Blog · 7 min read
How Soft Washing Works (And Why It's Safer Than Pressure Washing)
Soft washing uses chemistry instead of brute force to kill algae and mildew at the root. Here's exactly how the process works.
What Is Soft Washing?
Soft washing is a professional exterior cleaning method that uses low pressure — often less than a standard garden hose — combined with a biodegradable cleaning solution to break down organic growth like algae, mildew, mold and bacteria at the root.
Instead of blasting stains off a surface, soft washing dissolves them. The result is a deeper, longer-lasting clean that doesn't damage delicate surfaces like painted siding, stucco, roof shingles or wood.
The Chemistry Behind Soft Washing
The foundation of every soft wash is sodium hypochlorite — the same active ingredient in common household bleach, but at a professional dilution and paired with surfactants that help the solution cling to vertical surfaces.
Sodium hypochlorite kills algae, mildew and bacteria on contact. Surfactants keep the mixture in place long enough to work. A final rinse washes away the dead organic matter, leaving the surface visibly cleaner and biologically sanitized.
Why Soft Washing Lasts Longer
Standard pressure washing removes what you can see but leaves the microscopic root system of algae and mildew intact. Within weeks, the growth returns.
Soft washing kills the root, so re-growth is dramatically slower. Most Louisiana homes stay visibly clean for 12–24 months after a professional soft wash — 4× to 6× longer than a pressure-only clean.
Surfaces That Should Always Be Soft Washed
Roof shingles, stucco, EIFS, painted wood siding, cedar shakes, vinyl siding, screen enclosures, pool cages and window frames must be soft washed. High pressure will damage every one of these surfaces.
Landscape Protection
The right soft wash crew soaks landscaping with fresh water before, during and after every application. Runoff is neutralized and diluted. Done properly, soft washing is completely landscape-safe.
How to Hire the Right Soft Wash Company
Look for a fully insured local company that uses the sodium hypochlorite soft wash method, protects landscaping, and provides written quotes. Ask how they mix and apply their solution — if they can't explain it, keep looking.
Wild West Washing LLC serves Hammond, Covington and all of Southeast Louisiana. Every job is fully insured and backed by a satisfaction guarantee.