Guide
Soft Washing vs. Pressure Washing
Short answer: soft wash the house and roof, pressure wash the concrete.
★ 5.0 on Google · 61 reviewsGet a fixed, written quote.
Tell us what you need. We'll call with a fixed, written price, confirmed before any work begins.
Christmas lights? Use the Christmas light quote form.
Prefer to talk? Call (202) 505-3391 or send a text.
Soft washing cleans with low pressure and a cleaning solution that breaks down mold, algae and mildew where they grow, then rinses them away gently. It is the right method for vinyl siding, Hardie board, stucco, EIFS (Dryvit), painted wood, brick and asphalt shingle roofs.
Pressure washing uses high-pressure water to remove dirt, grime, algae and stains from hard surfaces. It is the right method for concrete driveways, sidewalks, patios, pavers, steps and pool decks, with the pressure set for each surface.
Using high pressure on the wrong surface causes damage: it can crack vinyl siding, lift shingles, strip paint, etch soft wood and force water behind siding. Black streaks on a roof are algae (Gloeocapsa magma), which soft washing treats at the source.
Most homes in Northern Virginia need both: a soft wash for the house and roof, and pressure washing for the driveway, walks and patio. Green Zebra Exterior Cleaning does both, and you get a fixed, written price confirmed before any work begins.
Service areas · Pressure Washing · Soft Washing · Window Cleaning · Gutter Cleaning · Christmas Lights
Common questions.
Is soft washing safe for brick?
Yes. Soft washing is the preferred method for brick and stone because it cleans organic growth and staining without high pressure on the mortar joints.
Can you pressure wash vinyl siding?
It is not recommended. High pressure can crack vinyl and drive water behind the panels. Soft washing cleans vinyl siding safely.
What removes black streaks on a roof?
The streaks are usually algae. A low-pressure roof soft wash kills it at the source; pressure washing a shingle roof can lift shingles.