How to softwash your home
Softwashing is a gentle yet effective cleaning method ideal for maintaining the exterior of your home. Unlike traditional pressure washing, softwashing uses low pressure and specialized solutions to safely clean and protect your home's siding, roof, and other surfaces. This guide will walk you through the basics of how to softwash your home, highlighting the importance of this method for preserving your property's beauty and integrity.
Understanding Softwashing
What is Softwashing? Softwashing is a cleaning technique that uses low-pressure water combined with special cleaning agents to remove dirt, algae, mildew, and other organic stains from exterior surfaces. This method is particularly beneficial for delicate surfaces where high-pressure washing might cause damage.
Why Choose Softwashing Over Pressure Washing? While pressure washing is effective for certain surfaces, it is too harsh for siding, shingles, or wood. Softwashing, on the other hand, provides a gentle yet thorough cleaning, making it ideal for a wide range of materials, including more delicate ones.
Step-by-Step Guide to Softwashing Your Home
Gathering the Right Equipment To softwash your home, you will need a low-pressure sprayer, appropriate cleaning solutions, protective gear (gloves, goggles), and ladders or extension wands for hard-to-reach areas. The cleaning solution should be a mix of water, soap, and bleach. The bleach strength hitting the house should be approximately 1.4%.
Preparing the Area Before you begin, rinse or cover any sensitive plants, outdoor furniture, or decorations. Close all windows and doors, and cover any electrical outlets to prevent water damage. Rinse and pre-wet siding you plan to apply chemical solution to.
Applying the Cleaning Solution Apply the cleaning solution to the exterior surfaces of your home using the low-pressure sprayer. Start from the bottom and work your way up to ensure an even application and less streaks. Avoid electrical receptacles, window glass, and natural wooden features such as doors or shutters.
Letting the Solution Dwell Allow the solution to sit on the surface for enough time to kill organic growth but not long enough to dry. This dwell time is crucial for the cleaning agents to effectively break down the dirt and organic material. If you let the solution sit too long it could damage your siding or windows.
Rinsing the Surface After the solution has had time to dwell, rinse the surface with clean water using the low-pressure sprayer. Be thorough but gentle to ensure all cleaning agents and loosened dirt are washed away.
Softwashing is an excellent way to maintain the exterior of your home, keeping it clean and preserving its materials. While it's a process that can be undertaken as a DIY project with enough research, equipment and time, for the best results and to ensure safety, consider hiring professionals like Spa City Softwash. Our experienced team has the right equipment and expertise to handle your home’s softwashing needs effectively and safely.
Contact Spa City Softwash today to schedule your home’s softwashing and give your property the care it deserves.
