What Is Soft Washing?
When your property’s exterior becomes dirty, you’ll find yourself in a frustrating predicament. One way or another, you’ll have to clean those surfaces because if you don’t, there can be serious consequences. The question is, what’s the best technique for the work? Should you pressure wash or soft wash surfaces? And what is soft washing anyway? We’ll answer these questions—and many others—in this blog.
At Brite Exterior Solutions, cleaning exterior surfaces is our specialty. We understand the pressure washing and soft washing processes, and we will teach you what we know below. We also invite you to schedule an appointment with us if you need professional assistance!
Why Exterior Cleaning Is Necessary
Before we explain the difference between pressure and soft washing, it’s important to understand why exterior cleaning is necessary at all. Over time, your property’s exterior will accumulate debris. This debris—which includes substances such as dirt, moss, mold, algae, and pollen—will have a negative impact on your property’s overall appearance. If your house loses its beauty, you won’t feel as welcome whenever you are home. Additionally, less appealing businesses are less likely to draw in customers.
Another important reason for exterior cleaning is that it prevents surface damage. If debris is left to accumulate on property exteriors, it will gradually wear them down. This is because particles of debris grind against surfaces and erode them. The longer this is allowed to happen, the more obvious this damage will become. We recommend annual pressure washing/soft washing to prevent this from happening.
Pressure Washing Versus Soft Washing
So, what is pressure washing, and what is soft washing? Pressure washing is a specialized technique that uses high-pressure water to restore exterior surfaces. High-pressure water is powerful and allows stubborn debris to be easily washed away. We highly recommend pressure washing when you need to clean durable materials, such as hardwood, asphalt, and concrete.
Soft washing is similar to pressure washing, but with one key difference. Soft washing uses significantly less water pressure than pressure washing. Pressure washing uses as much as 3,500 PSI; on the other hand, soft washing typically stays within the range of 150 to 500 PSI. This makes soft washing the superior choice for easily damaged surfaces, such as softwood and vinyl.
Soft Washing and Cleaning Solutions
Soft washing is essential for cleaning delicate surfaces without causing damage. However, soft washing is inherently less powerful than pressure washing. Does that make it less effective at removing debris? Technically, yes—but that’s why soft washing makes heavy use of cleaning solutions. These helpful substances break down stubborn debris so it can be more easily removed. That way, even low-pressure water is enough to make surfaces clean.
There are a variety of cleaning solutions available for use during soft washing. At Brite Exterior Solutions, we rely on sodium hypochlorite. This substance rapidly weakens grime, allowing for its easy removal. Sodium hypochlorite won’t harm surfaces, nor will it harm the environment. It decomposes naturally and doesn’t cause any pollution.
Surfaces That Should Be Soft Washed
As stated above, some surfaces will be damaged by pressure washing. So, which ones should you avoid pressure washing? Which projects demand the soft washing process? There are many examples, but we have listed the most common ones below for your convenience.
- Roofing Materials. Many roofing materials, such as asphalt shingles and clay tiles, will be slightly lifted by pressure washing, forcing moisture underneath the structure. To avoid roof leaks and other damage, soft washing is key.
- Stucco. Stucco is a porous, soft material. Pressure washing will drive water into stucco and could potentially even punch holes into it. For safe, stunning results, always soft wash stucco surfaces (e.g., stucco home exteriors).
- Softwood. Softer woods, such as cedar and pine, easily splinter when washed with high-pressure water. To prevent this from happening, rely on soft washing. This ensures safe results for decks, porches, home exteriors, etc.
- Painted Surfaces. Did you know that painted surfaces can be stripped clean by pressure washing? Don’t let the color peel off your property’s exterior because of a pressure washing accident. Stick to soft washing and preserve your paint!
DIY Soft Washing
If you need to soft wash your property’s exterior, you could always try doing this work on your own! You’ll just need to gather the correct equipment. A pressure washer is essential; this device includes an adjustable dial that lets you turn down the water pressure to a suitable level. Don’t forget a cleaning solution, like sodium hypochlorite, and protective equipment. You will want to wear goggles, gloves, full-length pants, and closed-toe shoes while soft washing to minimize the risk of self-injury.
After you’ve made all the necessary preparations, the soft washing process may begin. First, you’ll want to verify that your pressure washer is set to the correct level of water pressure. (This varies depending on the surface you are cleaning; we recommend searching for the specific material online.) Next, apply your cleaning solution of choice to the surface. This can be done using your pressure washer’s detergent tank or with a spray bottle. Finally, wait fifteen minutes before thoroughly rinsing the surface, leaving it debris-free and as good as new again!
Consider Professional Soft Washing
“What is soft washing?” At this point, you’ve discovered the answer to this question. You’ve learned about pressure and soft washing, and you’ve reviewed the steps that go into this work. If you have made it this far and decided you’re not cut out for do-it-yourself soft washing, what should you do? Look no further than Brite Exterior Solutions for the professional services you need.
We are a locally owned and operated business, and it is always our pleasure to serve the Richmond, VA community. Contact us online and let us know about the surfaces you need us to clean! That way, we can determine if pressure washing or soft washing is the best strategy, as well as provide you with a free cost estimate.
