What is Soft Washing?

Soft washing, as the name suggests, is a softer and lower pressure wash technique. Typically speaking, a soft wash uses low-pressure water mixed with a cleaning chemical.

While a high-pressure wash relies primarily on the water to blast away grime, dirt, and other impurities, soft washing is a gentler wash that offers a deeper clean.

High-pressure washing is highly effective but can be too hard on specific surfaces and can sometimes cause damage. High-pressure washing blasts off impurities, while soft washing, with mixed chemicals, removes dirt and impurities without using damaging force.

A correct blend of soft washing chemicals will kill algae, moss, and lichens down to their roots so that they don’t grow back later. To learn more about the benefits of soft washing, the tools we use, and how it can better suit your needs, visit our Youtube channel.

What are the benefits of soft washing?

Power washing blasts off impurities. This high-pressure water is perfect for tough surfaces like concrete but can blast off the paint on buildings and cause damage to a roof, especially on older structures. Soft washing uses a cleaning agent and is the preferred method for surfaces needing a gentler cleaning method. The cleaning products used in soft washing help to remove algae, lichens, and other substances.

Soft Washing Perks

Soft washing still uses pressured water, just not with enough pressure to cause damage. The cleaning agents added to the water help clean the building instead of blasting off the dirt.

Roofs with algae and lichen buildup should be soft-washed as the roof may not stand up to a high-pressure wash, especially roofs with asphalt shingles. The chemicals used in soft washing will kill the algae’s roots so that they won’t return.

Soft Washing With A Downstream Injector

Using a downstream injector for soft washing a building is likely the most effective. A downstream injector is an attachment to a pressure washer that uses the Venturi effect to draw soap into the water pressure hose allowing for the application of detergents under low pressure. It is highly effective and standard equipment that professional water pressure cleaners generally have on hand! They are used to avoid using cleaning solutions that would damage the pressure pump.

Soft Washing With a Diaphragm Pump

Diaphragm pumps for soft washing come in two varieties; a gas-powered model and one 12 V-powered one. They can allow for a much higher concentration of detergents or bleach than downstream injectors that can only draw up to 10:1 at the very most. Diaphragm pumps can pull highly concentrated solutions directly through the pump.

The J-Rod Attachment

The J-Rod attachment is a clever and inexpensive tool for anyone to perform soft washing. It’s a small tool of four welded-together nozzles with varying sizes and angles.

You simply pull the J-Rod attachment off the end of the wand and put it back on for your desired nozzle.

This multi-tool attachment has two tips for soap cleaning and two for rinsing. As mentioned, it’s a very inexpensive solution perfect for small jobs, but it has its issues. The main problem is that you must constantly remove it to switch the nozzle. 

The X-Jet Method

The X-Jet is a good combination method nozzle. It has an adjustable spray pattern allowing for close-range and long-range application. The device pulls chemicals at a very high ratio for pressure cleaning, which is relatively inexpensive and easy to use. You can adjust the nozzle on the X-Jet by twisting, much like your average garden hose nozzle attachment. Just twist for your desired power rinse or cleaning mode.

The X-Jet can draw lots of chemicals into its spray, but because of its relatively short hose, users will need to carry containers of cleaning solution with them on the job. However, the jet can spray quite a long distance!

Key Takeaways:

• Soft washing is an excellent alternative to pressure washing.
• The cleaning agents in soft washing achieve a deeper clean. 
• Soft washing offers a gentler clean for surfaces that can be damaged by pressure washing.
• The X-Jet is the preferred soft washing equipment for a combination clean.

Find Powerful Soft Washing Tools

Soft washing is an excellent alternative to power washing. There are many great techniques and tools available that can help you choose the method best suited for the job. It can also be the perfect alternative if you get rid of certain types of dirt or tackle gentler surfaces requiring a deeper clean. 

If you want to learn more about pressure washing or soft washing techniques, the experts at PowerWash.com are here for you. Visit our site today, and find the perfect power or soft washing tools.