Soft Washing

What soft washing actually is

Soft washing uses low pressure, closer to a garden hose than a pressure washer, along with cleaning solutions that break down the growth itself. The solution does the work, not force.

That matters, because the green and black staining on siding and roofs is alive. It's algae, mildew, and lichen. Pressure knocks the surface layer off and it returns within months. Treating it kills it at the root, so it stays gone far longer.

Where it's the right method

• Vinyl, aluminum, and composite siding
• Roof shingles with black streaking or moss
• Painted wood, trim, and soffits
• Stucco, EIFS, and dryvit
• Screens, gutters, and fascia
• Fences and decks that would splinter under pressure

Why not just use high pressure?

On siding, high pressure forces water up under the laps and into the wall, where it has no fast way out. On shingles it strips the granules that protect the roof, which shortens its life and can void a manufacturer's warranty. On painted wood it lifts the finish.

Anywhere the surface is soft, layered, or coated, pressure is the wrong tool. That covers most of a house above the foundation.

Plants and pets

Solutions strong enough to kill algae aren't good for landscaping. We soak beds and plantings before we start, keep them wet through the job, and rinse thoroughly afterward. Keep pets inside while we work and until treated surfaces have been rinsed.