What soft washing does on siding
Soft washing is the correct way to clean exterior siding. High pressure can crack caulk lines, dent aluminum, strip paint, and force water behind the panels into the wall cavity, where trapped moisture can feed mold. A soft wash applies biodegradable detergents at low pressure and leaves the siding itself untouched.
Pressure stays under 500 PSI, about a garden hose, and the solution does the work: usually sodium hypochlorite, a surfactant that helps it cling, and water. Applied and rinsed gently, it dwells long enough to kill algae, mold, mildew, bacteria, and lichen at the root instead of only the surface film. It is the warranty-safe method most siding manufacturers recommend over high pressure.
The black streaks and green film on siding are living algae, mildew, and bacteria feeding on the surface. Chicago humidity, heavy spring pollen, and long damp winters turn local siding into a magnet for that growth and for the gray-green grime that creeps up shaded north and east faces. Left alone, it spreads, dulls curb appeal, and wears on vinyl, caulk, and paint.
Soft washing and pressure washing are for different surfaces. Pressure washing uses a high-volume stream, typically 1,500 to 3,500 PSI. It fits concrete driveways, sidewalks, garage floors, brick and stone patios, paver walkways, concrete pool decks, and unsealed masonry. Soft washing a driveway is slow and leaves it streaky, so flatwork stays a pressure job. One property often needs both: pressure on the flatwork, soft washing on vertical and fragile surfaces. A walkthrough usually maps the two, and sometimes a simple soft wash is all the home needs.
Siding types and the stains it treats
House and siding soft washing is used on the surfaces below. Screens and EIFS take the same kind of wash. Besides the organic growth above, it lifts dirt and pollen. The wash brightens the siding, leaves an even color across every elevation, and restores curb appeal with an HOA-friendly appearance.
- Vinyl siding
- Brick
- Stucco
- Fiber cement
- Aluminum siding
- Soffits and fascia
- Exterior gutters
- Painted trim
How a house soft wash is done
Every elevation is inspected first. Light fixtures and outlets are covered, and shrubs and grass are pre-wet so the detergent does not harm the landscaping. Plantings are rinsed before, during, and after the wash. Once the surfaces dry, they are safe for kids and pets.
- Low-pressure equipment coats the siding with the soft-wash solution.
- The solution dwells for several minutes so it can lift grime instead of pushing dirt around the way high pressure does.
- The rinse runs from the top down in a wide, low-pressure stream so water is not driven under trim or into window seals.
- Stubborn streaks, soffits, downspouts, and shaded corners are hand-detailed and rinsed again to an even finish.
- We walk the property with you, confirm the result, and pick up after ourselves so the only thing left behind is a brighter home.
How often to wash house siding
Vinyl, aluminum, and fiber-cement siding collect dirt, pollen, and mildew, especially on shaded north sides. Wash siding every one to two years: yearly where it stays shaded, and every other year in full sun and low humidity. For most homes, a full exterior wash once a year is the baseline, in late spring after pollen drops or in early fall. A soft-washed side often stays clean a year or more, depending on shade, tree cover, and how exposed that side is.
Wash sooner with heavy tree cover, high humidity or a home near water, dust from construction or a busy road, or spring pollen on light-colored siding. A fresh wash is one of the highest-ROI moves before listing. Green or black streaks, or a chalky film when you wipe the siding, mean it is time regardless of the calendar. High pressure used too often wears siding, and over-washing wood strips its finish, so delicate surfaces stay on a soft wash. Fold a roof soft wash in every few years. For the rest of the schedule, see how often to wash a house.
Where house soft washing is available
Ernest Power serves Chicago and the greater Chicagoland area, including DuPage, Kane, and McHenry counties, and McHenry. Towns in the service areas:
Chicago and Cook County. Chicago, Wheeling, Des Plaines, Morton Grove, Arlington Hts, Niles, Mt Prospect, and Skokie.
DuPage County and the south suburbs. Bloomingdale, Clarendon Hills, St Charles, Downers Grove, Glen Ellyn, Naperville, Elmhurst, and Orland Park.
North Shore neighborhoods. Northbrook, Libertyville, Northfield, Lake Forest, Glencoe, Evanston, Deerfield, Winnetka, Highland Park, Wilmette, Lake Bluff, and Glenview.
Northwest Lake and Cook counties. Barrington, Long Grove, Palatine, Hawthorn Woods, Elgin, Vernon Hills, Schaumburg, and Buffalo Grove.
Don't see your area? Call — we may still be able to help.
Get a quote
The quote is free, written, and has no obligation. Call (630) 403-0027 or email hello@ernestpower.com. The office is at 1429 Diehl Rd, Suite 200, Naperville, IL 60563. Hours are Monday to Friday, 7 am to 9 pm, and Saturday and Sunday, 7 am to 5 pm.
Send the property details from the contact page. Driveways, decks, fences, roofs, and commercial washing are separate services.