Soft washing vs pressure cleaning: which does your home need?
People often ask for a "pressure wash" when what their house actually needs is a soft wash. The two get lumped together, but they're different jobs, and picking the wrong one is how paint gets stripped and render gets damaged.
What soft washing is
Soft washing uses low pressure and a purpose-mixed cleaning solution. The solution does the work, killing mould, mildew and lichen at the root, then we rinse it away gently. It's the right method for anything painted or delicate: render, weatherboard, roofs, and feature cladding.
What high-pressure cleaning is
High-pressure cleaning blasts grime off hard, tough surfaces with water alone. It's ideal for concrete driveways, paths, pavers, retaining walls and fences, where the surface can take the force and there's no coating to strip.
How we choose
It comes down to the surface:
- Painted walls, render, roofs: soft wash, always
- Concrete, pavers, fences: high pressure
- Windows and solar: pure water, no pressure at all
Most homes need a mix, which is why we bring the gear for all of it and match the method to each surface rather than blasting everything the same way.
Let us sort the right method
You don't have to work out which is which. Tell us what needs cleaning and we'll bring the right approach for every surface. Get a free quote today.
Frequently asked questions
Can't I just use high pressure on everything?
No. High pressure on painted render or weatherboard can strip paint, force water into the cladding, and void paint warranties. That's exactly what soft washing avoids.
Which one lasts longer?
Soft washing lasts longer on walls and roofs because it kills the growth at the root rather than just blasting the surface, so it takes longer to come back.