Pressure Washing
vs Soft Washing
They're not the same thing — and using the wrong method can damage your home. Here's what you need to know before calling anyone.
The Short Answer
Pressure washing uses high-pressure water to blast away dirt, grime, and stains from hard surfaces like concrete, brick, and stone. Soft washing uses low pressure combined with cleaning solutions to safely clean delicate surfaces like vinyl siding, roofs, stucco, and painted wood — surfaces that would be damaged by high pressure.
At Glow Improvements, we assess every surface before we touch it. We default to soft washing on anything that isn't a hard surface, and we never apply high pressure to a surface that doesn't need it.
Pressure Washing — Best For
- Concrete driveways & sidewalks
- Brick patios & retaining walls
- Pool decks
- Garage floors
- Stone surfaces
Soft Washing — Best For
- Vinyl & fiber cement siding
- Roofs (shingles, tile, metal)
- Stucco & EIFS
- Painted surfaces
- Wood fences & decks
Why Soft Washing Works Better on Siding
High-pressure water can strip caulk, crack siding panels, force water behind your walls, and void manufacturer warranties. More importantly, it doesn't actually kill the mold and algae — it just blasts the surface growth off. The root stays behind and grows back within months.
Soft washing uses biodegradable cleaning solutions that kill mold, algae, and mildew at the root. The results last 4–6 times longer than pressure washing the same surface, and there's zero risk of damage.
This is why we default to soft washing for house washes. It's the safer, more effective method — and it's what the manufacturer of your siding recommends too.
What About Roofs?
Never pressure wash a roof. The pressure strips granules from shingles, shortens the life of your roof, and can void your warranty. Many roofing manufacturers explicitly state this in their warranty documents.
Soft washing is the only safe method for roofs. We apply the cleaning solution, let it do the work, and rinse at low pressure. Black streaks, moss, and lichen are gone — without touching your shingles.
Not Sure What Your Property Needs?
We'll assess every surface when we come out for your free estimate and tell you exactly what method we'll use and why — no pressure, no obligation.
Your Property Is Our Pride
Ready to See the Difference?
Free estimates — no pressure, no commitment.