The Difference between Soft Washing and Pressure Washing

Pressure washing was all the rage and has been for a while. The satisfaction of watching grime and all sorts of dirt wash away with the pressure of water can’t be compared to anything else. Sometimes even with meticulous regular cleaning and maintenance on our end, we simply can’t keep up with cleaning all the dirt that gets accumulated. Pressure washing becomes necessary every once in a while to maintain a neat exterior.   

Soft washing is another cleaning technique which is like pressure washing but a little different. If you’re new to soft washing, don’t be confused. We’re here to give you the real low down on what’s what.

What is Soft Washing?

Soft washing is similar to pressure washing except that it uses special nozzles on the end of the washing wand so that the water pressure is reduced.  It is idea for it to come down from a higher psi to almost as low as that of a garden hose. A big difference between the two is that soft washing does not use water but a biodegradable cleaning chemical to treat algae, mold and moss.  

How does it work?

The chemical solution is applied to the surface and left to sit for a while so that it can absorb and break down the dirt particles. After the time allotted for it to absorb the solution, it is rinsed off using low pressure water.

What’s the real difference between the two?

The major difference between the two is that pressure washing uses high water pressure to remove dirt, mold, mildew, grime and other contaminants. And unlike power washing, it requires room temperature water, not heated water.

The other difference is that soft washing uses environmentally safe chemicals to clean surfaces as opposed to pressure washing, which uses simple water.

Both these kinds of cleaning techniques are suitable for cleaning different surfaces. For example, pressure washing should only be done on durable surfaces that can withstand pressure such as fences, sidewalks, patios and driveways in your home. Soft washing might work better on the roof and sides of your home or even on outdoor wood furniture and vinyl siding.

It is advisable to get both types of washing done to your home or commercial building, one after the other. If you’re looking for pressure washing services for gypsum surfaces, contact us.