Which is Better: Pressure Washing or Soft Washing?
Soft washing and power washing are the most common methods used to clean exterior surfaces. Both methods are very effective on their own, but there are differences which make them better suited to different situations. Understanding the differences and similarities between pressure washing vs soft washing can be helpful in determining which method will work best for you.
Soft Washing and Power Washing: What Is the Difference Between Them?
Soft washing and Pressure washing are two techniques that can be used to wash exterior surfaces, including siding, roofing, decks, and drives. Although they are similar in many ways, there are differences between them when it comes to the equipment used, the cleaning agents applied, and the pressure exerted.
Water Pressure Washing: Water pressure washing is a method of removing dirt, grime, or other contaminants by using high-pressured water. It is typically a machine that sprays the water at pressures of between 1,000 and 3,000 psi. This high-pressure stream of water works well to remove stubborn stains.
Soft Washing: Soft washing is a gentler method of cleaning. Instead of using high pressure alone, soft-washing uses a low-pressure nozzle connected to a pressure cleaner. Soft-washing also uses cleaning solutions to kill mildew and bacteria, as well as water. The low pressure application reduces the risk of damaging delicate surfaces and still achieves a thorough clean.
Why Pressure Washing is Beneficial:
- Powerful Surface Cleaning: A pressure washer is highly effective in removing stubborn dirt, grime, grease, and oil. The high-pressure water stream is able to tackle the toughest cleaning problems, which makes it perfect for the heavily soiled areas.
- Faster Closing: Because of their high-pressure output, pressure washers can clean larger areas in less time than soft washing. It’s a good choice for parking lots, industrial facilities, and commercial properties where efficiency is important.
- Preparation of Surfaces: It is common to use pressure washing as a preparation step before staining, sealing, or painting surfaces. By thoroughly cleaning and preparing the surface, pressure-washing ensures that the coatings will adhere and last longer.
- Versatility: You can adjust the pressure of the machine and change nozzle attachments to suit different cleaning needs. It can be applied to everything from concrete washing to graffiti removal.
Which method is best?
The answer to the question of whether pressure washing or soft washing is more effective depends on the type of surface and cleaning requirement. The following are factors to be considered when choosing between pressure washing and soft washing:
- Sensitivity to Surfaces: Avoid damaging surfaces by using soft-washing. Pressure washing Conyers can be harsh and lead to surface etching.
- Cleaning Efficacy: Pressure washing Acworth can provide better results for surfaces that are heavily soiled or have deep stains. However, when the stains come from organic sources, such as mildew or molds, soft cleaning with special cleaning solutions will likely produce better results.
- Prevention Maintenance: Using soft-washing to prevent future growth of algae, mold, or mildew is an additional benefit. If you need a way to keep surfaces pristine and clean over the long haul, soft cleaning is your best bet.
- Speed and Efficiency: When cleaning large areas, or areas that are heavily stained, pressure washing can be a faster and better option. When time is of the essence, or you must tackle large-scale cleaning projects, pressure washers may be your best option.