Residential · Cleaning Method
Soft Washing in Lexington, KY
for Siding, Roofs, Fences, and Decks
Our soft washing service in Lexington puts a cleaning solution on siding, roofs, fences, and decks to kill algae, mold, mildew, and lichen, then rinses it off at low pressure.
Low-Pressure Cleaning Method
Safe for Delicate Exterior Surfaces
Free Estimates
What Is Soft Washing?
Soft washing is a cleaning method that pairs a cleaning solution with a low-pressure rinse to kill organic growth. The solution goes on first and sits long enough to break down algae, mold, mildew, and lichen, and then a gentle rinse carries it away. You may also see it called soft power washing or low-pressure power washing.
We soft wash house siding, roofs, fences, and decks. Our house washing page covers siding and exterior walls, and this page explains the method behind all four surfaces. Gloeocapsa magma, the algae behind black roof streaks, is probably the most common roof algae, according to the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association, and it’s one of the reasons Lexington roofs get soft washed.
- Where we use it: house siding, roofs, fences, and decks
- Solution: diluted sodium hypochlorite with a surfactant, applied first and left to dwell
- Rinse: low pressure, with no hard blasting on delicate surfaces
- Typical cost: $300 to $1,200 in Lexington, depending on the surface
- Guarantee: 30 days, and we re-clean the area free if the same growth returns
Soft Washing vs. Pressure Washing
Both methods clean exterior surfaces, but they’re built for different jobs. Pressure washing depends on high-pressure water alone to strip dirt, mud, and debris from durable materials. Soft washing relies mainly on the cleaning solution to do the work, using only a low-pressure rinse to clear away what’s been broken down.
Soft washing works best on delicate exterior surfaces, where too much pressure could cause damage. Pressure washing is better suited to hard surfaces like concrete, brick, and stone, which can handle higher water pressure. The right method comes down to the material and the type of buildup being removed.
Compared | Pressure washing | Soft washing |
What does the work | High-pressure water | The cleaning solution, with a low-pressure rinse |
Best on | Durable hard surfaces like concrete, brick, and stone | Delicate surfaces like siding, roofs, fences, and decks |
Main risk | Damage on delicate surfaces if the pressure runs too high | Needs the right solution, mix, and dwell time |
What it leaves behind | Surface dirt and debris knocked loose | Algae, mold, and mildew broken down at the source |
When Is Soft Washing Recommended?
Roofs
Soft washing is commonly used on residential roofs to remove algae, moss, and other organic buildup, since high pressure can dislodge the protective granules on asphalt shingles.
Learn more about Roof Cleaning →
House Siding
Many siding materials, including vinyl and painted wood, can crack, chip, or trap moisture if cleaned with too much pressure, so a low-pressure method removes the organic growth without that risk.
Learn more about House Washing →
Why Lexington Homes Need Soft Washing
Lexington is humid and wet, with about 45 to 50 inches of precipitation a year, so shaded walls and roof slopes that get little sun stay damp and feed algae. The city’s 2022 Urban Tree Canopy Assessment found 23% canopy across the Urban Service Area in 2020, and homes under mature trees get the most shade.
Older neighborhoods bring a different problem. Ashland Park is on the National Register of Historic Places and has early 20th century homes in Colonial Revival, Craftsman, and Tudor Revival styles, and homes like these often combine brick, stucco, and painted wood trim on one wall. Each material takes a different cleaning approach, so we identify it first and set the solution to match. We’ve soft washed homes in Ashland Park and other Lexington neighborhoods.
Our Soft Washing Process
Surface Inspection
We begin by inspecting the surface to identify the material, the type of organic buildup present, and any areas that require additional attention before cleaning.
Property Preparation
Nearby plants, landscaping, and surrounding areas are prepared and protected so the cleaning process can be carried out safely.
Cleaning Solution Application
A professional cleaning solution is applied evenly across the surface, allowing it to break down algae, mold, mildew, and other organic growth before rinsing.
Low-Pressure Rinse
The surface is gently rinsed with low-pressure water to remove the loosened buildup, leaving it clean without the force that damages the material underneath.
What Goes Into a Soft Wash Solution?
A soft wash solution is sodium hypochlorite, the active ingredient in household bleach, diluted with water and mixed with a surfactant. Without the surfactant, the solution would run off vertical siding before it had time to work. With it, the solution clings long enough to break down algae and mildew, so soft washing gets results a plain water rinse can’t. We dilute it to a controlled strength and protect nearby plants first.
Homemade mixes carry their own risk, since bleach should never be mixed with ammonia or with acids like vinegar, which can release toxic gas.
Does Soft Washing Damage Roofs, Siding, or Plants?
Soft washing doesn’t damage roofs, siding, or plants when the crew controls the pressure, the mix, and the rinse. The solution is bleach-based, so it can streak surfaces and harm plants if it dries on them or runs where it shouldn’t.
Roofs need the most care. The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association says to leave a bleach and water solution on the roof for 15 to 20 minutes, rinse it gently, and skip the power washer, brush, and broom, because scrubbing can loosen shingle granules. The roof also gets slippery during treatment, so the work belongs to trained crews.
Plants and lawns get protected first. We pre-soak landscaping before the solution goes on, then rinse the area again with plain water afterward, as our landscaping and pet safety guide explains. Rinse water goes away from storm drains where possible, and our wash water and storm drains guide covers Lexington’s rules.
What Soft Washing Can’t Remove
Soft washing kills organic growth, so it can’t remove stains that aren’t organic. Orange rust, oil and grease, paint, and chalky oxidation on faded siding need a different treatment, and a soft wash can’t repair rot, cracked shingles, or failed caulk.
Rust marks are a chemistry job, and our rust stain removal page explains it. Oil on a driveway takes hot water, and our oil stain removal page covers that.
How Much Does Soft Washing Cost in Lexington, KY?
$300 to $1,200
Soft washing in Lexington usually runs $300 to $1,200, depending on the surface. House washing usually starts around $300 to $500, and roof cleaning generally runs $600 to $1,200. Soft washing is a method, so it has no single price. Fences and decks are priced separately based on size, condition, and access. After we look at your property, you get a clear estimate based on the work required, with no hidden charges. See our pricing guide for how every service compares.
Is Soft Washing Worth the Money?
Soft washing is worth the money on surfaces that pressure can damage, like siding, roofs, and wood fences and decks. The cleaning solution kills algae and mildew where they grow, so the surface tends to stay clean longer than it does after a plain water rinse. Growth still returns sooner in shade and damp spots. Concrete and other hard surfaces suit pressure washing better, and that’s where we use it.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to some of the questions homeowners and business owners ask before
scheduling soft washing services in Lexington.
Related Exterior Cleaning Services
Soft washing is the cleaning method behind many of our residential exterior cleaning services. Each service below covers one surface in more detail.
Not Sure Which Cleaning Method Is Right for You?
Tell us what you want cleaned, like siding, a roof, a fence, or a deck, and we’ll tell you if soft washing is the right method and send a clear estimate. You can also call (859) 435-1790.