Soft washing is a low-pressure clean that uses a cleaning solution to kill algae, mold, and mildew at the root, then rinses it off, rather than scrubbing by force the way standard high-PSI pressure washing does. Fort Lauderdale Pressure Washing, rated 5.0 from 13 Google reviews, applies it to roofs, screened enclosures, and painted siding — surfaces that driveway-strength pressure would damage.
Soft washing swaps pressure for chemistry: a low-PSI application of a cleaning solution breaks down algae and mold at the surface, then a light rinse carries it away, instead of trying to blast it off with force. That distinction matters most on roof tiles, shingles, screened pool enclosures, and painted siding — surfaces that a standard pressure washer would crack, dent, or strip if it were aimed at them the way a driveway gets treated.
Fort Lauderdale Pressure Washing runs soft washing as its default method on anything vertical or overhead, reserving full pressure for flat hardscape like concrete and pavers.
What actually is soft washing?
It's a two-step process: apply a biocide-based solution that kills algae and mold spores below the visible surface, let it sit, then rinse at low pressure. Killing the roots is why soft-washed surfaces stay cleaner longer than a straight pressure blast, which only removes what's on top and leaves the roots to regrow.
What surfaces need soft washing instead of a pressure blast?
Anything the material can't take full PSI without damage, or where the wrong pressure voids a warranty outright, gets soft washed instead of pressure washed. Concrete, pavers, and other flat hardscape don't have that restriction, which is why they're handled as pressure-washing jobs instead.
- Roof shingles and tile
- Screened pool enclosures
- Painted or stuccoed siding
- Soffits and fascia boards
Will soft washing actually kill the algae, or just rinse it away?
The solution is formulated to kill algae and mold spores, not just wash away the visible film, which is why soft-washed surfaces take longer to streak again than a plain rinse would. Rinsing alone removes the top layer but leaves the roots to grow back.
Can soft washing be used on my driveway?
It can, but it's usually unnecessary there — driveways are flat, take full PSI without damage, and get cleaner faster from straight pressure washing. Soft washing is reserved for surfaces that can't handle that pressure.
When can I book a soft wash?
Fort Lauderdale Pressure Washing is open Monday through Saturday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, for scheduling and service. Roof and enclosure jobs are generally scheduled for dry, low-wind conditions to keep the solution on the surface it's meant to treat.