The Ultimate Guide to Soft Washing – Everything You Need to Know

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Cleaning a property is not only suitable for its appearance but also helps to protect it from damage. Soft washing is a low-pressure cleaning method that uses specialized solutions to remove contaminants like mold, mildew, and algae.

Soft washing is especially beneficial for delicate surfaces like shingles, painted exteriors, and wood decking. It’s also more cost-effective than regular pressure washing and provides longer-lasting results.

Safety

Soft washing uses far less pressure than pressure washers. It can be a much safer exterior house cleaning method for fragile surfaces like glass, untreated wood, and tile, as it’s unlikely to damage them. It’s also more environmentally friendly and uses biodegradable chemicals. It’s a slower process than pressure washing, and ensuring you have enough time for the job, especially when dealing with delicate materials, is essential.

Soft washing is safe for plants if done by a professional with experience. The low-pressure water flow prevents the risk of plants being uprooted or damaged. It’s also a great way to protect your home against mold, mildew, algae growth, and moss. This can help reduce symptoms for some people with allergies to these microbial problems. It can even improve the overall air quality in your home.

Chemicals

Soft washing involves using chemicals that sit on a surface and work to break down and remove grime, dirt, mold, etc. A typical soft wash solution comprises a cleaning product (usually sodium hypochlorite) and a surfactant or conditioner to allow the chemical to penetrate deeper into the grime.

Bleach can also be added to the cleaning solution to kill microbial growth and help remove mold, mildew, or moss. Soft washing solutions also usually contain fungicidal treatments to keep these organisms from returning and prevent regrowth.

It is important to note that working with chemicals and properly using pressure washer equipment requires skill and experience. Professional cleaners know how to dilute their chemicals to ensure their safety and effectiveness properly. They will also be well-equipped to catch any runoff and avoid damage caused by accidental spills or overspray.

Equipment

A soft wash system provides a low-pressure spray of water and cleaning chemicals. The system usually consists of a pump that draws water from a source, tanks for holding the pressurized water, and a sprayer to dispense the solution.

The soft washing system delivers the appropriate concentration of cleaning chemicals to remove contaminants. The solutions can be fungicidal to kill mildew, algae, and moss. They also leave a surfactant that helps the water rinse away more quickly.

As a result, the surfaces stay cleaner longer, and there is less need for repeated cleaning. However, if certain trouble spots are not dislodged with the soft washing process, you may need to switch to pressure washing to complete the job. Before you do this, cover any tender bushes and flowers with large paper or plastic sheets. This will prevent the chlorine from reaching them and damaging them. Then, rinse the surface thoroughly and allow it to dry before you touch or move any of the plants.

Maintenance

Soft washing is essential in preventing the damage caused by algae, mildew, and moss. It also helps preserve your home’s structural integrity and boosts curb appeal.

Unlike power and pressure washing, which can damage surfaces, soft washing cleans your house without needing high-pressure water. Instead of blasting away dirt and grime, a chemical solution is sprayed onto the exterior and then rinsed off. 

In addition to cleaning surfaces, soft washing contains bleach that kills mold and mildew spores at a molecular level. It also kills the moss, algae, and fungi roots, which prevent them from growing back. As a precaution, it is crucial to pre-soak and cover any plants before soft washing. After soft washing, it would help to use a plant wash neutralizing agent to ensure lingering chlorine doesn’t harm your yard or flowers.