If you are new to soft washing, it’s an alternative to pressure washing that uses much less pressure. To eliminate the vast amounts of dirt, grime, and buildup from surfaces, soft washing cleaning relies on a combination of environmentally safe soaps and solutions that do the hard work of eliminating buildup from roofs, gutters, windows, siding, sidewalks, driveways, and more. Once the home has been treated with a soft washing solution, the surface will be protected against mold, mildew, algae, and more.
How Soft Washing Works
1. The Cleaning Solution
Soft washing is a straightforward process with two variations. Soft washing begins by preparing the yard or surrounding property that you want to keep safe, including plants and flowers. The soft washing solution includes a bleach or other powerful acidic cleaner to dissolve the buildup from whatever is currently being washed.
Solution Summary: Generally, soft washing solutions contain some part of bleach or a powerful chlorine cleanser. This cleanser dissolves the grime right off of the surface of the wall, and truly excels when your service requires a deep clean, but can’t withstand high pressure.
Recipes for a soft wash solution may differ depending on what you are washing. (old tile roof, stone walls, fences, etc.). The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturer’s Association claims that the best method of cleaning algae and moss is with a 50:50 mix of laundry-strength bleach and water. However, that is specific to a roof, and recipes can vary based on the surface.
Soft washing recipes also differ based on the materials used. “Laundry Strength” bleach means the stuff you pick up off the shelf at the store. It has about 5-6% sodium hypochloride content in it, a.k.a the active ingredient. However, commercial grade bleach usually has over two times more active ingredient in it.
Lastly, soft wash solutions usually contain a surfactant. A soft washing surfactant is a chemical compound added to the solution to give it a lower surface tension. This makes it like a soap, easily spreading around the applied surface, while also clinging to it.
2. The Washing
Once the cleaning solution has been applied and given time to work its magic, the next step in soft washing is rinsing the surface. Unlike pressure washing, which relies on high-powered water jets, soft washing uses low-pressure water to gently rinse away dirt, grime, and the cleaning solution itself.
The key to the washing process is ensuring that the solution has been on the surface long enough to break down the buildup effectively, but not so long that it risks drying or damaging the surface. This step requires precision and attention, as the low pressure ensures that delicate surfaces such as roof shingles, siding, or windows aren’t harmed during cleaning.
The low-pressure water is typically sprayed using a special nozzle that distributes the water evenly across the surface, ensuring a thorough rinse without disrupting the material being cleaned. This step not only clears away the dissolved buildup but also washes off any remaining cleaning agents, leaving the surface clean and free of any harmful residues.
3. The Results
After the washing process is complete, the transformation is immediately noticeable. Soft washing not only removes visible dirt and grime, but it also tackles the underlying causes of buildup, such as mold, mildew, algae, and bacteria. This results in a cleaner, brighter appearance that revitalizes the surface, making it look almost like new.
Because soft washing uses solutions designed to kill organic growth at the root, the results are long-lasting. Unlike pressure washing, which may only remove surface-level dirt, soft pressure washing penetrates deeper to prevent future growth, providing ongoing protection from mold, algae, and other buildup. This means that the surface will stay cleaner for a longer period, reducing the need for frequent cleaning.
For homeowners, this is a significant benefit, especially on surfaces like roofs, siding, and driveways, which are more prone to algae and moss growth. The added protection extends the life of these materials, reducing wear and tear caused by organic buildup. Additionally, the gentle, low-pressure method ensures that no damage occurs during the cleaning, preserving the integrity of the surface.
Soft Pressure Washing vs. High Pressure Washing: Which is better?
Soft washing and pressure washing aren’t directly comparable; they are for completely different jobs. In the case of a large concrete driveway or solid, durable, surface, pressure washing is a great choice. Soft washing will clean just as well, but may take longer, or be a different price. Furthermore, a solid surface like concrete or cement can handle the immense pressure that comes from a pressure washing hose.
Here’s the other scenario: a few year old tile or shingle roof, gutters, sensitive siding, or wooden fences. Again, we could do soft pressure washing or high pressure washing. But a real pressure wash would surely damage these surfaces. That’s why soft washing was invented. We take away some of the power, and replace it with environmentally safe, but still very strong, cleaning solutions. This way we can soft wash shingle siding or similar more brittle surfaces.
The Short Answer: pressure wash durable surfaces, soft wash everything else.
All The Benefits of Soft Washing
1. Prevents Future Damage
Substances like mold, moss, algae, and just dirt or grime can grow on your surfaces. If left untreated, these organisms eat away at the surface, especially roofing material, causing a multitude of problems, like leaks and rotting shingles or tiles. Roof soft washing is very important for this reason.
However, soft washing does more than just remove them: it keeps them away! Soft washing, by using chemical solutions instead of just high pressure, keep a fungicidal effect on your surface for a while after washing. This means that the softwashing is actually a deterrent to future regrowth.
2. Greatly Improves Appearance
Dirt, grime, and various stains make your roofs and siding look old and worn out. Soft wash roof cleaning can improve the appearance of your roof and make it look new again, along with any other surface. Furthermore, those positive elements increase your curb appeal, making soft washing a useful method of before-sale cleaning when selling your home.
3. Environmentally Friendly
Soft wash cleaning is biodegradable and environmentally friendly, so there’s nothing to worry about in terms of health effects. It uses low-pressure water and completely eco-friendly cleaning solutions to remove contaminants without harming the environment or you.
Hiring Softwash Cleaning Professionals
1. Choosing The Right Company
Choosing the right company for softwash roof cleaning, softwash siding cleaning, or anything else, is very important. A good company will ensure the job is done safely, efficiently, and will leave you satisfied with the job done.
- Lots of Experience: The company you hire should be an industry professional, with plenty of years of experience. Obviously, you can find good services from newer companies; but choosing a longstanding option is a way to get 100% certainty of a job well done.
- Great Reviews: Real reviews from real people are the best way to check if a company’s service is superior. To make sure the reviews are real, check for profile pictures in each review, and inspect them to see if they are unique.
- Pricing: There’s a lot to think about when it comes to pricing. Do you want something reasonably priced with guaranteed quality and customer service? Or do you want to go ultra-cheap and risk damage from the job being messed up. It can be a tough choice.
2. Important Questions To Ask
Some essential questions to ask your first softwash cleaning hire are these:
- What is your soft wash roof cleaning process?
- What chemicals do you use?
- How long will the job take?
- Do you have insurance?
- Do you have references?
- What is your pricing?
3. The Best Soft Washing Service in Madison WI
With all this said, there’s one company that fits the bill. Skyline Services Inc. meets every requirement above. We have over 40 years of experience in the cleaning industry, and have used that to develop efficient job service and incredible customer service. We use only environmentally safe chemicals, ensuring the safety of your home. And finally, we have a 4.9 star average of certified reviews on Google, from our hundreds of satisfied customers.
Skyline is the clear choice for soft washing or pressure washing in Madison. And who wouldn’t say that on their own blog? But while anyone can say it, we can back it up, with our experience, happy customers, and streamlined processes.
