How to soft wash a house in 5 steps.
First, let’s clarify the difference between water blasting and soft washing. Both techniques use a water blaster. The difference is in the pressure and products used.
Water blasting is a brute-force washing method. It usually uses only water, which the system forces through a tiny nozzle hole. This produces a strong jet of water at up to 4000 PSI (4000 pounds per square inch). You definitely don't want to point that at your house! Water blasting is better suited to surface preparation and concrete cleaning. Using this pressure to wash your house will likely cause damage. It will force water into the materials you are washing.
Soft washing involves using much lower pressures, below 500 PSI. It is softer and uses a salt-based (sodium) cleaner that does most of the work to cut through grime, dirt, and mould. At the right strength, the salt-based product will make things bright, shiny, and clean. No harsh pressure or excessive brushing.
Instructions for soft washing a house in 5 steps
Step 1 – Get organised with the right equipment; we recommend:
● Hose
● House wash cleaning products:
- Sodium hypochlorite (household bleach). This cuts through green and black mould.
- A surfactant / liquid soap (Selleys Sugar Soap). It cleans more deeply. It leaves windows and paint sparkling. And, it rinses off more easily.
- Water
● Pressure washer (water blaster). Your water blaster must have a venturi system. It is needed to suck your house wash solution through the high-pressure hose. Check for a small nozzle or small clear hose attached to your water blasting unit. Set up the water blaster. Attach it to your hose as per the manufacturer's instructions.
● Soft wash nozzle to attach to the end of the gun to ensure gentle pressure. We recommend fitting this to the gun before you start to ensure it is the correct nozzle for your water blaster.
● You may also need a ladder to apply the cleaning product to higher up areas.
● Safety glasses and gloves.
Step 2 – Get your house prepared
● Ensure there is no washing on the line, or it could get bleached or wet. Also, remove any shoes, doormats, or anything else you don’t want bleached or wet.
● If you have potted plants or furniture close to the house, moving them away from the house is a good idea.
● Go around and check that all windows and doors are tightly closed. If your windows and doors are old (particularly if they are wooden). It’s a good idea to put towels down in case they leak.
● If you have cats or dogs, ensure they are inside or in a place where they feel safe. Water blasters can be noisy, which can scare pets. So, we advise ensuring your fur baby feels safe and secure. The same goes for other animals, like cats, pet birds, and cute guinea pigs or bunnies.
● If you have fish ponds close to the house, you should cover them.
Step 3 - Apply the cleaning product
Mix up your cleaning product: 1 part household bleach, 1 part water. For every 1 litre of mixed solution, add 100 ml of sugar soap.
Use the chemical nozzle on your gun to apply the product through the venturi of your water blaster. Start at the bottom of the house and work your way up to the outside of the gutters. This will stop dirt and soap from running down onto areas that are still dry, which could cause streaking.
Only apply the cleaning product to one section of your house at a time. Make sure you leave it long enough so that it has time to work but so that it doesn’t have enough time to dry before you rinse it. It is best to clean each side of the house during times when the sun is not shining directly on it.
Step 4 – Start soft washing
Gently wash the surfaces with the water blaster and soft nozzle. Start at the place you first applied your cleaning product. Then, continue around in the same direction you applied it.
First, wash the outside of the gutters. Then, move down to the soffits, the cladding, the baseboard, and finally, the window frames.
Important tips and techniques to avoid damage
● Hold the spray gun with two hands at all times.
● Always keep the nozzle about 30 centimetres from the surface.
● Spray at an 85° angle, and never spray underneath horizontal cladding.
● Spray from side to side at a consistent speed.
● When washing the window frames, doors, or any cavities, angle the spray away from the cavity. This will prevent water from leaking in.
Step 5 – Do a walk around
Lastly, do a walk-around to check for any missed areas. If you have areas that are not cleaning up, try applying the cleaning product again. Leave it for 15 minutes or so, and then soft wash the area again.
That’s it; you’re all complete.
If the high parts are hard to clean, we can help, even if it is by offering advice. Or if you would like us to do the work for you, we can provide an obligation FREE quote.
We also have a few little tricks to keep areas prone to mould clean for longer.
TIPS
Where to source the cleaning product
You can buy your house wash cleaning product from most hardware stores. Not all products are equal. So, check the label for ingredients. Some are diluted and don't clean well. If you're struggling to clean the surface, contact us. The product we use is commercial grade and works wonders.
Where to source the cleaning nozzles?
You can buy soft washing nozzles from the hardware store. Different coloured nozzles serve various purposes. So, read the instructions carefully. Make sure you buy a nozzle that does only soft washing.
Ladder safety
If you are not using an A-frame ladder, have someone hold it while you are on it for safety. You should also position your ladder at a 75° angle against the wall. The golden rule when you are going up or down is to ensure that you maintain three points of contact. You must always have one hand and a foot on the ladder when you raise your foot to step up or down to the next rung.
We do not advise using the water blaster while standing on the ladder. This is an excellent resource for ladder safety.
HOT TIP! Use a blue nozzle to apply cleaning product to high areas of your house. This avoids heights and using a ladder whenever possible.
