Pressure Washing vs. Soft Washing

Serving the Vancouver-Portland Metro Area

Pressure Washing Walking Path to Remove Moss and Weeds Between Cracks. Contact Moss Doctors for Your Pressure and Soft Washing Needs.

Just about everyone knows what pressure washing is, but fewer know what soft washing is. Even though they have similar names, there’s actually a lot to differentiate these two washing methods. There are situations, like roof and siding cleaning, where soft washing is a much better choice than pressure washing, and vice versa.

Ever wondered about the difference between these two processes? You’re in the right place. Read on to learn more about these services from the experts at Moss Doctors.

What’s the Difference Between Soft Washing and Pressure Washing?

The primary difference is right there in the name – pressure washing uses pressure, while soft washing does not. Soft washing instead uses low-pressure water, cleansers, and soaps. It doesn’t power stains and grime away; instead, it gently cleans the surface in much the same way you clean surfaces by hand. It takes a bit longer than pressure washing but is much more versatile.

Note that soft washing uses chemicals that are safe for your home and the environment. Keeping the environment healthy is just as important to the Moss Doctors team as bringing you the most effective clean.

When to Use Soft Washing

Soft washing is best used for fragile surfaces. This includes your home’s exterior, as well as any painted or fragile surfaces. The cleansers are applied, allowed to sit for a while, and then gently rinsed away with water pressure below 1000 psi.

Below are examples of surfaces it’s safer to soft wash:

  • Siding of any kind
  • Shingle roofs
  • Painted or stained surfaces
  • Porous surfaces

Benefits of Soft Washing

When used correctly, soft washing brings a number of benefits that pressure washing doesn’t. These include:

  • Reduced water usage. Soft washing uses much less water than pressure washing.
  • Gentle cleaning. Soft washing is much less likely to damage your property and is ideal for fragile surfaces.
  • Lasting clean. Using safe chemicals to get rid of moss and other grime can keep it away for longer than water on its own.
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When to Use Pressure Washing

Even though soft washing is a highly versatile service, it doesn’t mean it’s the best choice for every situation. Sometimes, you need a heavy-duty scouring to get the job done.
Below are a few instances where pressure washing may be the better choice:

  • Driveways
  • Sidewalks
  • Unpainted, nonporous, sturdy surfaces

Contrary to popular belief, you shouldn’t pressure wash your roof! Shingles are more fragile than they look, and pressure washing can easily crack them – or even knock them clear off your roof. Pressure washing is best reserved for cleaning very sturdy surfaces that won’t crack under pressure; leave the gentle cleaning to soft washing.

Benefits of Pressure Washing

Soft washing can’t replace pressure washing! It comes with its own list of benefits:

  • Scours away stains. Pressure washing powers away stubborn stains on hard surfaces like nothing else.
  • Cleans quickly. Very few stains will last long against a pressure washer!

Moss Doctors Can Help With All Your Soft Washing Needs

While pressure washing has its uses, the Moss Doctors team recommends gentler soft washing for most exterior cleaning tasks. Not sure whether you need soft washing or pressure washing? The Moss Doctors team is here to help. For 15 years, we’ve helped home and business owners in the Vancouver-Portland Metro area keep their property looking great. Whenever you need exterior cleaning, we’re just a phone call away!

Give us a call for a free estimate!

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Pressure Washing vs. Soft Washing in Vancouver WA

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