What is softwashing?
Softwashing is a house washing method that uses low water pressure and a cleaning solution to do the work, instead of blasting the surface. It breaks down dirt, mildew, green algae and organic staining so everything rinses away safely — and because the solution kills the growth rather than just knocking the top layer off, the house stays cleaner for longer.
Softwashing vs. power washing your house
A lot of people search for "power washing" when they want their house cleaned. On siding, high pressure can do real damage: it forces water behind vinyl panels, strips paint and stain, and etches soft brick, mortar and stucco. We save high pressure for concrete and equipment, and wash houses the soft way.
What we clean
- Vinyl and aluminum siding
- Brick, stone and stucco
- Soffits, fascia and the outside of eavestroughs
- Trim, window frames and doors
- Fences, sheds and outbuildings
Why homeowners book a house wash
- Green streaks and mildew on the shaded or north side of the house
- Getting ready to sell — a clean exterior makes a better first impression in listing photos
- Spring and fall clean-ups after a season of dust, pollen, spider webs and road grime
- Homes near the lake and fields, where moisture and dust build up faster
How a softwash works
We walk the house with you first. Then we soak your grass, gardens and shrubs with plain water, apply the house-wash solution at low pressure, give it time to work, and rinse the house top to bottom. Before we leave, we water all the plants and lawn again. Our truck carries its own water, so we don't need to run your outdoor tap all afternoon.
What we use — and how we protect your plants
Our house-wash solution is SH (sodium hypochlorite, the same active ingredient as pool chlorine), diluted with water and mixed with a surfactant that helps it cling to the siding long enough to work. It's what kills mildew and algae at the root instead of just knocking the top layer off.
Because it's chlorine-based, we take plant protection seriously. Every plant, shrub and patch of grass near the house is soaked with plain water before we start and watered again when we're done. That dilutes any runoff to the point it won't harm them.
Common questions
Is it good to soft wash your house?
Yes. Softwashing removes dirt, mildew and algae without the risks of high pressure — no water forced behind siding, no stripped paint, no etched brick.
Will softwashing damage my siding?
No — that's the point of softwashing. Low pressure and the right solution clean the surface without forcing water behind panels or stripping finishes.
How long does a soft wash last on a house?
It depends on shade, moisture and what's around your home, but because softwashing kills mildew and algae at the root, a house typically stays clean noticeably longer than one that was only rinsed or pressure washed. Many homeowners book once a year or every other year.
What do you use to soft wash a house?
A diluted SH (sodium hypochlorite) solution — the same active ingredient as pool chlorine — mixed with a surfactant so it clings to the siding. It kills mildew and algae rather than just rinsing the surface.
Is it safe for my plants, lawn and pets?
Yes, when it's done properly. We soak all plants, shrubs and grass with plain water before we start and water them again when we're done, which dilutes any runoff to the point it won't harm them. Keep pets inside until we've finished rinsing.
How much does house washing cost?
Every house is quoted individually, based on size, height, siding type and how much buildup there is. Call or email with your address and we'll give you a straight price.
Do I need to be home?
Not necessarily. As long as we can reach the house and you've told us about anything to watch out for, we can get the job done while you're out.
Service area
Based in Wheatley, we serve Wheatley, Leamington, Kingsville, Essex, Lakeshore, Windsor, Tilbury, Chatham, Blenheim and Ridgetown, plus the rest of Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent.