Eco-Friendly Exterior Cleaning: What It Really Means

The exterior cleaning industry has a complicated relationship with the word "eco-friendly." Some companies use it to mean "we don't use toxic chemicals." Others use it to mean "we recycle our water." And some use it as marketing with very little behind it. Here's what responsible environmental practice actually looks like in professional exterior cleaning — and what we do at D&D Home Services.

What "Eco-Friendly" Really Means in Exterior Cleaning

In the context of exterior cleaning, environmental responsibility encompasses four distinct areas:

1. Chemical selection: Using cleaning agents with low environmental toxicity and high biodegradability
2. Runoff management: Preventing contaminated runoff from entering storm drains and waterways
3. Water conservation: Minimizing water usage where possible
4. Landscape protection: Preventing damage to plants, soil organisms, and surrounding vegetation

A company can meet three of these criteria and fail on the fourth. Genuine environmental responsibility means addressing all four.

Professional soft washing uses low volumes of properly diluted biodegradable solutions.

The Chemistry: What's Actually in Soft Wash Solutions

The primary active ingredient in professional soft washing is sodium hypochlorite (diluted bleach) — the same compound used in municipal water treatment. At the concentrations used in soft washing (typically 1–3% for residential applications), it breaks down rapidly into salt and water through photodegradation and dilution.

Surfactants are added to help the solution cling to surfaces and penetrate organic growth. Professional surfactants used by responsible contractors are:

• Biodegradable within 28 days (OECD 301B standard)
• Non-persistent in soil and groundwater
• Non-bioaccumulative (don't build up in organisms)
• Low aquatic toxicity ratings

The combination of low-concentration sodium hypochlorite and biodegradable surfactants — properly rinsed — has a minimal environmental footprint when handled correctly.

"We mix on-site to precise concentrations for each surface type. More product doesn't mean better results — proper dilution is both safer and more effective."

— D&D Home Services Technical Team

Biodegradability & Water Safety

The main environmental concern with exterior cleaning chemicals is their potential to enter storm drains, which in most municipalities drain directly to local waterways without treatment. Here's what responsible contractors do to prevent this:

• Apply solutions at minimum effective concentration — no more than necessary
• Rinse thoroughly to dilute any remaining solution before it reaches storm drains
• Avoid washing on hard rain days when runoff is highest
• Use containment berms or plugs around storm drains when working in driveways or parking areas
• Choose surfactants with aquatic safety certification where possible

Water Usage & Conservation

Soft washing uses significantly less water than traditional pressure washing for equivalent cleaning results:

• Soft washing: approximately 150–250 litres per 1,000 sq ft of siding
• High-pressure washing: 400–800 litres per 1,000 sq ft

The difference comes from the chemistry doing the work rather than mechanical force. Lower pressure means less water volume required to achieve the same result — a genuine environmental benefit, not just a marketing claim.

Protecting Your Landscaping

Responsible exterior cleaners protect your landscaping through a pre-washing and post-washing process:

• Pre-wet: Thoroughly saturating all plants and soil within the work area before applying any cleaning solution — dilutes any overspray on contact
• Direct application: Targeting surfaces rather than broadcasting solution over wide areas
• Post-rinse: Thoroughly flushing all plant material and soil after work is complete
• Timing: Avoiding application on extremely hot days when evaporation concentrates chemicals on plant surfaces

With these precautions, professionally applied soft wash solutions have a negligible impact on healthy, established landscaping.

What to Ask Your Exterior Cleaning Contractor

Before hiring, these questions will help you assess environmental responsibility:

• "What surfactants do you use and can you show me the safety data sheet (SDS)?"
• "What concentration of sodium hypochlorite do you use on residential siding?"
• "How do you protect my landscaping during application?"
• "What steps do you take to prevent runoff from entering storm drains?"
• "Do you pre-wet plants before starting?"

Any reputable contractor should answer all of these confidently and without hesitation.

D&D's Environmental Commitment

D&D Home Services Team Exterior Cleaning Experts

D&D Home Services is Kitchener-Waterloo's trusted exterior cleaning company. We've served hundreds of homeowners across Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, and Guelph with professional, insured exterior services.