When many first hear the term, “soft washing,” it is not always clear what that means. And to be fair, the process of soft washing is not as common in Canada as it is in USA. Nevertheless, the climate in the Pacific Northwest makes the conditions ideal for use of soft washing.
What is Soft Washing?
Soft washing uses a detergent solution composed of a mix of sodium hypochlorite (SH) and surfactants. This solution is then sprayed onto the surface to be cleaned, whether it is vinyl siding, Hardie, concrete, stucco, etc. Since soft washing is a low-pressure washing alternative, the pump output for the soft washing solution is about the strength of a garden house, around 90-100 PSI. Albeit soft washing uses a low pressure, are the chemicals safe for use for exterior house washing?
Is Soft Washing Safe?
The short answer is, yes. We take every precaution to ensure the safety of property and persons when handling chemicals. Though the concentration of SH for exterior soft house washing is low, it must always be handled with care. The way to ensure safety is to:
By remembering to follow these safety measures when soft washing a home, safety for property and persons will be ensured.
The Effectiveness of Soft Washing
When it comes to house washing methods, soft washing is by far the most effective one. The reason is simple: the sodium hypochlorite in the soft washing detergent attacks and destroys microorganisms such as moss, algae, and mildew. Particularly in wet climates such as the Pacific Northwest and Surrey in the Lower Mainland, the organisms make a common appearance. Simply power washing away these organisms means they will grow somewhere else. By exterminating them using a soft wash, the house will stay cleaner for a longer period of time.
