House Washing and Soft Washing
in Charleston, SC

Soft washing is a low-pressure exterior cleaning method that uses a specialized cleaning solution to kill mold, mildew, algae, and bacteria at the root, then rinses at roughly garden-hose pressure. It usually runs well under 500 PSI at the surface, versus the 2,000 to 4,000 PSI of a standard pressure washer. The chemistry does the cleaning and the water only rinses, which is why it is safe on siding, stucco, and shingles.

House washing describes the job (cleaning the exterior of your home) and pressure washing describes one method of doing it. On siding we almost always use soft washing, which is low pressure plus cleaning solution. High pressure is appropriate for concrete and other hard surfaces, but on siding it can crack vinyl, strip paint, and force water behind the boards.

Most single-story homes around 2,000 square feet fall in the $325 to $425 range, and two-story or larger custom homes run higher. Price depends on square footage, number of stories, siding material, how heavy the organic growth is, and access. We give free written quotes with the work line-itemed, so you know exactly what is included before we start.

No. Soft washing is specifically the method used to avoid the damage high pressure causes. Because we apply the solution at low pressure and rinse gently, there is no force driving water behind the siding and nothing cracking aging vinyl or stripping paint from trim. It is the method siding manufacturers point to for exactly this reason.

A properly soft-washed Charleston home usually stays visibly mildew-free for 18 to 24 months, though shaded and north-facing walls can start showing growth sooner. A straight pressure wash that never killed the growth at the root is often green again within six months, which is the single most common reason homeowners call us for a re-clean.

Yes, when it is done correctly. We pre-wet all plants, grass, and soil before we start, keep them wet through the wash, and give beds a deep final rinse afterward. Plant protection is a real part of the process, not an afterthought, and it is one of the first things that gets skipped by crews working too fast.

A standard 2,000 square foot single-story home usually takes 2 to 3 hours from setup to final rinse. Two-story homes run 3 to 5 hours, and larger custom homes can be a half-day. We do not rush it, because dwell time is what actually kills the mildew.

No, as long as we have access to an outdoor spigot and anything you do not want wet has been moved, such as patio cushions and uncovered grills. Many customers schedule during the workday and come home to a clean house. We do a walk-through in person or by photo before we leave.