Power washing (aka pressure washing) is the most well known and widely used process when it comes to water-based cleaning. The process of power washing consists of highly pressurized water being used to blast away dust, dirt, grime, and other contaminants clinging to an outdoor surface.
The water pressure used in the power washing process varies depending on the job or the equipment used. Improper water pressure levels or equipment can lead to surfaces being damaged. Siding, finishes, paint, and other surfaces on your home can be damaged by power washing that is too strong.
And while the power washing process is extremely effective on a surface level, it leaves a lot to be desired when it comes to actual cleaning. Power washing doesn’t get rid of potential harmful bacteria and doesn’t root out mold, mildew, and other unwanted growths.
So, how do you improve the power washing process? By lowering the water pressure a bit and adding safe chemicals that kill harmful bacteria and remove mold, mildew, and other contaminants. This method has become known as soft washing.
Soft Washing Basics
Soft washing was developed to clean areas power washing just couldn’t keep clean. The first place soft washing was regularly used on was roofs. Specialty or loose shingles can accumulate unwanted growths (mold, algae, etc), which can cause damage without proper treatment. The process is now used for many different surfaces where standard power washing just isn’t enough.
Surfaces susceptible to dirt accumulation and growth (brick & stone surfaces) sometimes need to be power washed several times a season! The soft washing process uses safe chemical cleaning solutions to make sure unwanted growths like mold and mildew don’t come back.
Soft washing is also used to treat delicate surfaces that may be damaged from too much water pressure. While a standard power washing may be fine for most of a given home, specific delicate areas can be handled by soft washing to avoid damage.
When to Power Wash & When to Soft Wash
The following two lists contain cleaning jobs that should be considered for power washing or soft washing, respectively. Remember to get a quote from a professional before making your choice–sometimes small differences can turn into big issues!
Common Power Washing Jobs
- Most exterior building surfaces
- Concrete sidewalks & driveways
- Some large window cleaning
- Large-slab concrete patios
Common Soft Wash Jobs
- Most roofs
- Brick & stone surfaces
- Wood decks & fences
- Brittle surfaces
- Deck or patio overhangs
- Front or back porches
Please note that this list is not comprehensive and some jobs, depending on a home or building, may require a different service than others.
Exterior Cleaning by Looking Glass Cleaning
Bring your home back to life with our professional exterior cleaning services. Our soft washing services are guaranteed to make your home sparkle all season long. Contact us today and speak to a team member about our exterior soft wash services.
At Looking Glass Cleaning we seek to form long-lasting and mutually beneficial relationships with all of our clients. We want you to know that we care–a fact that is evident in the amazing results of every service we provide! You will always know that you can trust Looking Glass Cleaning with all your present and future property cleaning needs.