Many ask the question of what’s the difference between power washing, pressure washing and soft washing. I’ll answer these questions in great deal so you won’t have to wonder as well.

We often hear people reference to these terms loosely. So are they really any different? The quick and easy answer to this is yes. But in other ways power washing, pressure washing and even soft washing are in general the same, just depends on who you’re talking to, what state you live in. Considering we live in Michigan, the most common term is power washing. So how can they be different yet the same? Are you getting confused yet? Stick around and I’ll answer this and you’ll understand how.

How is Pressure Washing, Power Washing and Soft Washing The Same?

Most companies, especially those who provide residential power or pressure washing services like us, utilize a technique called Soft Washing. Soft washing is a much safer process than using pressure to wash homes which can cause damage. Not only does it not cause damage, it cleans more efficiently and your home stays cleaner longer.

So why aren’t we called a “Soft Washing Company“? Soft washing is just the process we use which relies on a power washer also known as a pressure washer at significantly lower amounts of pressure that relies on detergents and not the pressure to clean surfaces. There are times we use the pressure from our machines like on concrete as it requires higher amounts of pressure to be cleaned thoroughly.

So how are they the same? For this I give the soda vs pop example. Being from Michigan most of my life I have called “Pop”, “Pop”. That makes sense right? Well, when you travel south. Especially states like Florida where I lived in for a awhile you will be corrected that it’s not “Pop” its “Soda”. This is very much the same situation in our industry as it is on the name of “Pop”.

How Are They Different?

When referring to a company or the industry, the references are essentially the same besides soft washing as that’s purely a technique or process type term. When referring to the process as pressure washing or power washing is when you only use the pressure from the water to clean a surface. In some instance using only high pressured water to clean is acceptable. Surfaces like concrete require higher amounts of pressure to clean the surface. However, you will still need assistance from chemicals to remove contaminants such as grease and oil. Along with needing pressure for harder surfaces like concrete and block walls on commercial buildings. To much can be damaging and can remove the cream from concrete. Soft washing concrete can be done with higher concentrated amounts of chemicals. But still needs to be coupled with some pressure and possibly degreasers to get it as clean as possible. Using pressure to wash softer surfaces such as vinyl, roofs and around windows can cause damage and real quick. These areas are meant to be soft washed to ensure they aren’t damaged.

So What is Soft Washing?

Soft washing can be done in several different ways. The most common way is in fact with the use of a power washer. When done correctly, a commercial pressure washer can be dialed down to lower the amount of pressure that comes out, but able to be dialed up when harder surfaces are needing to be cleaned. The biggest reason many companies use a power washer is for the Gallons Per Minute (GPM). The more water and chemicals that are sprayed at a time the faster a power washing company can work and get your property cleaned as well as rinsed so the detergents don’t dry on windows and other surfaces.

Another way is through the use of electric pumps. However, the daily and continuous use with those type of pumps requires them to pull the detergents through the pumps causing them to fail quickly. Replacing those pumps, especially in the middle of a job can be time consuming and even detrimental to a companies time management. So most professional companies don’t use these pumps except for roof cleanings where they have to be used because of the higher concentrations and lower psi they can handle verse a power washer dialed down to its lowest settings. Again, these pumps don’t last especially with the use of higher concentrated detergents used on roofs. Most of these pumps last as short as a month and upwards of 6 months at best.