Pressure Washing vs. Soft Washing: What’s the Difference?
If your exterior surfaces are looking dirty, stained, or overgrown with mold, you might be thinking: “I need to get this pressure washed.”
But here’s the thing—not everything is meant to be pressure washed.
Some surfaces need a gentler touch, and that’s where soft washing comes in.
At Press Seal, we get asked this all the time:
“What’s the difference between pressure washing and soft washing?”
Let’s break it down so you know exactly what your home needs.
💦 Pressure Washing
High-powered cleaning for tough surfaces like concrete, driveways, and pavers. Great for blasting away dirt, grime, and stains
What Is Pressure Washing?
Pressure washing uses high-pressure water to blast away dirt, grime, mold, and buildup. It’s great for tough, durable surfaces like:
Driveways
Pavers
Concrete sidewalks
Pool decks
Brick/Concrete walls
This method is powerful and efficient, but it’s not ideal for everything—especially more delicate surfaces.
🌿 Soft Washing
Low-pressure cleaning with a bleach-based solution—perfect for stucco, siding, and roofs. Kills mold and algae without surface damage.
What Is Soft Washing?
Soft washing uses low pressure combined with specialized cleaning solutions to gently remove dirt, mold, algae, and stains. It’s the safe choice for surfaces like:
Stucco homes
Vinyl siding
Roofs
Screens and enclosures
Wood fencing and decks
Instead of relying on pressure, soft washing uses biodegradable detergents to break down organic growth and buildup—then rinses it away with a soft spray.
Why Using the Right Method Matters
Using the wrong method can do more harm than good. For example:
Pressure washing a roof can damage shingles or strip protective layers.
Spraying a stucco house too hard can crack the surface or push water into the walls.
But using soft wash on concrete may not fully remove heavy buildup or deep stains.
That’s why we always assess your surfaces before recommending a service.
Our Approach at Press Seal
We’re not just here to “spray and go.” We take the time to evaluate your property and recommend the right solution. Sometimes it’s pressure washing, sometimes soft washing—and sometimes a combo of both.
The goal is simple: safely restore your home’s beauty without damaging a thing.
Have questions about your property?
We’d be happy to walk you through it.
👉 Get a free quote or book your service here and let’s bring your home back to life the right way.