Whether to power wash or to soft wash? This is a hot topic of discussion that homeowners face every season when it's time to spruce up the exterior of their homes and outdoor living spaces. Sadly, through a lack of information or insistence that a particular surface can withstand the pressure, the results have been disastrous and led to costly repairs. The following is a concise, definitive guide to soft washing and power washing your home.

Why Soft Wash or Power Wash?

The end goal of using pressure equipment to clean up and around your home is to preserve its appearance and integrity. Dirt, moss, grime, algae, mold and stains compromise the structure of the materials that were used to build your home and outdoor space. They cause weakness and rot. They make your home look ugly. Attempts to wash them away with a regular garden hose yield minimal results. The job calls for water and/or chemicals under pressure.

The Difference Between Soft Washing and Power Washing

Soft washing and power washing have elements in common, such as requiring equipment to pressurize the water, but overall, they are quite different.

• Soft Washing – Pressure washing equipment is used for this method by reducing the PSI (pound-force per square inch) to 1,000 or lower or by using a different tip on the sprayer. It is done with a solution of water mixed with algaecides, bleach and surfactants. Surfactants allow the other chemicals to dissolve and assimilate more quickly into the water. A low-pressure rinse is used to gently wash off the chemical solution.
• Power Washing – Pressure washing equipment can be used to power wash, typically with the water set to 1,300 – 3,500 PSI. The nozzle is designed to create a stream of high-pressure, hot water to blast away the dirt and unwanted substances. An actual power washing machine comes with an element for heating the water.

When to Soft Wash

Soft washing is done for tough stains or algae that require chemicals to lift them from the surface. It is used for materials that require gentle pressure and would otherwise be damaged under a high-pressure force.



• Remove mold, algae, mildew, dirt, and other contaminants without disturbing the surface below.
• Clean soft siding materials, such as cedar shake siding and wood panel siding.
• Restore vinyl siding, stucco or coquina.
• Wash outdoor furniture, screens, and enclosures.
• Clean concrete less than 3 years old.
• Wash any common surface, such as a roof, patio, gazebo or deck, where you don't want to harm the structural integrity of that surface.

When to Power Wash

In power washing, the combination of heat and high pressure is effective for removing residue from salt, mold and mildew. The added heat is useful when you are dealing with substances such as old chewing gum and grease stains. It delivers a powerful force on surfaces that can handle the impact.



• Clean concrete, pavement, paving stone, brick and other similarly hard surfaces over 3 years old.
• Remove surface stain or loose paint from wood or aluminum siding that won't be damaged by the force of water.
• Prepare a deck, for example, to be repainted or stained.

Soft Wash and Power Wash Safely

At Maintain It All, we are highly experienced with both soft washing and power washing. We know how to use these techniques effectively and handle the equipment safely. As a word of warning, we advise caution when using any of these techniques on windows, rooted plants and vehicles. For peace of mind and assured results, we recommend using the professionals. Contact us now!