Soft washing vs pressure washing

3 min read

Pressure washing blasts dirt away with high pressure water. Soft washing uses low pressure and a cleaning solution instead. Using the wrong one can damage the surface, so the difference matters.

How they differ

Pressure washing relies on force, which is great for concrete and other hard surfaces but can crack siding, strip paint, and tear up roof shingles. Soft washing uses a cleaning solution to break down mold, mildew, and algae, then rinses at low pressure, so it is safe for more delicate surfaces.

Which to use where

Use pressure washing on driveways, patios, and concrete. Use soft washing on siding, roofs, fences, and anything painted, where high pressure would do more harm than good. For most homes the exterior wants a soft wash.

Ask about a soft wash

Common questions

Is soft washing or pressure washing better for my house?+

For siding, roofs, and painted surfaces, soft washing is safer. Pressure washing is best kept to hard surfaces like concrete.

Will pressure washing damage my siding?+

It can. High pressure can crack siding, force water behind it, and strip paint, which is why soft washing is the safer choice there.