Pressure Washing vs. Soft Washing: Which is Safer for Your Home?
Pressure Washing vs. Soft Washing
It used to be that pressure washing was really the only option for cleaning your home, be it the siding, roof, driveway, or sidewalk. In recent years soft washing has emerged to be a kinder, gentler alternative to pressure washing. While pressure washing still plays an important role in cleaning harder surfaces, soft washing offers a safer way to clean the more sensitive parts of your home.
Related: This is the Best Time to Pressure Wash Your Home
What is Pressure Washing?
Pressure washing is a cleaning method that uses water pressurized to between 1,300 and 3000 PSI to blast algae, oxidation, and grime off your siding. While it does use some detergent in the process, the main vehicle for cleaning your home is not chemical but mechanical.
When to use pressure washing
While pressure washing is very effective at removing dirt, it can also present a risk of damage. It can force water behind the siding, leading to mold growth. The high pressure can etch patterns on roofing, decks and siding, damage screens, and blow out seals on windows. For these reasons, you should limit pressure washing to hard surfaces that can take the pressure.
Surface | Recommended Method | Why? |
Driveways and Sidewalks | Pressure Wash | Concrete can endure greater water pressure and requires more pressure for cleaning. |
Roof (Asphalt/Tile) | Soft Wash | High pressure can remove granules from shingles, shortening the lifespan of your roof |
Vinyl and Wood Siding | Soft Wash | Soft washing won’t damage wood or vinyl or force water behind seams. |
Decks & Fences | Hybrid | Soft wash won’t etch wood. |
What is Soft Washing?
Soft washing uses a combination of low water pressure, typically less than 500 PSI, and a higher concentration of soap to clean siding. Whereas pressure washing uses mechanical means, soft washing uses chemical means. The process involves applying a layer of soap to the surface, then allowing it to soak in for about 15 minutes. This gives the soap time to penetrate into surfaces to kill off algae and mold. The soaking is followed by a gentle rinse.
Note: The sodium hypochlorite used in soft washing can sometimes react with the pigment in certain brands and colors of paint. Always check an inconspicuous area of the siding before applying it to the whole home.
When to Use Soft Washing
Since soft washing is a gentle means of cleaning, use it for any surface that would be damaged through pressure washing, including siding, stucco, windows, doors, and tile.
Two Types of Cleaning With One Machine
You don’t need to buy two machines to clean your home. If you already own a pressure washer, converting it to allow for soft washing is simple and only requires adding a downstream injector or X-Jet nozzle:
- Downstream Injector: This part, which costs about $20, fits in the line between the pump and the wand. It draws cleaning chemicals from a container into the hose under low pressure, so you can apply soap.
- X-Jet Nozzle: This long range tip attaches to the end of a spray wand and draws chemicals from a separate container. This type of nozzle allows you to apply soap from up to 40 feet away. It’s essential if you have a two story home.
Which is Best for Your Home?
This isn't an either or question. You should use both pressure washing and soft washing around your home. Use pressure washing for hard surfaces, like driveways and walkways. Use soft washing for more delicate surfaces like siding and wood decks.