Soft Washing
Low-pressure cleaning paired with targeted biodegradable solutions that eliminate algae, mold, and mildew at the root — without risking damage to your siding, paint, or trim.
When Pressure Alone Is Not the Answer
Vinyl siding, stucco, painted wood, and composite materials were never designed to withstand thousands of pounds of water pressure. Blasting these surfaces might remove visible dirt, but it can also force water behind siding panels, strip paint, void manufacturer warranties, and leave the underlying organisms alive to regrow within weeks. Soft washing takes the opposite approach. Operating at just 60 to 100 PSI — roughly the force of a garden hose — our system relies on specialized cleaning solutions to do the heavy lifting. The chemistry kills algae, mold, mildew, and bacteria down to the root structure, so results last two to three times longer than pressure washing on the same surfaces.
Six Reasons Soft Washing Outperforms Pressure on Siding
The right tool for the material makes all the difference in longevity and safety.
Root-Level Organism Removal
Pressure washing scrapes organisms off the surface. Soft washing kills them at the cellular level, including the root structures embedded in your siding’s texture.
Zero Risk of Water Intrusion
High-pressure water finds every gap in siding, trim, and window seals. Our low-pressure application stays on the surface where it belongs — never behind your walls.
Results That Last 2-3x Longer
Because the organisms are eliminated rather than displaced, regrowth takes significantly longer. Most Portland homes stay clean for 18 to 24 months after treatment.
Landscaping Protection Protocol
Before any solution is applied, we pre-wet all surrounding plants, cover sensitive beds, and rinse vegetation throughout the process. Your landscaping stays healthy.
DEQ-Compliant Chemistry
Our cleaning solutions break down into salt and water after application. Every product we use meets Oregon Department of Environmental Quality standards for residential use.
Safe on All Siding Types
Vinyl, Hardiboard, stucco, EIFS, cedar, painted wood, log homes — we adjust solution concentration and dwell time for each material’s specific requirements.
Our Soft Wash Process
Four careful steps that deliver transformative results without any risk to your home’s exterior.
Property & Plant Prep
We walk the property to identify siding material, growth severity, and landscaping near treatment zones. All plants, flower beds, and lawn edges are thoroughly pre-soaked and covered.
Solution Application
A custom-mixed cleaning solution is applied at low pressure to all affected surfaces. The formula is tailored to your siding type and the specific organisms present — algae, mold, or mildew.
Dwell Time
The solution needs time to penetrate and neutralize organisms below the surface. We monitor dwell time carefully, keeping siding wet and checking progress as the chemistry works.
Low-Pressure Rinse
A gentle, thorough rinse removes the solution along with all dead organic matter. We finish by rinsing all surrounding plants a final time and walking the property with you.
Portland’s Siding Problem: Algae, Mildew, and Constant Moisture
Drive through any established neighborhood in Portland — from the tree-lined streets of Sellwood to the shaded hillsides of West Linn — and you will see the same pattern repeated on hundreds of homes: green algae streaking down north-facing walls, dark mildew patches forming under eaves, and a general dulling of exterior colors that makes houses look older than they are. This is not a maintenance failure. It is the inevitable result of living in a climate where relative humidity regularly exceeds 80% and surfaces stay damp for months at a time.
The organisms responsible are remarkably persistent. Gloeocapsa magma, the cyanobacterium that causes those dark streaks running down from rooflines, feeds on moisture and limestone filler in shingles and siding. Green algae colonize any surface that stays wet and receives minimal direct sunlight. Mildew thrives in the humid air trapped between houses and fences. Pressure washing these organisms off your siding is like mowing weeds — the root system remains intact, and regrowth begins almost immediately.
Soft Washing vs. Pressure Washing: Understanding the Difference
The distinction matters more than most homeowners realize. Pressure washing uses water force — typically 2,500 to 4,000 PSI — to mechanically strip contaminants from hard surfaces like concrete and stone. It is the right tool for driveways and sidewalks. But siding, trim, and painted surfaces require a fundamentally different approach. Here is why soft washing is the only responsible method for your home’s exterior:
- High-pressure water can penetrate vinyl siding lap joints, soaking insulation and wall cavities
- Stucco and EIFS are porous — pressurized water drives moisture deep into the substrate
- Painted wood loses paint adhesion when blasted, leading to premature peeling and chipping
- Cedar and log siding can splinter, fuzz, or develop surface erosion from excessive pressure
- Hardiboard manufacturer warranties specifically require low-pressure cleaning methods
What Goes Into Our Cleaning Solutions
Transparency matters. Our primary active ingredient is sodium hypochlorite — the same compound used to treat municipal drinking water and swimming pools, applied at concentrations calibrated for exterior cleaning. We combine it with commercial-grade surfactants that help the solution cling to vertical surfaces and penetrate organic growth. After application, the chemistry breaks down into simple salt and water, leaving no lasting residue on your siding or in your soil. Every formulation we use is biodegradable and compliant with Oregon DEQ regulations. We carry Safety Data Sheets on every truck and are happy to walk you through exactly what we are applying to your home.
Soft Washing FAQ
What Portland homeowners want to know before scheduling a soft wash.
What is the difference between soft washing and pressure washing?
Pressure washing relies on water force (3,000+ PSI) to blast contaminants away. Soft washing uses low pressure (60-100 PSI) combined with cleaning solutions that chemically kill organisms. For siding, stucco, and painted surfaces, soft washing is safer, more effective, and produces results that last significantly longer.
Will your cleaning solutions damage my plants or landscaping?
No. We follow a strict plant protection protocol on every job. All vegetation within the treatment zone is pre-soaked with water, covered where necessary, and rinsed continuously during and after application. Our solutions are biodegradable, and we have never lost a plant on a client property.
How long will my siding stay clean after a soft wash?
Most Portland homes maintain their clean appearance for 18 to 24 months after soft washing. Homes with heavy shade and limited airflow may see regrowth sooner, while south-facing or sun-exposed homes often go two to three years between treatments.
Can you soft wash stucco without causing damage?
Absolutely. Stucco is one of the surfaces that benefits most from soft washing because its textured, porous surface traps organic growth that pressure washing cannot fully remove. Our low-pressure application penetrates the texture to kill organisms within the pores without eroding the finish.
Is soft washing safe for older painted wood siding?
Yes. In fact, it is the only cleaning method we recommend for painted surfaces. High-pressure water lifts paint edges and accelerates peeling. Our gentle application cleans the surface without compromising paint adhesion, and many clients find their paint looks refreshed once the organic layer is removed.
What causes the green algae on my siding?
Green algae (primarily Chlorophyta species) thrive on surfaces that remain damp and receive limited direct sunlight. Portland’s extended rainy season and mature tree canopy create ideal growing conditions. North-facing walls and areas near sprinkler zones are typically the first to show colonization.
Give Your Home Its Color Back
Schedule a free soft wash estimate and discover what your siding looks like underneath the algae. Most homes completed in a single day.
Serving Portland, Beaverton, Lake Oswego, Tigard, Tualatin, Hillsboro, Gresham, Milwaukie, Oregon City, West Linn, Happy Valley, Clackamas, Wilsonville, Sherwood, and surrounding communities throughout the greater Portland metro area.