Easy 8 Step Guide to Soft Washing Your Home in Florida
Ready to learn how to soft wash a house? Cleaning the outside of your house might sound tough, but soft washing your house is easy if you use the right method and is a simple way to clean your home without damaging it. This gentle cleaning uses low pressure and special cleaners to get rid of dirt, mildew, algae, cob webs and remove mud dauber nests. Here are eight simple steps to follow from a professional house washing company.
Step 1: Safety First
You’ll be using chemicals and might need to climb a ladder, so it’s important to be safe. Before you start, you will want to wear goggles, gloves, protective clothing to cover your skin and don’t mind getting bleached. Also a good pair of shoes or boots that are water proof and won’t slip.
Step 2: Gather Your Tools
Here’s what you need for a good house soft wash:
A soft wash system or a low-pressure washer. You can use a pump-up sprayer, electric 12-volt sprayer system, or an electric or gas powered pressure washer with a downstream chemical injector.
Sodium Hypochlorite (SH), also known as bleach, which will kill the mildew bacteria, algae, and break down dirt on the side of your home. It will also help to break the surface tension of the cob web on the soffit, facia, and walls.
A garden hose with variable nozzle to change between spray patterns, or pressure washer for rinsing with fresh water.
Safety gear as listed above in Step 1
Ladders, step stools, or long range nozzles that can reach up 2 stories if you need to reach high places
Having everything ready before you start makes the job easier and will cut down the time it will take to soft wash your house.
Step 3: Get Ready to Soft Wash
Make sure nothing gets damaged around your house. Move anything away from the surroundings of your home that you do not want to get wet by the chemicals or water to protect them from the spray.
remove door mats.
Cover electronics and outlets.
remove or cover furniture and decorations.
Go around and check that all windows and doors are tightly closed.
Step 4: Let’s Mix Up Our House Soft Wash Detergents
Mixing your cleaning solution is straightforward. Start by combining three parts water with one part bleach in your pump sprayer or 12-volt spraying system. If you’re using standard pool chlorine, which typically has a 10.5% Sodium Hypochlorite (SH) concentration, this will result in a cleaning solution of about 2.63%.
This mixture should effectively clean your house without causing damage. However, always test a small, hidden area before applying it widely. If your home’s exterior has been overlooked for over a year, you might encounter thicker layers of mildew and algae, requiring several applications of the cleaning solution.
Pro Tip: Adding a splash of dish soap enhances the mixture’s effectiveness as a surfactant, helping the detergent cling better to vertical surfaces and aiding in the breakdown of organic growth during the dwell time.
Here’s a chart to guide you in adjusting the SH to water ratio if a stronger solution is necessary.
Sodium Hypochlorite Parts | Water Parts | Resulting Concentration (%) |
1 | 0 | 10.50 |
1 | 1 | 5.25 |
1 | 2 | 3.50 |
1 | 3 | 2.63 |
1 | 4 | 2.10 |
1 | 5 | 1.75 |
1 | 6 | 1.50 |
1 | 7 | 1.31 |
1 | 8 | 1.17 |
1 | 9 | 1.05 |
1 | 10 | 0.95 |
Using a pressure washer with a downstream injector simplifies the process of applying your cleaning solution and will speed up the time it takes to soft wash a house. Simply place the injector’s chemical tube directly into your chemical jug without diluting the Sodium Hypochlorite (SH). When you switch to your soap tip, the pressure in your hose decreases. This activates the venturi effect, pulling the cleaning solution up through the chemical tube and out through your pressure washer wand. The water from your pressure washer naturally dilutes the detergents as they mix in the hose. Typically, downstream injectors output a chemical concentration of about 1-2% from the washer’s wand depending on the brand injector and Gallon Per Minute pressure washer you are using.
Step 5: Start Apply your Soft Wash Chemicals
Before beginning, as an added precaution thoroughly wet any surrounding landscaping and bushes to protect them from potential chemical overspray. Spray the cleaner onto your house, tackling one section at a time. It’s important to ensure that the detergents do not dry on the surfaces, especially on windows or garage doors, as this can cause staining or damage. After applying the cleaner, let it sit for a few minutes to effectively break down the dirt and algae but monitor closely to prevent drying. If you encounter particularly stubborn stains, a second application may be necessary; however, always rinse well between applications to assess the need accurately.
Step 6: Wait a Bit – Dwell Time is Key to Successfully Soft Washing a House
Let the cleaner sit for about 3-5 minutes. This gives it time to break down the dirt and mildew so it will easy rinse off with low pressure washer. How long you wait depends on the strength of the cleaner you’re using. While you are waiting it is a good time to rinse off shrubs and scrub any dirt dauber nests to remove their stain.
Step 7: Rinse It Off
Now, rinse off the cleaner with your hose or washer, set to a gentle flow, you DO NOT need high pressure. Start from the top and go down to make sure you get all the cleaner, dirt and cob webs off.
Step 8: Check Your Work
Look over your house. If you see spots you missed, or if they need a 2nd application clean those areas again. This makes sure your house is as clean as it can be.
Now Your Home Looks Great!
Soft washing is a great way to clean your house and keep it safe from damage. By following these steps, and taking your time you can make you home look clean and fresh. It’s a perfect project for a sunny Florida day!
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How much does it cost to soft wash a house?
The cost of soft washing a house can vary based on several factors, including the size of your home, its location and the condition of the exterior. Generally, homeowners can expect to pay between $200 to $600 for a professional soft wash. In Florida, where the climate can lead to more frequent build-ups of mold and mildew, regular maintenance might be necessary, and signing up for a yearly cleaning plan would lower the cost. Some companies also charge based on the square footage of the home, ranging from $0.10 to $0.30 per square foot. Always check with local services to get accurate estimates and find out if there are any additional costs for extra services like roof cleaning or addressing particularly tough stains. For an accurate quote fill out our fast and easy online form, we will send you over a detailed quote to soft wash the exterior of your home today!
