Explanation of Pressure Washing vs. Soft Washing

The terms pressure cleaning or power washing are often times misunderstood by homeowners and the intent of this article is to dispel any myths and hopefully clear things up for those that have questions.

Pressure Cleaning is a process that relies on both pressurized water and various chemicals and detergents to clean. By utilizing pressurized spray of water onto a surface, materials such as dirt, mud, mildew, mold and other contaminants are removed from the exterior of your home. Because pressure cleaning primarily relies on force, it is recommended that these cleaning techniques only be used on hard, exterior surfaces such as patios, sidewalks, fences, decks, and driveways and by trained professionals. These areas sometimes need the extra power to remove the pollutants.

Of course pressure washing can also be used to remove mildew,dirt, algae and many other surface pollutants from your home’s siding. However, specific cleaning solutions are also necessary to properly power wash and surface. Knowing the type of siding you have and the type of contaminant will determine the best cleaning solution for your needs. In the hands of trained a professional, a pressure washer can be used on any surface to effectively clean virtually any surface, from the most delicate to the hardest. A professional pressure cleaning technician knows how to adjust the pressure, the application of detergent and the force at which various surfaces are cleaned to safely and effectively clean your property. The term "Pressure Specific" cleaning was coined by All American Pressure Cleaning in 2005 to describe this very thing, stating, "a pressure specific process will protect every surface being cleaned without any concern for damage".

Soft Washing

The Soft Wash method of exterior cleaning does not rely on pressure or force to clean. Unlike conventional power washing, which only uses water to blast the grime off your siding, Soft Washing utilizes specially formulated cleaning detergents which are applied at Low Pressure to eliminate the pollutants on the home. With soft washing, it is more about the volume of water and the more concentrated detergents used than it is about pressure.

Soft washing provides a safe and thorough cleaning to your home and a longer-lasting one if the professional soft wash company uses the correct detergents. Like with pressure cleaning, the algae and mold inhibitors in many soft washing solutions delay the reappearance of unsightly algae, mold, and mildew growth on your home’s exterior.

So which method is better? It is really a matter of preference although most professional exterior cleaning companies utilize both systems as each have their pros and cons. Pressure cleaning has the ability to remove stains from surfaces that require more force as well as give the operators the ability to clean concrete and other hard surfaces more easily. Soft washing reduces the risk of damage from excessive pressure, but ultimately, both methods are excellent when used by a trained professional.