If your property is looking worse for the wear, a good wash can bring it right back to life. Many property managers and homeowners are astounded at the difference a mere exterior cleaning can do. However, you may be confused about the difference between soft washing and pressure washing and wonder which is better.
Pressure washing and soft washing both have their place in the exterior cleaning world. The specific surface being cleaned will determine which process should be used. Here’s what you need to know about the difference between a pressure wash and a soft wash and which would be best for which surface. Let’s get into it.
What’s The Difference Between A Pressure Wash And A Soft Wash?
Pressure washing and soft washing are types of exterior cleaning methods that both use some sort of water pump. However, just because they both use a similar type of system does not mean that they are interchangeable terms.
About Pressure Washing
A pressure wash utilizes pressurized water in order to clean stubborn grime and the like from hard surfaces. Pressure washing is great for those hard, resilient surfaces, like driveways and sidewalks. It provides immediate results, particularly for areas with noticeable buildup of stubborn grime.
However, the high pressure used in this cleaning method can result in damage on more delicate surfaces or if used incorrectly. If you want to pressure wash your property, it’s important to work with experienced professionals, in order to keep both you and your property safe.
About Soft Washing
Soft washing uses a gentler approach with biodegradable cleaning solutions for getting organic growth off of more delicate surfaces, such as your siding, roofing, and the like. Because it uses low-pressure, it’s a safer cleaning method than pressure washing, and there is decreased risk of property damage. It kills mold, algae, and bacteria at their source, which prevents rapid regrowth, thus enabling you to enjoy longer-lasting results.
However, if not properly protected and/or rinsed, some cleaning solutions used in this method can harm plants surrounding the cleaning area. When you work with professional soft washers, they will know how to keep your greenery protected, so you can enjoy a revitalized property without having to sacrifice your landscaping to achieve it.
Which Is Better: Pressure Washing Or Soft Washing?
As you can see, it’s not a matter of which method is better than the other, but rather, which is better for which purpose.
Siding manufacturers recommend a low-pressure, detergent-based cleaning procedure (aka, a soft wash) to maintain the siding. Soft washing is a gentle, safe, and effective approach to giving your building the deepest clean possible – without the negative potential side effects of using high pressure.
On the other hand, most concrete surfaces will benefit from using more pressure due to the porosity of the surface. For extremely dirty concrete, you can also use a combination of both processes by soft washing the surface to loosen up the mold/dirt, and then pressure washing the surface to remove all of the contaminants.
If you’re ever in doubt about whether you need soft washing or pressure washing, an experienced professional will be able to recommend the appropriate method depending on what you need cleaned.
Do You Need Exterior Cleaning Services?
Cardinal Pressure Washing provides professional exterior cleaning services in and around Grove City, Ohio. From apartment complexes to houses and beyond, we take pride in ensuring each and every one of our commercial and residential clients receives the highest quality work. We do pressure washing, soft washing, dryer vent cleaning, and more.
To learn more about the services we offer or to get yours scheduled, please don’t hesitate to contact us today.