How to Soft Wash a House: Step by Step guideline
Reviving Your Home’s Radiance Through Expert Soft Washing
Are you looking for how to soft wash a house? Don’t be frustrated! I have soft-washed thousands of local houses to protect investments and restore curb appeal.
I share the ideal methods to clean any siding type using specialty detergents, strategic rinsing, and detailed prep work tailored to each unique property. I never take shortcuts that could damage belongings or landscaping.
In this guide, I’ll show the steps and chemistry behind professional house soft washing from initial plans to final reveal.
Whether you’re considering DIY, you’ll know what set’s quality service you need. I’ve seen too many botched jobs due to requiring more expertise. Read on to learn instructions to soft wash your home.
What is soft washing a house?
Home soft washing is a gentle cleaning method that utilizes low-pressure water, specialized detergents, and sometimes mild bleach solutions to clean exterior surfaces like house siding, roofs, decks, driveways, and more. Soft washing relies on chemicals and low volumes of water to lift dirt, mold, mildew, and grime.
The key to effective soft washing is selecting the right chemicals and mixes for the type of surface being cleaned. Specialty detergents and mix-in solutions help break down organic stains and debris without damaging exterior materials.
Using the proper chemical concentrates with low-pressure rinse wands allows dirt and grime to be lifted to the surface and washed away without abrasive scrubbing or high-pressure sprays. Soft washing requires specialized gear like chemical injectors or down streamers to mix solutions on the fly. Still, the investment opens up low-pressure cleaning options for all exterior surfaces.
The basics of soft washing rely on moisture, chemicals, and low pressure instead of intense physical force to get surfaces clean. Soft washing gives professional cleaners flexible options for effective, safe exterior cleaning when combined with suitable detergent solutions and practiced techniques.
Benefits of soft washing over pressure washing
There are numerous benefits of soft house wash.
- Gentle and Effective Cleaning: Soft washing targets dirt and grime root causes, ensuring a deep, long-lasting clean.
- No Damage to Surfaces: Soft washing maintains a home’s exterior integrity, unlike pressure washing.
- Prevents Future Growth: Specialized cleaning solutions prevent mold, algae, and other contaminants from growing.
- Environmentally Friendly: The cleaning solutions used are biodegradable and safe.
This method consumes much less water when compared to pressure washing. Making it a sustainable choice.
Tools and equipment needed for soft wash a house
Here is a list of standard tools and equipment needed for soft washing:
- Soft wash chemical injector or downstream – Mixes and meters detergents/bleach with water
- Garden hose & reel – Supplies water source
- Soft wash hoses & wands – Low-pressure hoses and wands to apply chemicals and rinse
- Soft wash nozzles – Fan nozzles or specialty gentle wash nozzles that project-wide, low-pressure spray
- Pump sprayers – For using cleaners, moth deterrents, etc.
- Soft wash surfactants/detergents – Specialized cleaning solutions formulated for exterior surfaces
- Bleach or sodium hypochlorite – For brightening and disinfecting
- Buckets & brushes – For hand cleaning/scrubbing tight areas
- Tarps & masking materials – To protect landscaping and windows during cleaning
- Pressure washer – Optional for rinse phase of cleaning
- Personal Protective Equipment – Eye protection, gloves, respirators to keep safe around chemicals
- Signage, cones – To notify the public/block off work area if cleaning more significant buildings
- Testing strips, pH meter – For checking chemical mixes.
- Tanks, storage, transportation – For carrying more substantial volumes of detergents, water, etc.
The right combination of professional-grade equipment and soft wash chemistry allows effective building/surface cleaning at low pressures with reduced environmental impact. Investing in reliable soft wash gear improves safety and results when tackling exterior cleaning jobs.
Preparing the house for soft washing
As an experienced soft wash pro, proper preparation is critical to safely and effectively cleaning any house exterior.
The first step you always take is a thorough walk-around inspection of the property to develop a custom cleaning plan.
You check for trouble areas like cracks, worn paint, or delicate fixtures requiring extra care or masking to avoid damage.
This allows you to note difficult areas and choose your chemical mixes for that specific house surface.
Bring all necessary gear to barricade and protect landscaping, windows, or vehicles that could get accidental overspray.
You set up cones and signs to block sidewalls, wrap bushes in plastic, and tape tarps around windows.
For the safety of pets or children, you schedule work when house residents won’t be home or move vehicles so no one enters the active wash area.
You lay drop cloths to prevent chemical runoff to grass or shrub beds. Proper covering and containment keep your soft wash chemicals going only where intended.
By preparing equipment, creating barriers, posting notifications, and working on-site prep, you can control the wash area to direct chemicals only onto surfaces that are being cleaned safely.
The precision of an expert soft wash comes from control of the environment and chemistry, which is second nature with the experience you bring to every residential job.
Steps on How to Soft Wash a House
Here is a step-by-step guide to professionally softwashing a house based on proven best practices:
Inspection & Planning
Walk the property and develop a custom cleaning plan, noting trouble spots, wear/tear, and plantings to protect. Review house materials and choose chemical mixes that won’t harm surfaces.
Protect & Prepare Wash Site
Block off areas with cones and signs. Tape and tarp windows, and wrap plantings in plastic. Check mix ratios and prepare cleaning solutions based on surface area.
Apply Chemicals
Using more downstream, apply custom diluted cleaning solution from the bottom up on the surface area. Ensure complete coverage on siding, brick, or deck. Let chemicals activate for 5-10 minutes.
When soft washing an entire house, using the proper chemical-to-water ratios for effective cleaning without damage is essential. Here are some standard mixture ratios I use:
Siding Mix:
- 3-5 gallons of water
- 20 oz (2.5 cups) sodium hypochlorite bleach
- 1-4 oz specialized siding cleaning concentrate
This balances bleach and detergents to break down organic debris and lift dirt without harming exterior surfaces.
Deck Cleaning Mix:
- 5 gallons water
- 12 oz (1.5 cups) sodium hypochlorite
- 3 oz liquid deck cleaning agent
- 1 oz brightener agent
Decks require brighter mixtures plus dedicated wood/composite cleaners that won’t corrode railings or structural integrity while restoring surfaces.
Final Rinse & Inspection
Do a final low-pressure rinse to flush all chemicals and neutralize the surface. Inspect to ensure stain removal and even cleanness across the entire wash area.
Site Clean Up & Wrap Up
Pack up all equipment and drain/dispose of used chemical solutions properly. Remove protective coverings from landscaping and windows. Sweep the area and do a fina walk-through with the client, providing cleaning tips for future upkeep.
Concrete/Brick Mix:
- 2-3 gallons of water
- 5 oz detergent agent
- 25 oz (3 cups) sodium hypochlorite
- 2 oz anti-mare agent
Heavily soiled brick or decorative concrete needs heavier bleach solutions plus specialty additives to prevent mineral stains from reappearing during cleaning.
Proper chemical ratios prevent surface damage while lifting deep stains. As a professional softwash technician, I carefully calculate and measure our custom mixtures based on the area while factoring in surface type. This expertise ensures ideal cleaning strength to revitalize each exterior section without adverse effects.
Low-Pressure Rinse
Rinse the surface using a wide fan nozzle at low 400-800 psi. Combining chemicals and variable soft pressure spray lifts dirt and stains without damage.
Secondary Cleaning/Brightening
Use a pump sprayer to spot and treat stubborn areas, then low-pressure rinse. Check progress and mix a fresh batch if needed.
As you can see, soft washing requires careful prep and contained chemical application combined with low-pressure rinsing rather than harsh spraying. With the proper training and suitable equipment, soft washing safely cleans delicate exteriors while saving water and protecting landscapes. Reach out today to schedule your house gentle wash!
Safety precautions during soft washing
When soft washing, safety comes first. Always wear protective eyewear, gloves, boots, and clothing to avoid chemical contact. Use low-pressure wands and avoid overspray that could spread solutions unexpectedly. Cover or block all landscaping, vehicles, and unintended surfaces from your work zone. Post warning signs around the property and work when the house isn’t occupied. Keep pets and children clear. Finally, properly contain and dispose of used chemical solutions once the job is complete. Following these precautions ensures safe soft washing.
Common mistakes to avoid during soft washing
Using too high pressure, which damages surfaces. Over-applying or improperly diluting chemicals risks corrosion. Not protecting windows/landscaping from overspray. Skipping surface prep which reduces cleaning results. Attempting to wash in direct sunlight rather than shade. Not rinsing thoroughly to neutralize and flush detergents completely. Rushing the job risks poor cleaning or accidental damage. Always take time to do soft washing properly and safely.
How often should you wash your house softly?
Most houses only need soft washing every 2–3 years. More frequent washing isn’t necessary for siding health. However, wash any exterior surfaces prone to mold, mildew, or organic staining, like wood decks, fences, or concrete patios annually. For the main house, inspect siding and brick every spring – if you notice pronounced dark streaks, dirt buildup, or green growth, it’s time to schedule a thorough soft wash. Proactive cleaning keeps exteriors looking fresh while avoiding permanent stains.
Hiring a professional soft washing service
Trust Innovation Cleaning Services for Professional Exterior Care.
Innovation Cleaning Services exclusively focuses on exterior renewal using specialized equipment and custom-blended detergents designed for your home’s unique materials. Our extensively trained technicians carefully inspect and then strategically wash from the bottom up, ensuring no streaking while removing years of built-up grime.
We properly neutralize and contain chemical runoff to avoid property damage from overspray or leaks into your landscaping. With over 10,000 area homes cleaned and counting without incident, our localized family-owned company has unrivaled experience making exteriors shine through proven gentle washing techniques. Contact Innovation Cleaning Services to safely bring back your home’s vibrancy and transform the curb appeal you see daily.
Conclusion
soft washing utilizes specialty detergents and low-pressure rinsing to spotless exteriors without surface damage. Success requires strategic planning, protective prep, customized chemical mixes, and systematic application for complete coverage. With the proper equipment and technique, soft washing keeps any house looking pristine while being more eco-friendly than pressure washing alternatives when performed by seasoned experts.
