How to Choose the Right Washing Method for Your Home?

You might wonder how you should wash your house. There are two primary methods for cleaning exterior surfaces, but they differ significantly in scope. The first approach is soft washing, and another is pressure washing.

Although both fall under the “power washing” category, you must understand the difference between them and when to use each

For instance, if you use high pressure to eliminate surface contaminants, you might damage the surface’s structure. On the contrary, if the correct detergents are not used, a soft wash may not thoroughly clean the surface

When it comes to soft washing vs. pressure washing, the scenarios for which each lends itself can be vastly different. The goal of soft washing services is to help you understand which process suits the cleaning task

What is Pressure Washing?

Water under pressure (PSI) allows you to clean surfaces that have ingrained or embedded contaminants. It is typically the best method for removing loose paint or stains before painting or staining. Incorrect use of high pressure for siding or decking can cause significant damage.

When it comes to preparing aluminum siding for painting, high pressure is an ideal method. However, you should avoid using it if you won’t be painting afterward. In this case, you risk stripping the siding of its finish.

Use caution when pressure washing concrete over three years old. Lastly, high pressure is not recommended to be used on shingles because it can cause damage to the coating, which could invalidate the warranty.

It is best to use high-pressure washing to:

• Remove loose paint from wood or aluminum siding
• Prepare wooden or aluminum siding for painting
• Prepare decks for staining (removing old stain and paint)
• Wash concrete over three years old.

What is Soft Washing?

Soft washing is the most effective and safest method to remove surface contaminants like mold, algae, mildew, and dirt. When performing a gentle wash, a safe pressure is used along with special cleaners.

The amount of cleaner and water in soft-washing is generally higher, but the pressure is lower. Soft wash concrete that is less than three years old, so its structural integrity isn’t compromised. On roofs, soft washing is better than a basic gentle wash.

A standard soft wash uses a diluted form of cleaner. It is recommended for regular cleaning of a house, deck, roof, or newer concrete.

Which Option is Right for Your Home?

What is better for your home - a soft wash or a pressure wash? The answer depends on what you want cleaning.

In general, a pressure wash works best on hard surfaces such as concrete, brick, and stone. Using this method, you can get rid of dirt, grease, oil, and algae away from brick siding, stone pavers, and driveways.

In contrast, soft washing is the best method for less durable cleaning surfaces, such as wood, clay, and vinyl. You can use it to clean your roof, dock, or more delicate clay and stucco pavers. It also works well for cleaning porch and patio screens.

Let your soft washing service know if you need hard and soft surfaces cleaned on your home’s exterior so they can come prepared with the methods that are most appropriate for each surface.