SoftWashing vs Pressure Washing: What's the Difference and Which is Best??

When it comes to maintaining the exterior of your home, cleaning methods are crucial for both aesthetic and functional reasons. Two popular techniques are softwashing and pressure washing.

For years pressure washing was the leader in exterior cleaning. But, over the past several years softwashing has rapidly grown in popularity. 

Have you heard of softwashing and you’re curious about the hype? Do you need your home’s exterior cleaned and you’re trying to decide the best option? Are you skeptical about SoftWashing and simply want to educate yourself on how it is different than the familiar pressure washing services you may be used to?

Then you’re in the right place. In this blog we will help you understand SoftWashing, explore the key differences between SoftWashing and pressure washing and provide you with the information to determine which option is best for cleaning your home or business’s exterior. 

 

What is SoftWashing?

Most people are less familiar with SoftWashing and much of the questions surrounding SoftWashing and pressure washing stem from a lack of knowledge about SoftWashing. So, it’s appropriate to start off by discussing what SoftWashing is to help spur the conversation. 

So what is SoftWashing? SoftWashing is a cleaning method that uses low-pressure water combined with specialized cleaning solutions. This technique is designed to safely and effectively remove dirt, algae, mold, and other contaminants from surfaces without causing damage.

This is often confused with pressure washing because it can look like the same process, but rather than relying on highly pressurized water, it relies on a unique cleaning process to break down dirt, grime, and more. 

The result is a gentle yet effective cleaning that lasts much longer than other exterior cleaning methods. 

If you want to explore SoftWashing further, we wrote a blog detailing the ins and outs of SoftWashing.

 

Comparing SoftWashing and Pressure Washing

You’re probably already familiar with pressure washing, but in case you’re not, pressure washing uses high-pressure water to remove dirt, grime, mold, and other contaminants from surfaces (hence the name). This method relies on the sheer force of water to clean surfaces.

It’s a common misconception that pressure washing and SoftWashing are the same thing. Some believe that SoftWashing is simply pressure washing with a lower psi but they are in fact different. Let’s explore the key differences between the two. 

 

Key differences

 

Water pressure

SoftWashing uses a pressure typically less than 500 PSI (pounds per square inch). While pressure washing pressure typically ranges from 1,500 to 4,000 PSI. A high PSI means dirt and grime can be easily blasted away but this also means more sensitive materials like wood, shingles, or siding can be harmed in the process. 

 

Cleaning Solution

Pressure washing relies solely on the power of forceful water, while SoftWashing utilizes water-based, biodegradable cleaning solutions to break down grime and organic growth. 

 

Cost of Services

When hiring a company, SoftWash services are often slightly higher than pressure washing. SoftWashing requires specialized equipment and training to ensure proper cleaning but most homeowners agree that the results are worth the extra investment. 

As you can see, they are quite a bit different. But which one is the better overall solution and which one is right for you Let’s find out! 

 

Which is the better solution for you?

When it comes to exterior cleaning, SoftWashing reigns victorious in most situations, and we aren’t just saying that as the leading SoftWash company in Maryland. Here’s why so many are choosing SoftWashing. 

For delicate surfaces you should always choose SoftWashing simply because of the damage pressure washing can cause. Pressure washers can damage siding, shingles, fencing, decking and can remove mortar and grout between brick and tile. It’s simply just not ideal for most situations. 

But what about tougher surfaces like driveways and sidewalks? Pressure washing does a great job of cleaning these surfaces but SoftWashing provides the best of both worlds. When it comes to driveways and sidewalks, we as a SoftWashing company,  will utilize high-pressure equipment with our SoftWashing solutions (it’s important to note that this is the ONLY time we use high pressure.) This allows us to blast away the dirt while our SoftWash solution breaks down grime and helps restore our clients’ driveways and sidewalks to their original color. 

SoftWashing has been on a rapid incline because homeowners are realizing that SoftWashing can do just about everything pressure washing can, but with additional benefits and cleaning opportunities that pressure washing doesn’t have. 

 

Considering SoftWashing For Your Home? Make sure to Hire a Pro!

There are articles all over the internet “teaching” how to SoftWash a house yourself. Unfortunately, many of these articles are not accurate and misinform the public about SoftWashing. Many of these articles can be summed up with the notion that a homeowner can purchase (or borrow) a pressure washer, mix soap and bleach together and have a SoftWash system. 

As we highlighted already, this is not true SoftWashing. Proper SoftWashing requires unique equipment, a specialized formula and proper training. Without it, you can end up damaging your home’s exterior and destroying the surrounding flower beds.

If you are interested in SoftWashing your home, leave it to the professionals! This will ensure the job gets done right! And when looking for a professional make sure to vet the companies before hiring them. 

If you’re a homeowner or business owner in the Maryland area, we invite you to reach out to us at Superior SoftWash. We are the most experienced SoftWash company in the area and we ensure all techs are properly trained and educated.