Soft washing

Soft washing is a cleaning method using low pressure water. More recently, the term "softwashing" has been used to describe any form of spraying chemicals at buildings where solutions (typically sodium hypochlorite based softwashing chemicals) are used to remove mildew, bacteria, algae and other organic stains from roofs and other building exteriors.

It is so named to differentiate the method from power washing. The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association recommends low-pressure bleach or detergent assisted washing as the preferred method for cleaning asphalt roofs in order to prevent damage to the shingles.

Soft washing is generally considered a much safer method of cleaning than high pressure cleaning, but it does carry its own risks. One of the most expensive risks is sodium hypochlorite reacting with organic pigments in certain paint colors and certain paint lines. An inconspicuous test spot should always be checked before soft washing a painted area by putting a strong mix of sodium hypochlorite on the surface and allowing it to dry. Though any color can be affected, reds, blues, greens, and oranges are more prone to have organic pigments. Once the pigment has been stained, the only way to fix the issue is to repaint the affected area.

Soft washing is simply spraying water at low pressure via, pressure washer, electric or air pump.

Soft washing Equipment is not distinctly different than power and pressure washing equipment.