It's officially summer and the perfect time to take care of maintenance around your home's exterior and outdoor living space. While the weather is nice it's good to clean up everything from your siding to decks to roofs to outdoor furniture. This does not mean giving up a sunny day in exchange for long hours of scraping and scrubbing. Having these areas professionally soft-washed gets the job done and frees up your time to enjoy summer activities.

How Do I Know I Need Soft Washing?

Take a closer look at the exterior surfaces around your home, such as the siding, deck, roof, fencing, gazebos, and outdoor features and furniture. Do you notice ugly streaking, stains, decomposing organic debris and general grime? Soft washing is effective for cleaning up materials that would otherwise be damaged by the high-powered force from a power washer. Soft washing is a gentle process, using chemical mixtures to lift the dirt.

Preparing for Soft Washing

The solution used in soft washing includes a bleaching agent, so care must be taken in advance to prepare the area and implement safety measures.

People and Pets - The cleaning agents in soft washing solutions can burn the eyes, skin and lungs if used at high concentrations and improperly. We use these cleaning solutions at low concentrations for safety. While the soft washing is in progress, keep your kids and pets inside. Securely cover your outdoor fishponds, terrariums and aviaries. 

Water and Chemical-Sensitive Materials – There are certain things around your home that should not get wet or come into contact with chemicals. Close your windows and doors. Move vehicles, bicycles, toys, grills, awnings, umbrellas, artwork, cushions, canopies, hammocks, wicker and wood furniture, food items and beach towels away from the spray area. If these items cannot be moved, cover them with protective tarps or plastic drop sheets.

Plants and Gardens – At high concentrations, bleach can be damaging to delicate plants. Hanging or potted plants should be moved away from the spray area. Small gardens can be covered with tarps or plastic drop sheets. When you cannot cover larger trees or your lawn, wet them down with a garden hose just ahead of the soft washing. This effectively dilutes the effect of any chemical overspray. Thoroughly soak the leaves and roots and rinse immediately after. 

Electrical Features – Seal exposed electrical outlets with plastic and waterproof tape. Cover and tape off electrical fixtures and lights in the line of spray with plastic bags or trash bags. If possible, move electrical equipment and appliances from the area and if not, unplug them and wrap the cord in a plastic bag. Unplug extension cords and remove them from the spray area.

Professional Soft Washing Services With Maintain It All

Preparing your home for soft washing may appear to be a complex process, but it is an important safety precaution. The soft washing process saves time by removing dirt and organic growth quickly which could eventually cause structural damage. At Maintain It All, it is our goal to extend the life of your home while adhering to strict safety standards. To find out if your home is a candidate for the benefits of soft washing, contact us!