The science behind soft washing, what's actually in the solution, and why it protects surfaces pressure alone would damage.
Get a Free Quote (816) 539-5496Soft washing uses low pressure, usually under 500 PSI, combined with a cleaning solution instead of brute force. Instead of blasting dirt off physically, the solution breaks it down chemically, which is a much gentler process for delicate surfaces.
Our mix is mostly water with a small amount of sodium hypochlorite, the same active ingredient used in pool cleaners, along with a surfactant that helps it cling to a vertical wall instead of running straight off before it can work.
Roofs, vinyl siding, stucco, and painted wood all do better with a soft wash than a hard blast. High pressure on these materials can crack panels, strip paint, or even force water up underneath siding where it can sit and cause mold.
We let the solution sit on the surface for five to ten minutes before rinsing. That dwell time gives it a chance to break down algae and mildew at the root instead of just knocking off what's visible on the surface, which is why soft washed surfaces stay clean longer than a quick rinse.
Before we spray anything, we soak nearby plants and grass with plain water first. That dilutes any overspray so it won't burn your landscaping. We recommend keeping pets inside during application and until everything has been rinsed and dried.
Once the dwell time is up, everything gets a thorough rinse with plain water until no soap residue is left. Metal fixtures and hardware get an extra rinse, since leftover solution can leave spotting behind if it's not fully cleared.
Those dark streaks running down asphalt shingles are usually a specific type of algae called gloeocapsa magma, not just dirt. It feeds on the limestone filler in shingles and spreads from spore to spore across the roof, which is exactly why it comes back if the spores aren't actually killed rather than just rinsed off the surface.
The concentration of our soft wash mix changes depending on the surface and how established the growth is. A lightly hazed vinyl wall needs a much weaker mix than a heavily blackened roof, and using a stronger solution than necessary just adds risk without adding benefit.
Ten years ago, most exterior cleaning leaned almost entirely on pressure. As more companies saw the damage high PSI caused on modern building materials, soft washing became the preferred method industry wide for anything other than concrete and brick, since it cleans deeper without the physical risk.
Wind affects how precisely we can apply chemical, and rain in the forecast can wash away a treatment before it's had time to work. We check conditions before scheduling application specifically, not just for the wash itself but for the chemical's dwell window too.
We're conscious of where runoff goes during and after application, avoiding pushing concentrated chemical directly into storm drains or nearby water sources, and diluting thoroughly during the rinse phase so nothing leaves the property at full strength.
Yes, it's actually the safest method for roofing. Direct pressure on shingles can strip the granules right off, which soft washing avoids entirely.
Since it kills algae and mildew at the root instead of just knocking it off the surface, soft washed areas typically stay cleaner for much longer than a plain water rinse.
Not if it's applied correctly. We soak landscaping with plain water beforehand to dilute any overspray, and everything is fully rinsed after the job.
