What is soft washing, and when is it used?
Soft washing means cleaning a surface at low pressure using a solution that breaks down organic growth, rather than relying on force to remove it.
It exists because a great many exterior surfaces cannot take a pressure washer without being damaged — and because on living growth, treating it works better and lasts longer than blasting it.
How it differs from pressure washing
Pressure washing uses mechanical force and suits hard, robust surfaces — concrete, block paving, flagged patios, some driveways.
Soft washing uses dwell time instead of force. The solution is applied gently, left to work, then rinsed off evenly. Nothing is driven into joints, seals or the face of a delicate finish.
Surfaces that generally need soft washing
- K-Rend and other silicone or through-coloured renders
- Painted and traditional sand-and-cement render
- Roof tiles, particularly older or brittle profiles
- Conservatory roofs and glazing bars
- Fascias, soffits, cladding and UPVC
- Softer stonework and decorative masonry details
What a soft wash involves
The surface and its condition are assessed first, and a less visible area is tested where the finish or the staining is unusual. Care is taken around windows, doors, seals and nearby planting.
The solution — sodium hypochlorite and biocide — is applied at low pressure, given time to work, and the elevation is then rinsed evenly top to bottom so the surface dries consistently instead of in patches.
When it is not the answer
Soft washing removes organic growth and dirt. It does not repair eroded render, restore damaged tiles, or hide colour differences from patched repairs. Where a surface needs a repair rather than a clean, that is what you will be told.
Want it looked at properly?
Send a few photographs of the elevation along with the address, and Rob will tell you what can realistically be improved, what it will cost and when it can be done.