As a home or business owner, keeping the exterior of your property clean is an important part of maintenance. You may have heard about soft washing as an alternative to pressure washing in CT for cleaning the outside surfaces of buildings and homes. But what exactly is soft washing and why is it gaining popularity over other washing methods? This blog post will dive into the frequently asked questions about soft washing so you can decide if it’s the best exterior cleaning solution for your needs.
What is Soft Washing?
Soft washing utilizes cleaning solutions and low-pressure water to remove dirt, mold, mildew, and other contaminants from exterior surfaces. The soft wash solutions are detergents and chemicals specifically designed to cling to dirt and grime so they can be rinsed off without damaging the surface underneath.
A soft wash system uses up to 500 PSI of water pressure compared to a pressure washer’s 2000-3000 PSI. The lower pressure water allows soft washing to safely clean delicate exterior materials like wood, brick, and vinyl siding that would be damaged by high-pressure blasting.
Why is Soft Washing Better Than Pressure Washing?
There are several key reasons why soft washing is a better choice to pressure washing for cleaning the outside of homes and buildings:
- More Gentle on Surfaces – High PSI pressure can erode mortar between bricks, damage wood causing splintering and cracks, and drive dirt deeper into exterior materials. Soft washing avoids that surface damage.
- Deeper, More Thorough Clean – The detergents used in soft washing cling to and break down grime for a more complete clean instead of just blasting it off.
- Safer for Homes – The low-pressure water and chemicals are designed specifically for home exteriors, making soft washing safer.
- Environmentally Friendly – Soft washing uses less water than pressure washing. The detergents are also safer and gentler on the environment.
- Cost Effective Long-Term – Though the initial investment in a soft wash system is higher, it pays off by preserving your exterior surfaces longer term.
What Types of Surfaces Can You Soft Wash?
Soft washing is safe, effective, and gentle enough for use on:
- Vinyl Siding: Removes mold, mildew, and dirt without damaging or eroding the siding.
- Wood Siding: Lifts away built-up grime without splintering or cracking wood.
- Brick and Stone: Cleans thoroughly while leaving mortar intact and undamaged.
- Roofs: Asphalt and wood shingles come clean without risk of water damage from high pressure.
- Concrete and Asphalt: Brightens and removes stains without surface erosion.
- Painted Surfaces: Removes chalking paint and heavy dirt buildup.
Essentially, nearly any exterior surface can be soft washed. It’s the ideal cleaning method for more delicate materials that would be damaged by pressure washing. Always do a small test spot first.
How Often Should You Soft Wash?
For homes, plan to soft wash vinyl siding, painted surfaces, and wood exteriors about every 1 to 2 years. Brick, stone, and stucco may only need soft washing every 3 to 5 years unless heavy moss or mold growth occurs. Roofs should be soft washed annually to remove moss and debris. In warmer, humid climates, you may need to wash exterior surfaces as often as each year.
For commercial buildings, an annual soft wash maintenance plan is recommended to prevent heavy grime buildup and maintain great curb appeal. For high traffic businesses, soft washing problem areas every 3 to 6 months helps keep storefronts looking pristine.
Soft Wash Maintenance
Like any cleaning method, soft washing works best for maintenance cleaning when done regularly. Don’t allow exterior surfaces to get extremely neglected before finally soft washing. Keep to a schedule of washing 1 to 2 times per year to make the process quick and prevent serious buildup.
Consider an ongoing soft wash maintenance plan for your home or business. Reputable soft washing companies can customize a schedule for fully cleaning all exterior surfaces on the ideal frequency.
Soft washing gives you that deep, spotless clean for home and building exteriors without risk of surface damage from pressure washing. It’s the safest, most effective way to keep mold, mildew, and heavy grime from taking over the outside of your property. For exterior surfaces that stay looking like-new each year, soft washing is a smart maintenance investment.
