The sun is out, the grill is ready, but your deck is looking less than inviting. Mold, mildew, and winter grime have turned your beautiful wood or composite surface gray and slippery. The solution? Cleaning it. But before you rent the most powerful pressure washer you can find, you need to understand a critical difference: pressure washing vs. soft washing.
While both methods rely on pressurized water, the force and chemicals used vary drastically, and choosing the wrong one can easily damage your investment, turning a weekend project into an expensive repair.
1. What is Traditional Pressure Washing?
Traditional pressure washing uses high-velocity water streams, often exceeding 1,500psi (pounds per square inch), to physically blast dirt, paint, and grime off hard surfaces.
Best Used For:
- Hard Surfaces: Concrete driveways, stone walkways, and sturdy paver patios.
- Heavy Stains: Removing deep oil stains, ground-in mud, or graffiti.
- Surface Prep: Stripping old paint or stain before applying a new finish.
The Risks to Decks:
While great for hardscapes, high pressure is dangerous for wood and composite decking. The powerful, focused stream can splinter wood, permanently etch soft composite materials, and leave unsightly “zebra stripes” in the grain. For any material softer than dense concrete or natural stone, the risk often outweighs the benefit.
2. What is Soft Washing?
Soft washing is a low-pressure technique—typically under 500psi—that relies primarily on biodegradable, custom-blended cleaning solutions to gently remove organic growth (algae, moss, mildew) and stubborn dirt.
Think of it like soaking dishes before rinsing: the detergents do the heavy lifting, not the sheer force of the water.
Best Used For:
- Delicate Surfaces: Wood decks (cedar, redwood, pressure-treated), vinyl siding, stucco, and painted surfaces.
- Composite Decks: Safely cleaning and restoring synthetic materials without etching.
- Roofing: Removing moss and lichen without damaging shingles.
The Benefits of Soft Washing for Wood:
When cleaning a wood deck, soft washing treats the root of the problem—the organic growth—and kills it off. This provides a deeper, longer-lasting clean than high-pressure methods that only scrape off the visible top layer. This low-impact approach is especially critical for maintaining the integrity and warranty of older or softer deck materials.
3. The Perfect Blend: Why Dual-Method Cleaning is Key
At WLS, we never use a single, one-size-fits-all approach. Your entire property’s exterior is an interconnected system, and we approach it that way.
When cleaning your outdoor spaces, our process involves intelligently applying both methods based on the material:
| Surface Type | Recommended Method | Why? |
| Wood Decks & Fences | Soft Washing | Prevents splintering, etching, and irreversible damage. |
| Concrete & Pavers | Pressure Washing | Necessary to break down deep mineral stains and ground-in dirt. |
| House Siding (Vinyl, Stucco) | Soft Washing | Safely removes mold and mildew without damaging seals or siding. |
This dual approach ensures the harsh, high-pressure cleaning is reserved exclusively for durable hard surfaces, while softer, more sensitive materials like wood decks and siding receive the care they require.
The Overlooked Connection
Pressure washing and soft washing—along with landscaping, hardscapes, and snow removal—are all tied to one thing: water management. Proper exterior cleaning helps maintain the structural health of your home by preventing water-retaining debris and organic growth.
For instance, the gunk washed off your roof or deck eventually flows into your gutters. If your gutters are clogged with leaves and silt, that dirty water is directed right back down the fascia, causing stains, or worse, pooling near your foundation.
This is why we recommend comprehensive exterior maintenance. Ensuring your downspouts are clear and your drainage systems are functioning perfectly is just as important as cleaning the surfaces themselves. If you need help keeping water managed efficiently, remember that professional gutter cleaning services are a crucial line of defense against long-term water damage and foundational problems.
Ultimately, whether you choose pressure washing or soft washing, selecting the right technique for each surface is the difference between restoration and regret. Always prioritize the longevity of your materials, and consider consulting a professional when dealing with delicate wood or complex composite decks.
