Soft Washing vs Pressure Washing: Which Does Your Home Need?

In soft washing vs pressure washing, the surface decides the method. Pressure washing uses high pressure water on hard surfaces like concrete driveways and patios, while soft washing uses low pressure and a cleaning solution on siding, roofs and anything with algae or mildew.

What is the difference between soft washing and pressure washing?

The difference comes down to where the cleaning power comes from. Pressure washing relies on high pressure water to blast dirt, grime, oil stains and buildup off a surface. Soft washing relies on a cleaning solution applied at low pressure, which kills and removes algae, mold, mildew and bacteria.

Homeowners in Rocky River, Westlake, Bay Village and across Cleveland's west side ask us this question all the time. The honest answer is that it depends on what is being cleaned, and using the wrong method on the wrong surface can cause expensive damage.

Think of it this way: pressure is a tool for hard, durable surfaces, and a cleaning solution is the tool for anything soft, painted or growing green. Most homes have both kinds of surfaces, which is why most exterior cleanings use both methods.

Which surfaces should be pressure washed?

Pressure washing is fast and effective on hard surfaces that can take high pressure water without harm. These are the surfaces where it makes sense:

On a driveway or patio, pressure washing lifts the dirt, grime and stains that build up over a few seasons, and the change is easy to see. Wood decks and fences can be cleaned this way too, but the pressure has to be kept in check so the wood is not torn up.

• Concrete driveways and parking areas
• Brick and concrete patios
• Walkways and sidewalks
• Garage floors
• Wooden decks and fences, with care

Which surfaces need a soft wash?

Soft washing is the right choice for anything delicate or anything covered in organic growth. Because the solution does the work, the surface never takes a beating from the water.

Because the solution kills the algae, mold and mildew, the growth is removed instead of just knocked loose. That is the reason soft washing is the method for siding and roofs, where high pressure would do harm.

When we soft wash, we soak the landscaping before we start and rinse it again after we finish.

• Vinyl siding, wood siding and stucco
• Painted surfaces
• Asphalt shingle roofs
• Gutters and any surface with algae or mildew

Why you should never pressure wash siding or a roof

This is the most important part of the soft washing vs pressure washing question. High pressure on siding forces water behind the panels, which can lead to mold growth inside the walls. It can also etch vinyl, strip paint from wood and break the seals around windows and doors.

Roofs are just as vulnerable. Pressure washing asphalt shingles strips the protective granules, can void the manufacturer's warranty and shortens the life of the roof.

The damage is not always visible right away. Water trapped behind siding can sit inside the wall for a long time before anyone notices a problem, and by then the repair is much bigger than the original cleaning would have been.

How Purified Wash uses both methods on Cleveland's west side

We soft wash siding, roofs and delicate surfaces, and we pressure wash driveways, patios and other concrete. Every surface gets assessed before we start so the right method is used each time.

On a typical visit, that might mean a soft wash on the siding, a pressure wash on the driveway and walkway, and window cleaning with purified water, all handled by the same crew in one trip. There is no deposit, and you pay after the job.

We work in Rocky River, Westlake, Bay Village, Avon Lake, North Olmsted, Fairview Park, Lakewood and nearby towns. Bundling a house wash with concrete cleaning on one visit also saves money.

Book a free in-person quote online or text (440) 865-8993, and we will look at your property, give you an exact price and often do the work on the same visit.

Next steps

• House Washing (Soft Wash)