What Is the Difference Between Power Washing and Soft Washing?

You probably are aware of the importance of cleaning the exterior of your home on a regular basis and have familiarized yourself with some of the benefits of pressure washing such as maximizing curb appeal, mold prevention, etc. But now you’re hearing about another option called soft washing. Is that the same thing as pressure washing? Do you need to do both? Are there any benefits to soft washing vs. pressure washing? So many questions…but don’t worry- we are professionals and we have the answers!

Keep reading to find out all about soft washing and why more people are using it as an alternative to pressure washing (which is also sometimes referred to as power washing, although technically there are some minor differences between the two).

What is Soft Washing?

Soft washing is a cleaning method that uses special nozzles on the end of a pressure washing wand to reduce the water pressure from several thousand psi down to something closer to that of a typical garden hose.

The reason the pressure can be reduced is that, unlike pressure washing, with soft washing, the water isn’t what actually cleans the surface of your house.

Instead, the cleaning is done by a biodegradable cleaning chemical that kills biological elements in your house. It also removes pollen, dirt, and stains, and it does it all without damaging the surface.

In the soft washing process, after the cleaning solution is applied to your home, it will be left to sit for several minutes so that it has a chance to be absorbed into the pores and cracks of your siding and break down the dirt and other materials it encounters. It is then rinsed off using low-pressure water.

What Is the Difference Between Power Washing and Soft Washing?

Pressure washing uses the force of high-pressure water (up to 4,000 psi in some cases) to blast surfaces clean of dirt, mold, and other contaminants.

It is very similar to power washing, and in fact, the terms are sometimes used interchangeably. However, technically power washing uses heated water while pressure washing uses unheated water.

The key difference between both of these methods (pressure and power washing) vs. soft washing is what is actually cleaning the surface. With soft washing, the environmentally safe chemicals are cleaning the surface, and with the other methods, it is water pressure that cleans the surface.

Do I Need to Use Both Pressure Washing and Soft Washing?

In most cases, you only need to use soft washing or pressure washing, not both.

Pressure washing should only be done on strong, durable surfaces like fences, decks, sidewalks, pathways, driveways, and patios. Soft washing, by itself, might not work well on these surfaces, but it will usually work just fine on the sides and roof of your home.

Soft washing requires the right chemicals and then a pressure washing machine with the appropriate nozzle extension.

Save yourself the hassle, and just call a professional to clean the exterior of your home. If you happen to live in Westchester or Fairfield counties –we’re the #1 rated contractor in the area, and right now is a great time to schedule your wash before the cooler fall weather hits.