Soft Washing
Soft Washing from Dirty South Power Wash, based in Horley: dirt, algae, mould and staining cleared at low pressure with biodegradable solutions that treat the growth at its source. The first step is a free, no-obligation quote.
Soft washing uses low pressure and eco-friendly, biodegradable solutions to clean delicate or growth-covered surfaces without the force of a pressure washer. It effectively removes dirt, algae, mould and staining while treating the growth at its source, so surfaces stay cleaner for longer.
What we clean
- Low-pressure, surface-safe cleaning
- Eco-friendly, biodegradable solutions
- Removes dirt, algae, mould and staining
- Treats growth at the source for a longer-lasting finish
How it works
- 1 Identify the growth and the substrate
Green algae, black lichen, red algae and mould all respond differently, and render, K-rend, painted masonry, timber, cladding and PVC all take the treatment differently. Both halves have to be right before anything is mixed.
- 2 Test patch somewhere out of the way
On painted and rendered surfaces especially, a small area should be tried first to see how it reacts. It costs ten minutes and it is the difference between a clean elevation and a patchy one.
- 3 Pre-wet the planting and cover what needs covering
Beds and borders want watering before anything is mixed so nothing takes the solution neat, and anything nearby that should not get wet wants covering. This is most of the actual work on a soft wash.
- 4 Apply at low pressure and let it dwell
The solution does the cleaning, not the machine. It goes on gently, then it needs time on the surface. Rushing the dwell is the usual reason a soft wash looks streaky.
- 5 Rinse or leave to weather, then check back over
Some surfaces get rinsed down, some are better left for the rain to finish, and it depends on the product and the material. We tell you which one applies to yours and what it will look like in a fortnight.
A soft wash keeps clearing after we leave. The colour lifts on the day and the rest weathers off over the following days and weeks, so it is worth not judging it the same afternoon.
Other services
Driveway Cleaning
Remove dirt, moss, algae and stains from block paving, concrete and paved driveways.
Learn more
Patio Cleaning
Lift years of built-up dirt, algae and black spots from patios and paving.
Learn more
Roof Cleaning
Complete moss removal and roof cleaning, using soft washing or pressure washing.
Learn moreReal results
Soft Washing: before & after
Genuine before and after results from recent jobs across Surrey, Sussex and Kent.
Our work
Soft Washing in action
Recent jobs from around Surrey, Sussex and Kent.
Customer reviews
What our customers say
Dirty South Power Wash were absolutely fantastic from start to finish. They're extremely friendly, professional, and reliable, making the whole process completely stress free. I had my decking soft washed and the results were amazing, it genuinely looks like new and has been brought back to life. You can really tell they take pride in their work and pay attention to detail. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them to anyone and will definitely be using their services again in the future!
No fuss, just excellent - from start to finish. Friendly to deal with, clear communication all the way, came when they said they would, did an excellent job. Would use again without a doubt.
Great service, really pleased with our garage roof. All the moss has gone and left nice and tidy. Great guys too. Thanks!
Did a fantastic job on a garage roof clean/moss removal, looks good as new! friendly & professional highly recommend 👏🏼
Really pleased with our driveway😊
They done an amazing job and great price
Good to know
Soft Washing: your questions answered
When should I choose soft washing instead of pressure washing?
Whenever the surface is more delicate than the dirt on it. Render, painted masonry, pebbledash, timber cladding, tile hanging, PVC, cladding panels, conservatory roofs and most roof coverings all fall into that category, and pressure damages every one of them. Soft washing cleans with a biocidal solution at very low pressure, so the chemistry does the work and the surface is not asked to resist anything.
What surfaces can be soft washed?
Render including modern silicone and thin-coat systems, painted masonry, pebbledash, brickwork, timber cladding and weatherboarding, fencing, tile hanging, roofs, conservatory roofs and glazing bars, PVC, composite cladding, garden walls and outbuildings. In practice, if a pressure washer would damage it, it is a soft washing job. The substrate gets identified before anything is mixed.
Does the weather affect soft washing?
Yes, more than it affects pressure washing. The solution needs time on the surface to work, so heavy rain immediately after application washes it off before it has done its job, and hard frost is worth avoiding. Light rain afterwards is often helpful, because it rinses the dead growth away. A treatment put on into weather that will waste it is money down the drain, so that visit is better moved.
Will soft washing bleach or lighten my brickwork or render?
It should not, and a test patch is the way to be sure. On painted, rendered and coloured surfaces a small area out of sight shows how the coating reacts before anyone commits to a full elevation, because older paintwork and coatings can behave unpredictably. What often surprises people is that the wall looks lighter afterwards simply because years of even grime have come off.
How long does a soft wash last?
Longer than a pressure wash on the same surface, because the growth is killed at the root instead of knocked off the top. How long is decided by drying time: a wall that gets good sun dries quickly and stays clear, while a north elevation in permanent shade never dries and starts regrowing sooner. Aspect and overhanging cover matter far more than the product does.
Need soft washing?
Free, no-obligation quotes across Surrey, Sussex and Kent. Send a few photos and we will do the rest.