Chemistry, not force

Soft Washing

Soft washing kills what is growing on the surface instead of blasting it off. On render, paint, weatherboard, fibre cement and roof tiles it is not the gentler option — it is the only correct option.

Think Brick accredited
Fully insured
20+ years experience

Think Brick accredited

Fully insured

20+ years experience

Illawarra to the Highlands

Quick answer

What is soft washing and how is it different to pressure washing?

Soft washing cleans exterior surfaces using low pressure — typically under 500 psi, about the force of a garden hose — combined with a biocidal detergent solution that kills mould, algae, lichen and bacteria at the root. Pressure washing removes growth mechanically, leaving the root structure behind so it returns quickly. Soft washing is the correct method for render, painted surfaces, weatherboard, fibre cement and roof tiles, which high pressure damages.

At a glance

Pressure: Under ~500 psi
Kills at the root: Yes — regrowth is far slower
Suited to: Render, paint, cladding, roofs, decks
Typical result: Stays clean 2–4× longer than blasting

Why blasting mould never works for long

The black and green growth on a shaded south wall is not dirt sitting on the paint. It is a living colony with a root structure into the surface texture. High pressure removes the visible top layer and leaves the roots, which is why a blasted wall looks brilliant for four months and then goes green again.

A soft wash solution kills the organism through the full depth of the colony. The wall then rinses clean at low pressure, and because there is nothing left alive to regrow from, it stays clean for years rather than months.

Where soft washing is the correct method

Rendered and bagged homes — high pressure cracks and pits render and drives water behind it
Painted brick and painted weatherboard, where blasting strips the coating
Fibre cement, Scyon, Hardies and composite cladding
Colorbond and metal cladding, including salt film on coastal homes
Concrete and terracotta roof tiles
Timber decks, pergolas, screens and fencing
Eaves, soffits, gutters and fascia

Coastal homes

Anywhere between Helensburgh and Ulladulla, houses within a few streets of the water carry a constant salt film that holds dust and feeds growth. A soft wash of the full exterior once every year or two keeps that under control, and it does more for the appearance of a coastal house than anything else you can spend the same money on.

Coverage

Where we do soft washing

Illawarra

Wollongong · Shellharbour · Albion Park · Dapto · Kiama · Shell Cove

Shoalhaven

Nowra · Bomaderry · Vincentia · Huskisson · Berry · Culburra Beach · Ulladulla

Southern Highlands

Bowral · Mittagong · Moss Vale · Bundanoon

Sutherland Shire

Helensburgh · Engadine · Sutherland · Cronulla

Based at Warilla. Everything from Helensburgh to Ulladulla and inland to the Southern Highlands is inside our normal working area.

FAQ

Soft Washing — questions we get asked

Is soft washing safe for painted surfaces?

Yes. That is precisely why it exists. The solution is applied at low pressure and rinsed off; the coating is not being mechanically abraded the way it is under a high-pressure lance.

How long does a soft wash last?

Typically two to four years on a house exterior, against six to twelve months for a pressure blast, because the growth has been killed rather than removed. Shaded southern elevations and heavily treed blocks regrow sooner than open, sunny walls.

Will it hurt my plants?

Garden beds are wet down before and after and sensitive planting is covered. The solution is diluted heavily on application and further by the rinse. Done properly, plant damage is rare — done carelessly, it is not, which is the main reason to have it done by someone insured.

Can you soft wash a roof?

Yes, and it is the only method we will use on one. High pressure on roof tiles strips the surface coating, forces water under the laps into the roof cavity, and can dislodge pointing and ridge capping.

Keep reading

Need soft washing quoted?

Call 0448 882 780 or send photos through the quote form. We will tell you what the job needs and what it will cost, including when the honest answer is that you do not need us.

0448 882 780 Free quote