If you’re looking to give your home’s exterior a quick and cost-effective makeover, this guide about professional Soft wash vs Pressure wash can provide the dramatic results you’re looking for. This can be beneficial if you’re putting your home on the market or you’re simply looking to improve its appearance.

But what is the best method for power washing a home – soft wash or pressure wash? In this blog, the professionals at Mid South Pressure Washing LLC explain the pros and cons of soft wash vs pressure wash as well as signs your home needs a wash.

 

What Is Soft Washing?

Unlike a high-pressure pressure wash, soft washing uses a low-pressure water stream with a cleaning solution to clean a home of any dirt, debris, or mold. The soft washing method often uses the same type of nozzle as pressure washers, but the water is let out at a much slower rate.

 

soft wash vs pressure wash

 

Soft Wash Vs Pressure Wash Pros and Cons

Soft washing and  pressure washing share many similarities , however there are some key factors to consider when choosing  between these two washing methods here are the pros and cons of our professional take on soft wash vs pressure wash

 

Pros and Cons of Soft Washing

One of the biggest benefits of using the soft washing method is that it eliminates the chance of damaging your home, including railings, wood trim, roofs, and any other delicate surfaces. It also significantly reduces the chance of stripping protective coatings and paint. Soft washing is also an eco-friendly method of cleaning your home since it only involves the use of water mixed with algaecides, bleach, and surfactants.

While pressure washing simply blasts away dirt, algae, or mold, soft washing uses the cleaning solution to completely eliminate them, so you won’t have to clean the house again as frequently.

Alternatively, soft washing is a much slower process than pressure washing and may take multiple applications to remove tough stains. Although soft washing is a great technique for removing dirt and debris, those tough stains or embedded dirt may need the strength of a pressure washer to remove them.

 

When It’s Best to Use Soft Wash vs pressure wash

Soft washing is best utilized when you want to completely eradicate dirt or living organisms so they don’t return, at least not nearly as quickly. Soft washing is also beneficial to use on roof shingles, wood paneling, windows, painted surfaces, and other delicate surfaces, so they don’t cause damage that pressure washing can.

 

soft wash vs pressure wash

 

What Is Pressure Washing?

Pressure washing is a method of using a high-pressure spray to remove mud, dirt, mold, paint, and other types of grime from concrete, bricks, siding, etc. Aside from using it on the exterior of homes, power washing is often the preferred method for decks, driveways, and patios.

Pounds per square inch, or PSI, determines how much force the water hits the surface. A PSI of 2,500 to 3,000 is typically adequate to power wash your driveway, while 1,500 PSI is recommended for decks, glass, and vinyl siding to avoid damaging those surfaces.

pressure-washing-floor

Outdoor floor cleaning with high pressure water jet

Pros and Cons of Pressure Washing

Because of the high force in which the water is released from the nozzle, one of the biggest benefits of pressure washing is removing dirt, grime, paint, algae, and mold quickly from surfaces. If you own a home that is overrun by dirt, power washing is the best way to quickly improve the appearance of your home. A pressure washed home will stand out in your neighborhood.

The biggest con of using a pressure washer is the damage it can cause to certain surfaces if you’re using a unit with a PSI level that is too high. Pressure washers can strip paint and cause damage to delicate surfaces such as stone or brick. Power washers can also be dangerous if they’re used by children or an inexperienced user.

 

When It’s Best to Use Pressure Washing 

Pressure washing is best utilized for larger projects to get the job done faster or on hard surfaces that won’t be damaged from the force of high-pressure water. Consider using pressure washing on concrete driveways, patios, or the sides of houses with vinyl siding or brick as long as the PSI setting isn’t too high. Other common uses for pressure washers include:

  • Vehicles
  • Grills
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Fences
  • Wood decks
  • Walkways
  • Garage floors

 

soft was vs pressure wash

 

Signs That Your House Needs a Wash

If you’re driving around your neighborhood and suddenly realize the exterior of your home is overrun with potentially harmful algae, consider cleaning it with either a soft wash or pressure washing method. Some common signs it’s time to wash your home include:

 

Stained Floors or Driveways

Over time, concrete patios and driveways can become caked in dirt and debris, leading to an unsightly appearance. Pressure washing these surfaces is a quick and effective method to make the concrete look new again. Concrete can stand up to an extremely high PSI level.

 

soft wash vs pressure wash

 

The Roof Presents Discoloration or Other Deterioration

Have you noticed dark streaks on your roof? That’s actually algae that has hardened over time and formed a coating on your roof. Not only is this extremely unsightly, but it can also cause extensive damage down the road. To remove the algae, it’s best to contact a reputable roof cleaning service to clean the roof with a soft wash method.

 

roof clean

 

The Exterior Walls Look Dirty or Grimy

Washing away dirt, grime, and algae from the exterior walls of your home not only keeps your home looking presentable, but some neighborhood associations require you to keep the exterior of your home clean or you may receive a warning letter and face potential fines. To get the job done right, consider hiring a professional pressure washing company such as Mid South Pressure Washing LLC.

Our employees have the right training, know-how, cleaning solutions, and the right pressure washing and soft washing equipment to get the job done right and avoid any potential damage to your home.

 

Before & After - Exterior building cleaning

 

Your Power Bill Is Higher than Usual

If those aren’t enough reasons to professionally clean the outside of your home, doing so can also reduce your monthly energy bills. That’s because the buildup of dirt or algae on your home’s exterior can affect how well temperatures are regulated. When this occurs, your heating and cooling system will have to work harder to reach the set temperature to keep your home comfortable.

 

Final thoughts on Soft wash VS pressure Wash 

although both of these methods might seem fairly easy, they carry several risks and expenses you could avoid by simply calling professionals.

we at mid-south pressure wash are always up for the task and our over 100 five star reviews on google, are a testament of our commitment to our clients and quality

Should You DIY or Let a Professional Take Care of It?

Although you may save a few bucks by cleaning the outside of your home DIY, hiring a professional company such as Mid South Pressure Washing LLC to do so will ensure the job is done correctly and ensure all dirt, contaminants, algae, and mold are completely removed from the surfaces. The expertly trained professionals at Mid South Pressure Washing LLC will also ensure no damage is done to your home.

When you work with Mid South Pressure Washing LLC, you’ll receive friendly customer service, free estimates, and work that is backed by a 100% guarantee. Both pressure washing and soft washing are great methods to clean your home, and our employees can help you with either method. To schedule service, contact the friendly professionals at Mid South Pressure Washing LLC today.

 

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