"Pressure washing" gets used as a catch-all, but using the wrong method on the wrong surface is how people crack siding, gouge wood, and strip shingles. Here's the plain-English difference.
Pressure washing = high pressure, hard surfaces
This is what most people picture: a strong jet of water blasting grime off concrete driveways, sidewalks, patios, and pavers. On hard, durable surfaces it's fast and effective. On anything softer, that same pressure does damage.
Soft washing = low pressure, everything delicate
Soft washing uses gentle, garden-hose-level pressure plus specialized cleaning solutions that break down algae and mildew at the root. It's the right — and manufacturer-recommended — method for house siding, roofs, screens, and painted surfaces. Because it kills the growth instead of just rinsing it, the results also last much longer.
A quick cheat sheet
- Driveway, patio, sidewalk, pavers → pressure washing
- Vinyl, brick, or Hardie siding → soft wash (house washing)
- Asphalt shingle roof → soft wash only (roof washing)
- Wood deck or fence → low pressure + care
The good news: you don't have to figure it out. We match the method to each surface on every job — pressure washing where it helps, soft washing where it's safer. Get a free quote below.