash System for Exterior House Cleaning

man washing house facade with high pressure washer | what is soft washingA professional pressure wash system can expel water at around 2,000 to 3,000 pounds per square inch (PSI). While a high PSI allows you to clean surfaces effectively, it can also cause damage to the softer exteriors of your house such as the roof and windows.

Pressure washing is better suited for hard and tough surfaces such as paved patios, brick walls, garage floors, driveways, pathways, and sidewalks. This cleaning system can remove mold, grime, mud, and even paint without damaging your concrete surfaces. It is also beneficial to pressure wash these surfaces before painting or sealing.

Since a pressure wash uses a high level of pressure, this cleaning system does not need to use as many chemicals. The pressurized water alone can be enough to remove biological elements from your house’s exterior. However, if improperly used, a pressure wash system can cause significant harm not only to your surfaces but also to other people. Always remember pressure washer safety precautions and don’t hesitate to contact a professional service for proper administration.


When to Use a Soft Wash System for Exterior House Cleaning

hand cleaning roller shutters with rug | exterior house cleaningA soft wash pressure washing system expels water at a lower pressure — about 500 to 1,000 PSI — similar to a common garden hose. It is still highly effective for cleaning your home’s exterior but will involve the use of more water and chemicals.

Soft washing involves an environment-friendly product that uses a chemical process to destroy bacteria and debris. It can remove biological elements without damaging the surfaces of your home. The biodegradable chemical is safe for use around your family, pets, and plants. Thus, soft washes allow homeowners to clean their exterior surfaces without harming the environment.

Initially, a soft wash was a cleaning method for safely removing algae from shingle roofs. Based strongly on the spray-and-kill approach, a soft wash is a more delicate process than power washing. Soft washing can be applied to a variety of surfaces such as stucco, wood decking, wood siding, wood fencing, painted wood, asphalt shingles, metal buildings, and cedar shake, among others. These surfaces would be more vulnerable to a pressure wash system.

Another great feature of soft washes is its ability to clean in between crevices. With more detailed cleaning, this type of cleaning can last up to four to six times longer than power washing. With minimal upkeep, a soft wash may be a bit more cost-efficient than pressure washing.


How to Choose Between Soft Washing vs Pressure Washing

Clean home with healthy front yard during late spring season | soft wash pressure washingBoth soft washing and pressure washing are highly effective cleaning systems. Your choice will depend on your exterior house cleaning needs. If you need to remove dirt and grime on your driveway, a pressure wash might be the better choice. Meanwhile, if you need to clean your roof, a soft wash can effectively clean the surface without causing damage.

When choosing a cleaning system, you also need to think about how it can affect your home. Pressure washing is effective, but it does not provide the same assurances as soft washing. For example, pressure washing may cause damage to your home or landscape due to the high amount of pressure. Soft washing can still get the job done without potential hazards.

Aside from choosing between soft washing vs pressure washing, you also need to ensure that you can administer exterior house cleaning properly. To really minimize damage to your home, it’s always best to enlist a professional pressure washing service. They will have expertise and experience, as well as the qualified equipment for both cleaning systems.


The Best Exterior House Cleaning Method

A house is one of the most valuable assets that one can have. That’s why it’s important to maintain it properly so that it not only looks good but also functions well. Though there are many aspects of home maintenance, exterior house cleaning is a crucial component. The façade is what most people will see when they pass by your house. Hopefully, now that you have a better understanding of soft washing vs pressure washing, you can choose the best cleaning method that will make your exterior look good and stand out.