What Is Soft Washing Vs. Pressure Washing?
Cleaning exterior surfaces is a surprisingly complex topic. There are many different techniques you can learn, and there is a vast amount of equipment you’ll need to perform these processes, too. Let’s start with a simple question first and foremost. What is soft washing vs. pressure washing? These are probably the two most commonly discussed techniques for exterior cleaning, but what sets them apart, and what jobs are each of these options suited for?
Discover the answers to these questions—and more—with Redline Exterior Cleaners. We are a locally owned Vineland, NJ business that specializes in both pressure washing and soft washing. We’ll explain what sets them apart so you can make the best choice for your project.
What Is Pressure Washing?
Pressure washing is an exterior cleaning technique that revolves around the use of pressurized water. This water is powerful—so powerful, in fact, that it can remove many forms of unwanted debris with ease. This includes dirt, moss, mold, algae, pollen, and much, much more! Property owners all over the world use pressure washing to clean their properties. It’s a great option for asphalt driveways, concrete patios, wooden decks, etc.
The amount of water pressure used during pressure washing depends on the material being cleaned. Different substances have different limits. We’ve included a few examples below for your convenience:
- Wood (deck or fence): 500–1,200 PSI
- Aluminum siding: 1,200–2,000 PSI
- Brick or masonry: 1,500–2,500 PSI
- Concrete (driveway/patio): 2,500–3,000 PSI
What Is Soft Washing?
While pressure washing is a great choice for many projects, some materials are too delicate for this technique. When this happens, soft washing is the perfect Plan B. This is because soft washing uses very low water pressure to ensure safe results for even the most fragile materials. The preferred range for soft washing is between 150 and 500 PSI.
What projects are best suited for soft washing? At Redline Exterior Cleaners, we use soft washing every week, especially during the following projects:
- House Washing. In many cases, home exteriors are too delicate to be pressure washed. We soft wash houses to ensure safe, stunning results.
- Roof Cleaning. Roofs are particularly delicate, and pressure washing can create leaks. Our soft washing technique avoids this risk entirely.
- Other Delicate Materials. It’s also important to soft wash materials such as vinyl, softwood, and plastic whenever applicable.
Using Cleaning Solutions During Soft Washing
What is soft washing vs. pressure washing in terms of effectiveness? If soft washing uses less water pressure than pressure washing, doesn’t that mean it will struggle to remove stubborn debris? Technically, yes, but there are ways to mitigate this weakness. For example, at Redine Exterior Cleaners, we use cleaning solutions to ensure that soft washing projects result in sparkling clean surfaces that our clients love.
Our cleaning solution of choice is sodium hypochlorite. It allows us to break down virtually all debris, including organic debris (e.g., moss, mold, and algae). Best of all, it doesn’t cause any damage to properties or the environment. That’s right—it naturally decomposes in the days following a project, making it an eco-friendly choice.
How Pressure Washing and Soft Washing Work Together
In some cases, you’ll need to use both pressure washing and soft washing during the same project. For example, if you are cleaning a concrete patio that is directly next to your home’ vinyl exterior, you will need to adjust the amount of water pressure you use as you go. A dual-method strategy is the key to conquering projects that involve multiple different surfaces. So stay attentive to what you are cleaning and change your pressure washer’s settings accordingly. Knowing when and where to apply each method ensures the property stays in excellent condition for years to come.
Benefits of Choosing the Correct Method
It’s not always easy to choose between pressure washing and soft washing, but by considering your project’s details carefully, you’ll be able to make the right decision. You’ll enjoy many benefits as a result! Pressure washing and soft washing have helpful benefits for residential and commercial properties, including the following:
- Improved Curb Appeal. As common sense would dictate, the cleaner your property’s exterior surfaces are, the more appealing they will be to guests. This makes for more comfortable homes and successful places of business.
- Reduced Chance of Surface Damage. By removing unwanted debris from exterior surfaces, you’ll mitigate the risk of surface damage. This means that you’ll avoid expensive repairs in the long run.
- More Hygienic Properties. By washing away moss, mold, algae, and pollen, you’ll eliminate sources of microscopic particles that irritate your throat, eyes, lungs, and skin. Enjoy a healthier, more hygienic home or business!
DIY or Professional Exterior Cleaning?
What is soft washing vs. pressure washing? Choosing between these two techniques is a challenge. However, there’s another choice you’ll have to make, and that’s whether you want to do the work on your own or not. If you do your own pressure washing/soft washing, you’ll avoid paying a professional team to complete the work for you. This could entail hundreds of dollars of savings. At the same time, doing your own exterior cleaning is tough. It demands your time and energy, and in many cases, you’ll need to purchase pressure washing equipment, too.
If your schedule is filled with responsibilities and you don’t have time to do your own work, professional pressure washing is a safe bet. With this service, you won’t have to do any physical labor on your own. Instead, you can sit back and relax while a team of experts does it for you. If you schedule an appointment with Redline Exterior Cleaners, you can even leave the property while we clean it. We only ask that you pay a service fee. Your price will be based on the size of the project. There are no hidden surcharges. Contact us online if you want to get started!