Is your home’s exterior covered with all sorts of debris? Can you tell that your residential property’s outside surfaces have gotten dirtier over time? If so, it’s a sign that you could benefit from soft washing. But what is soft washing? How exactly does this technique work, and how will you know it’s time to schedule an appointment with a professional soft wash provider?
Discover the answers to all your questions with Simple Softwash! We are the preferred pressure washing company in Biloxi, MS, and we share insights about soft washing and its benefits below.
Why Prioritize Soft Washing?
What is soft washing? Before we answer that question, it’s important to understand why soft washing is so important. What makes it a necessity for your home? There are a number of reasons, including the following:
- Boosting curb appeal. Every homeowner wants their property to look its best. With soft washing, you’ll be able to remove debris from exterior surfaces, making them much brighter and more vibrant.
- Reducing the risk of damage. Surface debris will actually damage your property over time. Don’t let it endlessly grind against surfaces—instead, use soft washing to remove this debris. This helps you avoid costly repairs.
- Making a more hygienic environment. By soft washing surfaces, you’ll reduce the risk of pest infestation and kill bacteria and viruses. This makes it much less likely that you and your family become sick.
How Soft Washing Compares to Pressure Washing
With that out of the way, what is soft washing? Let’s compare it with pressure washing. Pressure washing is the process of cleaning exterior surfaces with high-pressure water. This is an effective way to remove debris (such as dirt, moss, mold, algae, bird droppings, and dead insects) from these surfaces. Pressure washing uses as much as 3,500 PSI, making it an effective way to clean even the most durable surfaces.
Soft washing, in comparison, uses much less water pressure: between 100 and 1,000 PSI. This makes it a safe technique for cleaning delicate surfaces. This includes roofs, softwood, painted surfaces, and home exterior materials such as vinyl, stucco, and brick.
Knowing when to soft wash in lieu of pressure washing is crucial to your property’s well-being. If you are not sure what technique to use, additional research is required. Or you can contact an exterior cleaning company near you. For example, Simple Softwash understands the best technique for any surface cleaning project and would be happy to serve you.
Tools Required For Soft Washing
What is soft washing going to require? What tools should you purchase if you plan to do the work on your own? First and most importantly, you’ll need a pressure washer. This device connects to a water source and pumps the water to a high pressure. That way, it can be sprayed onto exterior surfaces, rinsing away debris.
In addition to a pressure washer, make sure you have the following items:
- Connecting hose and nozzle
- Basic pressure washing detergent
- Spray applicator
- Sodium hypochlorite
- Ladder (for high surfaces)
- Safety gear (e.g., goggles, gloves, closed-toe shoes)
Basic Preparations For Soft Washing
As you gear up for soft washing, don’t forget there are basic ways you should prepare for your project. For instance, have you already cleared the surfaces that you plan to soft wash? If they are still covered with decorations, outdoor furniture, potted plants, and other items, you’ll need to move those objects out of the way. That way, they don’t become obstacles during your project.
Don’t forget to give yourself enough time to finish your project, too! Plan your schedule accordingly—that way, you don’t have to rush through your work because you have another obligation on your day calendar.
How Soft Washing Works
Now, let’s talk about the soft washing process. The first thing you’ll want to do is apply cleaning solutions to the surfaces to be cleaned. Use your spray applicator to put a thin layer of sodium hypochlorite on the surfaces. Then, wait fifteen minutes for stubborn debris to be broken down. This makes it much easier to remove all grime.
Next, select an appropriate amount of water pressure. The correct setting depends on what sort of material you are cleaning. We have listed a few examples below:
- Painted Wood: 200–400 PSI
- Vinyl Siding: 400–600 PSI
- Stucco: 600–800 PSI
- Brick: 800–1,000 PSI
Finally, thoroughly soft wash surfaces in a row-by-row manner. That way, you can easily keep track of what you’ve already cleaned and what still needs your attention. By the time you have finished your work, your property will look much better than before, and that’s something you and your neighbors will appreciate!
Challenges of DIY Soft Washing
If you’re asking questions such as “What is soft washing?”, you have a long way to go before you are proficient at the soft washing process. Learning how to soft wash requires your time and energy. Furthermore, you will need to purchase all the necessary soft washing equipment, which can prove to be a frustrating errand.
As an alternative to DIY soft washing, reach out to Simple Softwash. We are a professional pressure washing and soft washing business, and it would be our pleasure to serve you. By letting us do the work, you won’t have to worry about the DIY process. Instead, kick back and relax, and our experts will restore your property’s exterior for you!
Cost of Professional Soft Washing
What is soft washing going to cost? At Simple Softwash, we determine what you’ll pay by reviewing the surfaces you need us to clean, estimating the total surface area, and giving you a quote based on that. There are never hidden fees or surcharges.
Get a free quote today by contacting us online with information about your soft washing project! Then, choose a time and date for your appointment. We look forward to seeing you in the near future. Rely on Simple Softwash to give your property the top-to-bottom transformation it needs.
