Soft Washing
Soft washing is a gentle but effective way to clean surfaces like roofs, siding, and patios without causing damage. Let us help refresh your home and make it look spotless again!
Soft Washing in Cardiff and Surrounding Areas
Soft washing or soft wash is the most popular way of cleaning exterior surfaces. It is mild, non-aggressive to surfaces and surrounding areas yet very effective.
What Is Soft Washing?
Soft washing is a low-pressure exterior cleaning method that removes algae, moss, mould, and organic staining using specialised cleaning solutions instead of forceful water pressure. Unlike traditional pressure washing, which can damage render, paint, or cladding, soft washing relies on biocidal treatments that break down contamination at the root.
Cardiff Window Cleaner Ltd uses professional soft wash treatments to clean surfaces safely while preventing rapid regrowth. Once the treatment has been applied, rainfall continues to gently wash away remaining residues over time, leaving the surface progressively cleaner.
Soft Washing Services
Cardiff Window Cleaner Ltd provides professional soft washing services across Cardiff and South Wales for both domestic and commercial properties.
Soft washing is most commonly used for:
- K-rend or Render cleaning
- Tarmac cleaning
- Fence cleaning
- Painted wood
- Decking
- Cladding cleaning
- Paved pathways and driveways
- Any other painted surfaces
Each surface is assessed individually so the correct chemical strength, dwell time, and rinse method can be used safely.
Soft Washing Equipment
Cardiff Window Cleaner Ltd uses specialist soft washing equipment designed for controlled low-pressure application. The system includes professional soft wash pumps that apply cleaning solutions evenly across the surface, along with telescopic lances that allow walls and exterior surfaces to be cleaned safely from the ground.
Chemical dilution systems ensure the correct mixture is applied depending on the surface and level of contamination, while specialist nozzles control the pressure so delicate materials such as render, cladding, and painted surfaces are not damaged.
With the right equipment, most exterior surfaces can be treated from ground level up to around 70 feet, allowing the work to be carried out safely while still delivering a deep and effective clean.
What Are the Benefits of Soft Washing?
Soft washing is a great cleaning technique that doesn’t damage surfaces. Unlike power washing or pressure washing, soft washing uses a very weak stream of water mixed with chemicals. Chemicals penetrate the dirt and infections, such as mold, moss and fungi and water washes them away, whilst preventing the future growth for longer.
- British Health and Safety Executive approved chemicals
- Safe for all surfaces
- Safe for your plants and garden
- Kills algae, moss, lichens, moulds and bacteria
- Keeps your surfaces cleaner for longer due to full removal of growth
- Walls can be cleaned from the ground up to 70’.
- Softwashing with biocide stays cleaner for longer
- SAFE Contractor certified.
- Fully insured service.
Difference Between Soft Washing and Power Washing
Soft washing relies on low water pressure combined with specialised cleaning solutions that break down algae, moss, mould, and other organic growth. Instead of blasting the surface clean, the treatment kills the contamination at the root and allows rain to gradually wash away the remaining residue. This method is ideal for delicate surfaces such as render, roofs, painted wood, cladding, and house walls.
Pressure washing (or power washing) uses high-pressure water to physically remove dirt, grease, and surface contamination. It is much stronger and works best on durable materials such as concrete, brick, stone, patios, and driveways where the surface can withstand the pressure.
When Should You Use Soft Washing?
Soft washing is recommended when exterior surfaces are affected by algae, moss, lichen, mould, or organic staining, especially where pressure washing could damage the material. Instead of blasting the surface with high pressure, soft washing uses specialist treatments that remove growth and slow its return.
In damp climates like Cardiff and South Wales, shaded walls and roofs often develop algae and moss quickly. Soft washing removes the growth safely and treats the surface to keep it cleaner for longer.
Soft Washing Before and After
Soft Washing FAQ
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How much does it cost to soft wash a house?
On average, a detached 3-bedroom house wash costs £450. The final price depends on the number of walls, the height of your property, and ease of access.
You can save on costs by only washing the facade, as shown on the left. This red-brick house received a soft wash only on the front-facing wall and the visible part of the roof.
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What chemicals are in soft wash?
Soft washing uses a mixture of chemicals, depending on the surface material and type of contamination. The key ones are:
– professional grade diluted sodium hypochlorite (bleach) – kills organic mold, algae and other organic growth.
– surface acting agents – help other chemicals “stick” to the surface better, help to loosen and penetrate dirt.
– odor maskers – help to disguise bleach smells or get rid of any natural smells of the surface (smoke, urine, garbage).
– neutralising agents – neutralise chemicals after softwashing, important if you have pets running around or want to give you plants an extra layer of protection.
– specialty agents – fight less common contaminations or used to treat some surfaces. Some examples are: wood brightening, moss killing, rust removal and so on.
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How long does soft washing last?
Depending on the surface, results can last for a number of years but each property reacts differently in its environment and every site is different.
You can gauge how long it will last by how long it took the building to develop growths either from new or since it was last cleaned professionally.
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Is soft wash better than pressure washing?
Soft washing cleaning results generally last up to 6x longer than pressure washing alone. Soft washing uses chemicals instead of pressure power to remove dirt. It doesn’t damage the surfaces and also can be used on brick, render and other surfaces that can be ruined by pressure washing.
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How can I save money on house washing?
Be a good neighbour/landlord and organise house washing services for the entire block. Check out the row of terraced houses we cleaned in 2024. We charged £240 per house for both the front and back. If done separately, it would have been £360.
Additional Services We Offer
Roof Cleaning
Many roofing materials require a soft approach to avoid damage during cleaning. Our roof cleaning service uses soft washing to lift grime and organic matter gently. This reduces wear and tear and extends the life of your roof.
Moss Removal
Soft washing is the preferred method for removing delicate biological growth like moss and algae. We provide specialised moss removal services using low-pressure systems that preserve surfaces.
Flexible Working
One off jobs or flexible contract terms to suit all businesses for all our cleaning services.
Safe Contractor
For peace of mind we are Safe Contractor Approved, fully insured and carry out all work to highest standards
Cleaner Cardiff
For cleaner windows, shops, factories and buildings in the Cardiff area - contact us with your requirements.