Pressure Washing & Soft Washing: You likely have heard the terms pressure washing and soft washing before, and you may assume that they are basically the same thing. But they do have some key differences which we will discuss here.

If your home’s exterior has been looking dull and dirty, it’s time to get your home pressure washed or soft washed to restore its luster, protect your materials, and remove mold, mildew, fungus, dirt and grime. But the method that is used will depend on the surfaces being washed. If you’re not sure, your pressure washing technician can advise you. Here at Clearview Washing, we offer both pressure washing and soft washing, and can let you know which method is best for which surface.

The Differences

The one thing that pressure washing and soft washing have in common is that they are both effective ways to wash your home’s exterior. But the way they achieve that deep clean is quite different.

  • Pressure washing utilizes highly pressurized water to remove dirt and grime from surfaces forcefully. It’s effective and gets all layers of dirt off, but it can come with some risk of damage to your property. It’s not ideal for sensitive materials such as asphalt shingles, for instance.
  • Soft washing doesn’t use high pressurization; rather it applies a safe solution to your surface. That solution is allowed to sit and break up the organic materials, then it’s washed away gently.

The one you choose will depend heavily on which part of your property needs to be cleaned. In some cases, you will need both services applied to different areas of your property.

Pressure Washing: When to Use

A wand is used in pressure washing that projects water at 2,500 PSI (pounds per square inch) or more. This high pressure is great at removing stuck-on stains, but can damage softer surfaces and shingles, remove paint from wood, destroy window screens, and dent siding.

Pressure washing is best for:

  • Concrete sidewalks
  • Walkways
  • Driveways
  • Paved patios
  • Stone, brick, and other durable surfaces

Soft Washing: When to Use

Soft washing uses a PSI of about half that used in pressure washing. Instead of using high pressure to clean your exteriors, it uses formulated detergents and longer “dwell times” to achieve a deep clean.

Soft washing is best for:

  • Cedar shake
  • Wood panel siding
  • Stucco
  • Screens, screened enclosures, lanais

It’s important to have a professional perform pressure washing and soft washing. They know just the right amount of pressure and dwell times to ensure the perfect job. If you do it yourself, you could risk doing some serious property damage, such as getting water underneath your shingles which can lead to leaks.

Contact Clearview Washing

Still not sure which method is best for your home? Our technicians would be happy to come out and give you a free quote and consultation. We are skilled in both techniques so you can rest assured we will get the job done in any manner deemed appropriate. Contact us today at 732-462-1187.