Safe & Effective Soft Washing for Your Home’s Exterior

At Imperial Shine Windows we specializes in soft washing techniques we are geared towards our local Richmond , Katy , Sugar Land and greater Houston area customers and take a more delicate and chemically focused approach to exterior cleaning of homes, particularly for surfaces that could be damaged by high-pressure pressure pressure washing. Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of how this process works, the role of sodium hypochlorite (commonly used in house washing),

Soft washing is a cleaning method that uses low-pressure water combined with specialized cleaning solutions to safely remove mildew, bacteria, algae, and other organic stains from roofing, siding, decks, fences, and more. Unlike traditional high-pressure washing, which relies on the force of the water to clean, soft washing focuses on a chemical application that does the bulk of the work.durring an exterior cleaning. House washing time is cut in half by this method though it does cost a little bit more for chemicals.

One of the key ingredients in the soft washing process is sodium hypochlorite (SH)—the active ingredient in household bleach. For exterior cleaning, companies typically use a commercial-grade SH solution, often diluted to concentrations ranging from 3% to 6% depending on the surface being cleaned and the severity of the stains or growths. house washing is easier the more  knowledge the technician has on batch mixing. The solution is  often used before and sometimes after as a post treatment when pressure washing surfaces

1. Chemical Mixing:
    
   • The technician blends sodium hypochlorite with water and often adds a surfactant (soap or detergent) to help the solution cling to vertical surfaces and penetrate organic matter more effectively while house washing
   • Typical ratios might be something like 50/50 SH and water for stubborn stains on hardy surfaces, or more diluted mixtures for delicate areas like painted wood or plants.

1. Application Process:
    
   • Using a soft wash system—usually a 12V pump or air diaphragm pump—the solution is gently applied to the house exterior at pressures under 500 PSI (usually similar to a garden hose pressure)This is pretty standard for exterior cleaning .
   • The surfactant helps the solution dwell on the surface, breaking down organic growths like mold, mildew, and algae.

1. Dwell Time & Rinse:
    
   • The solution is allowed to dwell for 10–20 minutes, depending on conditions.
   • After the dwell time, the surface is rinsed with low-pressure water to remove dead organic material and residual chemicals.
   • If necessary, a second application may be applied to stubborn areas.

1. Plant & Property Protection:
    
   • Technicians pre-wet surrounding vegetation and landscaping to dilute any runoff.
   • After the job is complete, they’ll often rinse everything again and may use a neutralizer to protect delicate plants.In some cases pressure washing is needed to remove stubborn stains.
   • We service Richmond, Sugar Land, Katy and the rest of the Houston area

• Vinyl siding
• Stucco
• Painted wood
• Dryvit (EIFS)
• Asphalt shingles (high pressure can damage shingles and void warranties)
• Decks and fences (especially wood or painted finishes)

Soft washing is ideal for residential properties and is the preferred method for any surface where high-pressure washing could cause etching, paint stripping, or water intrusion.

Soft washing and house washing can leave residue streaks on your windows, but don’t worry that’s what we are here for. CLICK HERE to find out about our Window Cleaning Services.

Our pressure washing and house washing service is designed to remove dirt, grime, and other stains from the exterior of your home or business. We use high-powered equipment that is safe and effective for exterior cleaning . Our team will leave your property looking clean and refreshed. We service Richmond ,Sugar Land, Katy and the rest of the Houston area.Contact us today to schedule your service!