The difference between soft washing & power washing your Home.

Mixing up the terms soft washing and power washing happens all too often. Most people tend to lump all types of exterior cleaning under the “power washing” or “pressure washing” category. But have no fear—we’re here to clarify the difference and explain which method is right for each surface.

Let’s start with power washing, also known as pressure washing. These terms mean the same thing. Power washing uses a machine to shoot a high-pressure stream of water to eliminate dirt, mold, mildew, and other debris from hardscape surfaces.

It’s important to only use power washing techniques on surfaces that are durable enough to withstand high pressure. These include brick, pavers, concrete, and stone.

At Under Pressure House Washing, we never use high pressure on your home’s exterior if it’s made of vinyl, Hardie Plank, wood, or aluminum. And we never power wash roofs. Doing so can cause damage and lead to premature breakdown of materials, putting your siding and roof’s integrity at risk.

Which brings us to the other method we use - soft washing.

Soft washing uses low pressure and specialized cleaning solutions to gently eliminate dirt, mold, and mildew at a molecular level. Essentially, it sanitizes the exterior of your home, which helps prevent those organic materials from growing back quickly.

As mentioned earlier, soft washing should be used on more delicate surfaces to protect your home’s structure and finish. This includes siding, roofs, and certain types of wood or painted surfaces.

Unfortunately, we still see people power washing their siding and roofs far too often. While power washing is an effective technique, using it on the wrong surfaces—or using it improperly—can cause serious damage.

When you choose Under Pressure House Washing, you can rest assured your property is in good hands. We use the right method for every surface, keeping your home clean and protected.