Soft Washing vs. Pressure Washing

It is amazing how dirty the siding, wood or brick of your home can get throughout the course of a year. Some of the most common stains include mud or dirt, algae, mold and mildew. These types of stains will give any home an unkempt, messy look, regardless of whether you invest time and maintenance into it.

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

As a professional power washing company in Wichita, we recommend that you have your home’s exterior cleaned once a year. The spring season is typically the most popular time 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 home surfaces need to be power washed 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 siding, brick and painted home surfaces. Now in 2021, homeowners in Wichita have a second option for exterior home cleaning: soft washing.

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

WHAT IS SOFT WASHING?

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

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

Because chemicals, not water pressure, are responsible for cleaning the surfaces, no powerful water is necessary. This means that soft washing can be used for delicate surfaces that could otherwise be harmed by harsher pressure washing.

The soft wash chemicals are sometimes cleaned off, but not always. This just depends on the type of chemicals are used, if there’s plant or animal life that could be affected by the runoff, and if the chemicals are strong enough to harm surfaces over time.

Soft washing provides the advantage of getting into cracks and crevices to kill unseen organisms, meaning that its effects can last much longer than standard power washing.

WHAT IS PRESSURE WASHING?

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

This cleaning process uses water only, there are no chemicals, to eliminate stains and mildew from home exterior surfaces. The use of plain water is a major plus to home and business owners who 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 prefer power washing for cleaning their driveway, patio, decks, sidewalks and patio furniture because it is quick, efficient and affordable.

Pressure washing uses anywhere from 1300 to 3100 PSI water pressure with water being sprayed out from a small nozzle for the most power. Both organic and inorganic materials are blasted from your home’s surface, preventing their growth and renewing the curb appeal of your home.

One negative about power washing is that the water is sometimes too powerful and can damage the surfaces of your home you’re attempting to clean. Pressure washing is strong enough to cut deep grooves in wood and plastic, and it can push into cracks, breaking off pieces of stone or brick.

IS PRESSURE WASHING OR SOFT WASHING BETTER?

The obvious question for most homeowners is, “Is pressure washing or soft washing better?”

Both soft washing and pressure washing methods 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 correctly done when left to the experts.

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

It eliminates organisms that are present on the surface, and it prevents future growth for much longer than power washing can.

A problem with soft washing is that it can kill plant life under the surface that you’re cleaning. Remember to spray them with water before putting the soft wash solution on your home or roof, and it won’t be an issue.

Pressure washing is the recommended method for severe stains, and harder surfaces like asphalt, stone and brick. Pressure washing is the preferred method for commercial properties. A local pressure washing company in Wichita may use a mixture of chemicals and water pressure to get rid of tough stains, but they should let you know if they are going to be spraying chemicals after your estimate.

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

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

Choosing between pressure washing or soft washing is best left for a pressure washing company. Which method is right for your home? Give Wichita Pressure Washing a call at 316-365-8535 and we will send an experienced technician over to take a look!