Soft Washing vs Pressure Washing – What You Should Know
If you’re looking for a professional pressure washing service, it’s important to understand some key terms. There are three unique categories of exterior washing systems: power washing, pressure washing and soft washing.
Power Washing – It’s About the Heat
What makes power washing unique is the use of heat. Unlike pressure washing, power washing adds heat to the high-powered water stream. This makes it more effective in removing stubborn stains and ground-in materials such as mildew and mold on exterior surfaces. Power washing is best for conditions in which the surface has deep stains or embedded materials and is more often used in commercial applications. Additionally, these machines are not usually available for public use and require professional training or certification.
Pressure Washing
Take the heat away from power washing, and you have pressure washing. Using the same high-pressure water stream, pressure washing still does a good job of removing harmful and unsightly dirt and stains. However, certain conditions or elements such as mold and moss might require power washing, as well as tough concrete stains.
Soft Washing – Better for Your Home
Though it might not sound like it, soft washing also uses pressure washing equipment and hardware but the pressure is modified to a low setting. The nozzle used also widens the spray, which in turn reduces the power of the water released.
Soft washing uses effective cleaning solutions to break down dirt and grime or harmful organisms that have made their home on exterior surfaces. When using a professional service, ensure they use solutions that are safe for your home and for the environment — ensuring low impact to the surrounding ecosystem. Lastly, as a homeowner, you don’t need to worry about damage to exterior surfaces (see below), as soft washing is less about high-powered water streams and more about using the right cleaning solution.
For that reason, soft wash systems are safer, last longer, and more effective than pressure washing systems in a variety of conditions where the surfaces are softer than others. These include:
- Wood panel siding
- Stucco
- Wood fences or decks
- Shingles
- Vinyl siding
- Windows and window screens