Soft Washing vs. Pressure Washing

It is amazing how dirty the outside of your house can get over a year. Some of the most common stains include dirt or mud splatter, algae, mold and mildew. These things will give any house an unkempt, messy appearance, even though you invest time and care into it.

Some of these materials, like dirt or mud, don’t do much harm, but algae and mold can be damaging to both your health and your house. These contaminants create allergens and bacteria that can impact your family, and some, like algae, can grow directly underneath vinyl or roofing and enter your house.

As a professional power washing company in Kirkland, we recommend that you have your home’s exterior cleaned once a year. Spring is the most common time of the year to do an intense home cleaning, but you can really do it any time throughout the year as long as the weather allows.

WHAT NEEDS PRESSURE WASHING?

All of the following surfaces need to be cleaned from time to time:

• Vinyl siding
• Rock and stone
• Brick
• Concrete and asphalt

Power washing used to be the only method to properly clean vinyl, brick and painted surfaces. Now in 2021, homeowners in Kirkland have a second option for exterior house cleaning: soft washing.

Like the names imply, one method is a lot gentler than the other one, but there’s more to it than that. Let’s look at the features of each to help you determine which is the right choice for your house.

WHAT IS SOFT WASHING?

The soft wash system uses less power than a typical pressure washer, hence the name. The maximum water pressure in a soft washing system is 500 PSI. This lower spray is produced from a nozzle with a wider spray option, only slightly more powerful than a standard backyard garden hose.

Soft washing uses detergent, bleach and water in combination to remove organic matter and debris from your home, roof and other surfaces. The cleaning solution used in a soft washing system can also include algaecides and residual inhibitors which will prevent further growth of these types of organisms in the future.

Because chemicals, not pressure, are key to cleaning the surfaces, no powerful water pressure is necessary. This means that soft washing should be used for delicate surfaces that could otherwise be damaged by more powerful pressure washing equipment.

The soft wash chemicals are sometimes rinsed off, but not always. This just depends on the type of chemicals are used in the process, if there is plant or animal life that might be impacted by the runoff, and if the chemicals are strong enough to harm surfaces over time.

Soft washing provides the distinct advantage of getting into small cracks to eliminate unseen organisms, meaning that its impact can last a lot longer than power washing.

WHAT IS PRESSURE WASHING?

Pressure washing has always been the gold standard for cleaning exterior surfaces. It is highly effective and quick, which is why many home and business owners still prefer it over soft washing.

This particular cleaning system uses water only, there are no chemicals, to clean off stains and organisms from exterior surfaces. The use of plain water is a big plus to property owners that don’t want to use cleaning chemicals, whether for the environment’s sake or to avoid zoning violations.

It can be used on a lot of different materials. Home and business owners often prefer power washing for cleaning their driveway, patio, decks, walkways and outdoor furniture because it is quick, efficient and cost-effective.

Pressure washing needs somewhere from 1300 to 3100 PSI water pressure with water being sprayed out from a small nozzle for maximum power. Both organic and inorganic stains are sprayed from your home’s surface, prohibiting their growth and renewing the curb appeal of your house.

One drawback to power washing is that the water is sometimes too powerful and lead to damaging the surfaces of your home you’re attempting to clean. Pressure washing is strong enough to put grooves into wood and plastic, and it can push into cracks, breaking off chunks of brick or stone.

IS PRESSURE WASHING OR SOFT WASHING BETTER?

The ultimate question for homeowners is, “Which one should I choose?”

Both soft washing and pressure washing are good for your home’s exterior, including sidewalks, driveways and more. Both of these cleaning systems can be done by a professional company – and honestly, are more effectively done when left to the experts.

Soft washing is great for outdoor play sets, gardening equipment, roof shingles, decks, gutters, patios and painted surfaces because it is less likely to harm plastic and wood. It’s also a safe and smart choice for vinyl siding.

It eliminates organisms currently present on the surface, and it stops future growth for a lot longer than power washing can.

A problem with soft washing is that it can kill plants underneath the surface that you’re cleaning. Remember to spray them with water right before spraying the soft wash solution on your house or roof, and it shouldn’t be a problem.

Pressure washing is considered the preferred method for severe stains, and harder surfaces like asphalt, stone and brick. Pressure washing is the recommended process for commercial properties. A professional pressure washing company in Kirkland might use a combination of detergents and water pressure to get rid of tough stains, but they should tell you if they will be using chemicals during your consultation.

It can be used for siding as well (and has been for several years) as long as it is done carefully. Powerful water pressure can damage fragile or smaller pieces of vinyl. A local service that does power washing often are going to know how to protect fragile areas, but a first-timer can do a lot of harm.

Your home’s roof is definitely off limits for power washing if there are slate, tile or asphalt shingles. The pressure of the water could ruin these materials and require you to replace your home’s roof much faster than expected.

Choosing between soft washing or power washing is best left for a pressure washing company. Which process is right for your house? Give Kirkland Pressure Washing a call at 425-264-8485 and we’ll send an experienced technician over to take a look!