Who doesn’t take pride in their home or business’s sparkling facade? You always want your property to look its best. There’s no simpler way to achieve that than with regular pressure cleaning or soft washing on the exterior areas.
Many of Salt Lake City’s homes or businesses look like they’ve had a transformation after their exterior surfaces have undergone one day’s worth of professional cleaning. Which is the right approach for your property’s unique surfaces and needs? You’ll need to choose between a soft vs. pressure wash session.
To help you understand the differences between soft washing and pressure washing, this post delves deeper into the two techniques that are making annual maintenance so much easier.
Understanding Soft Washing
Soft washing uses a low-pressure washer with various chemicals and cleaning solutions to clean surfaces. These cleaning agents settle in the layers of dirt, grime, and organic growth, lifting them off the surface. At that point, professionals like Monster Washers will simply rinse the grime and contaminants away with water at very low pressure (not exceeding 300 psi).
Some of the chemicals and solutions that soft washing systems use include the following:
- Surfactants. These chemicals reduce the surface tension of liquids, helping them spread and penetrate gunk on your surfaces.
- Bleach. This potent disinfectant can neutralize most types of bacterial growth and mold.
- Neutralizers. You can use neutralizers to protect your plants and other materials against damage by runoff from the cleaning chemicals. Some neutralizers prevent further buildup by creating a protective coating.
- Odor removers. These chemicals help neutralize unpleasant smells, even around the dumpster pad.
Thanks to its gentle nature, soft washing is ideal for delicate surfaces or structures that can’t withstand high-pressure washing. You can use this technique to clean surfaces like:
- Wood panel sidings
- Vinyl sidings
- Cedar shake sidings
- Roofs
- Brick, pavers, and tile
- Doors and windows
- Outdoor furniture
- Stucco
Exploring Pressure Washing
You can use pressure washing to remove most of the same buildup that soft washing can, including dirt, grime, mud, mold, and loose paint. However, this technique doesn’t use chemicals; it relies on high-pressure water of 1,300 to 3,000 psi. It is brute force that gets the contaminants off your property’s exterior surfaces.
Pressure washing is best for stubborn stains and debris on tough surfaces, such as:
- Concrete driveways
- Stone pathways
- Garage floors
- Patios
- Treated wood decks
Soft vs. Pressure Wash—A Comparative Analysis
When it comes to choosing soft vs. pressure wash, you should know that these two methods use similar equipment. So, what makes them different?
Water Pressure
The primary difference between soft washing and pressure washing is the amount of pressure involved.
Whereas pressure washing can use up to 3,000 psi to scour caked-in gunk off your surfaces, soft washing only uses between 150 and 300 psi. That’s why a soft wash is much less likely to damage your surface materials.
Cleaning Agents
Soft washing combines low-pressure water with various cleaning agents, like sodium hypochlorite and algaecides, to achieve your desired results. You may also choose neutralizers together with cleaning chemicals to reduce the adverse effects of runoff on your environment.
On the other hand, pressure washing cleans your exterior surfaces without the help of chemicals. It only relies on the force of water pressure to accomplish the goal.
Potential Risks
A high-power pressure washing can also be difficult to operate and can be disastrous if you handle it incorrectly. If you pressure wash surfaces that require soft washing, they’ll sustain damage. For example:
- High-pressure water can strip paint from your walls or remove grout or mortar from in-between tiles and bricks.
- Pressure cleaning can remove asphalt shingles during roof cleaning.
- Pressure washing can lead to costly water damage if the high pressure accidentally forces water underneath your property’s siding.
You won’t have to worry about all these issues with soft washing. Low-pressure equipment is much easier to control, minimizing the risk of injuries. It won’t damage your surfaces, only the dirt on them.
Versatility
A soft wash system is generally more versatile than its pressure wash counterpart. You can use it on a wide range of surfaces and materials, too.
Pressure washing safely cleans a limited number of surfaces and materials.
Areas Suitable for Soft Washing and Pressure Washing in Salt Lake City Homes
Are you confused about whether to use soft vs. pressure wash techniques in your Salt Lake City home or business? You should use soft washing on fragile surfaces and limit high-pressure washing to remove rust stains, graffiti marks, and other stubborn stains.
Do you have surfaces like vinyl tiles and softwood? Soft washing would be your best choice. However, you’ll need a pressure wash to remove those tough stains from your driveway or patio.
You’ll often find these surfaces in Salt Lake City, which require maintenance and won’t always stand up to power washing:
- Metal
- Concrete
- Brick
- Aluminum
- Hardwood
While it can be tempting to use a high-pressure washer on your car, windows, or painted surfaces, experts advise caution. You don’t want to strip paint off your property’s surfaces or tear up warranties.
Professional Services vs. DIY
Choosing between pressure washing and soft washing is simple when you know what you’re doing, but doing them yourself is a whole different story. Only the right skills and equipment reach optimal results. Why make a mess and then have to hire a professional pressure washing or soft washing service to step in?
You’re better off hiring a licensed and insured professional pressure washing company in Salt Lake City from the start. Ensure your safety and that of your property while guaranteeing your property will enjoy high-quality cleaning results.
Schedule Your Pressure Washing With Us Today!
The type of surface you want to clean and the desired results matter when it comes to choosing a soft vs. pressure wash. Our professionals can help you choose the best technique based on your property’s specific needs. Contact Monster Washers at (801) 618-8615 for personalized advice today!
