Soft washing is a low-pressure way to clean the outside of a house: a cleaning mix does the work, and water only carries the residue away. This plain-language guide covers what the mix contains, what a crew does on the day and what soft washing can and cannot fix.
In This Article
The idea in plain words
Pressure washing cleans with force. A narrow, fast jet of water blasts the dirt off. Soft washing turns that around. A cleaning product loosens or kills the algae, mould and mildew, and ordinary low-pressure water rinses the residue away.
That is why it suits materials that dislike force: vinyl, painted wood, stucco, brick and asphalt shingles. On those surfaces the jet is what causes damage. When the cleaner does the cleaning, the water has no need to hit hard.
House washing and soft washing: one visit, two words
The two terms describe different things, which is why they get muddled. House washing is the job you are buying: siding, trim, soffits and other suitable surfaces get cleaned. Soft washing is the method used on most of that job: low pressure and a cleaning mix chosen for the material.
A house wash can still include firmer work where the surface allows it, such as a concrete front step or an interlock walkway. The walls stay in soft-wash territory. If you want the head-to-head, read our comparison of soft washing and pressure washing.
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What is in the mix, and why
Most house-wash mixes have three working parts.
- A cleaning agent. Often a sodium hypochlorite-based product, which kills algae and mould instead of only rinsing them off. Some materials call for gentler oxygen-based or other cleaners.
- A surfactant. A soap-like additive that helps the mix spread and cling to a vertical wall so it does not run straight to the ground.
- Water. Concentrated products are diluted before use. The right strength depends on the product, the surface and how heavy the growth is, so there is no universal recipe. The manufacturer's label rules.
Some materials need extra care. Strong mixes can bleach coloured finishes, dull bare metal such as aluminum trim and leave marks if they dry on the surface, so a careful crew rinses those areas early and thoroughly.
The mix also needs time on the surface, called dwell time. The label sets that window, and a good crew works in sections small enough that nothing dries on the wall before it is rinsed.
A visit from arrival to final rinse
- Walk-around. The crew notes cracks, loose trim, open joints and windows that do not seal well, then sets up plant protection.
- Pre-wet. Plants and the soil beside the wall are soaked with fresh water. Wet foliage dilutes any overspray that lands on it.
- Apply. The mix goes on at low pressure, one section at a time.
- Dwell. The product works for the label's window. Stubborn spots may get a gentle brush.
- Rinse. Top to bottom with plenty of low-pressure water, then the plants are rinsed again.
- Final look. Walls, windows and fixtures are checked in good light before anyone leaves.
Why this method suits Southern Ontario homes
Our summers are warm and humid, our lots are often shaded by mature maples and oaks, and plenty of walls face north with little direct sun. That combination suits algae and mould, which is exactly what soft washing is designed to treat.
Winter gives a second reason to keep force off the wall. Water pushed behind siding or into porous masonry can freeze and expand during a freeze-thaw cycle, which is hard on the materials. Low pressure keeps the water on the outside, where it belongs.
What it fixes and what it leaves behind
Soft washing treats things that grow. It does not repair things that have failed.
Usually helps
- Green algae and dark streaks.
- Mould and mildew films.
- Pollen, dust and general grime.
- Light lichen, though it can need extra dwell time or a second pass.
Will not fix
- Rust or iron stains.
- White mineral salts on brick, called efflorescence.
- Faded, chalky or peeling paint.
- Dents, cracks and rot.
Cleaning also shows what was hiding. Once a heavily coated wall is clear, you may spot worn caulk or thin paint for the first time. That is useful information, not a flaw in the wash.
If you are not sure whether your home needs treatment yet, walk around it with the visual inspection guide. If it does, soft washing from D&D starts at $350 for typical Kitchener-Waterloo homes, with a free quote confirmed in writing before work begins.
Key Takeaways
- Soft washing lets a cleaning mix do the work and uses low-pressure water only to rinse, which protects vinyl, painted wood, stucco, brick and shingles.
- House washing is the job; soft washing is the low-pressure method used for most of it.
- A typical mix has a cleaning agent, a surfactant and water, and its strength and dwell time follow the manufacturer's label.
- It clears algae, mould and mildew but will not fix rust, efflorescence, failing paint or physical damage.
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