Soft washing cleans the outside of a building with a cleaning solution and a gentle, low-pressure rinse instead of a hard jet of water. Shine City Pressure Washing is based in Surrey and soft washes roofs, siding, stucco, cedar, decks and fences for homeowners, stratas and businesses across Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley. We are 5-star rated with 300+ Google reviews.
Questions? Call (604) 229-5354.
Table of Contents
What Is Soft Washing?
With soft washing, the cleaning solution does the work and the water only carries it away. The solution goes on at low pressure, usually under 500 PSI, which is far closer to a garden hose than to a pressure washer. It is left to sit on the surface, then rinsed off gently.
Professional soft wash solutions typically combine surfactants, which help the mix cling to walls and soak into porous material, with biocides that kill moss, algae, lichen and mildew rather than just knocking off the part you can see. It also lifts the black streaks on shingles and the dull film left by road dust and pollution. For a longer explanation, read what soft washing is and how it works.
Soft Washing vs. Pressure Washing: When Each Is Right
Pressure washing cleans with the force of the water. Soft washing cleans with chemistry. Each belongs on different surfaces.
- Soft washing is the right call for anything high pressure can harm: roofs, siding of every type, stucco, painted surfaces, wood fences and composite decking. Too much force can crack stucco, splinter wood, peel paint and push water in behind siding.
- Pressure washing is the right call for hard, durable surfaces such as concrete driveways, sidewalks, patios, exposed aggregate and pavers.
Most homes need both, and we often do both in one visit: a soft wash for the house, roof and fence, and pressure washing for the driveway and walkways. See our full comparison of pressure washing vs soft washing.
Surfaces We Soft Wash
- Roofs: asphalt shingles, cedar shakes and tile. Low pressure clears moss and black algae streaks without loosening granules or lifting shingle edges. See our roof cleaning service.
- Siding: vinyl, stucco, fibre cement (Hardie board) and wood. This is the method behind our house washing service.
- Cedar: siding, shakes and shingles are cleaned without splintering the wood fibres or raising the grain.
- Painted surfaces, trim, soffits and fascia: mould and algae come off without chipping or peeling the finish.
- Decks and fences: wood, vinyl and composite.
- Commercial and strata buildings: storefronts, facades and multi-unit complexes.
Our Soft Washing Process, Step by Step
- Assessment. A technician checks what each surface is made of, what is growing on it and how heavily, and notes anything fragile such as loose paint or failing caulking.
- Protection. Nearby plants and garden beds are soaked with fresh water, and delicate plants are covered where needed. Windows and doors are closed.
- Application. The solution is applied at low pressure and mixed for the surface. A roof gets a different strength than vinyl siding or a wood deck.
- Dwell time. The solution sits for roughly 10 to 20 minutes, depending on how heavy the buildup is, while it breaks the bond between the growth and the surface.
- Low-pressure rinse. We rinse from the top down to carry away the loosened growth and the remaining solution.
- Final check and plant rinse. We inspect the work, touch up any missed spots and rinse the landscaping once more.
How Long Results Last and How Often to Repeat
On surfaces where moss, algae or mildew is the problem, a soft wash outlasts a pressure-only clean. Pressure removes the visible growth but tends to leave the roots in place, so it comes back sooner.
In our damp climate we suggest soft washing a home every one to two years. Shade and nearby trees shorten that interval: north-facing and heavily shaded walls may need attention every year, while walls that get plenty of sun can often go two. The work can be done in any season, because the solution, not warm weather, does the cleaning.
Is Soft Washing Safe for Plants, Pets and Paint?
Plants. Soft wash solutions can harm plants if they are handled carelessly, which is why protection is built into every job. We wet down vegetation before we start, cover sensitive plants where needed, apply the solution at controlled, low concentrations and rinse the landscaping again afterward.
Pets. Pets are kept indoors while we work, and every treated surface is rinsed before we leave.
Paint. Low pressure is what protects a painted finish, since there is no jet of water to chip or peel it. A soft wash is also good preparation for repainting; allow 24 to 48 hours for the surface to dry first.
Shine City is fully insured and carries WCB coverage.
Soft Washing Pricing
There is no single price for a soft wash. Your quote depends on the surface material, how much area there is to treat, the height of the building and how easy it is to reach, and how heavy the growth is.
Our soft washing cost guide explains each of those factors in detail. Quotes are free, written and come with no obligation to book.
Soft Washing by City
Choose your city for local details:
- Soft washing in Surrey
- Soft washing in Vancouver
- Soft washing in Langley
- Soft washing in Burnaby
- Soft washing in Richmond
- Soft washing in Delta
- Soft washing in White Rock
- Soft washing in New Westminster
- Soft washing in Coquitlam
- Soft washing in Port Coquitlam
- Soft washing in Port Moody
- Soft washing in North Vancouver
- Soft washing in Maple Ridge
- Soft washing in Pitt Meadows
- Soft washing in Abbotsford
Not on the list? We also work in West Vancouver, Chilliwack and Mission. Contact us and we will confirm your address.
Frequently Asked Questions About Soft Washing
Is soft washing safe for my siding?
Yes. It was developed for surfaces that cannot take high pressure, including vinyl, stucco, cedar, fibre cement and painted siding.
Can soft washing remove the black streaks on my roof?
Yes. Those streaks are an algae growing on the shingles, not a permanent stain. A roof soft wash kills it and slows its return, without the granule loss that high pressure causes on asphalt shingles.
Can you soft wash in winter?
Yes. Winters here are mild, and moss and algae stay active through the wet months, so there is no need to wait for spring if your siding or roof has turned green.
Do I need to be home?
No. If we can reach the property and an outdoor water tap, we can do the work while you are out, and we send before-and-after photos.
Is soft washing just pressure washing turned down?
No. Turning a pressure washer down and spraying water at a wall does very little. Soft washing uses different equipment and purpose-made solutions, and the cleaning comes from the solution.
Can I combine soft washing with other services?
Yes, and many customers do. The most common pairing is a soft wash with gutter cleaning, so the siding, roofline and gutters are all done in one appointment.
Get a Free Soft Washing Quote
Tell us what you would like cleaned and we will tell you which method suits each surface and what it will cost. Call Shine City Pressure Washing at (604) 229-5354 or request a fast quote online.