How We Soft Wash Your Property – By GNC Home Services
At GNC Home Services, we are committed to providing safe, effective, and eco-friendly cleaning solutions for your property. One of the most advanced methods we use is soft washing—a gentle yet powerful cleaning technique that’s ideal for delicate surfaces like your home’s siding, roof, or deck.
Unlike traditional pressure washing, which uses high-pressure water to remove dirt and grime, soft washing uses low-pressure water combined with specialized cleaning solutions to gently clean surfaces without causing damage. In this blog, we’ll walk you through our soft washing process and explain why it's the best choice for your home or business.
Step 1: Initial Assessment and Preparation
Before we begin any cleaning project, our team conducts a thorough assessment of your property. We take the time to evaluate the surfaces that need to be cleaned and identify any areas that may require special attention. This is important because different surfaces (vinyl siding, wood, stucco, etc.) require specific cleaning approaches to ensure we achieve the best results without causing damage.
Once we have assessed the property, we prepare the area by ensuring that any outdoor furniture, plants, and valuables are protected. We may cover landscaping with protective sheeting to shield them from any cleaning solutions, ensuring that your plants remain safe and unaffected by the process.
Step 2: Applying the Cleaning Solution
Soft washing begins with the application of a specialized cleaning solution. This solution is a carefully formulated mixture of eco-friendly cleaning agents that are designed to break down dirt, algae, mildew, mold, and other contaminants at the root. The solution also targets organic matter that may have settled deep into the surface, which high-pressure washing cannot fully remove.
The cleaning solution is applied evenly to the surface using a low-pressure sprayer. It is allowed to sit for a few minutes, giving it time to penetrate and break down stubborn buildup like mold, mildew, and dirt. This is a crucial step because the solution works to kill harmful growths at their roots, preventing them from returning quickly. The time we let the solution sit varies depending on the surface and type of contaminants we’re dealing with.
Step 3: Gentle Scrubbing (If Necessary)
While soft washing is primarily based on the cleaning solution, in some cases, we may use soft-bristled brushes to gently scrub areas that require extra attention. This is especially useful for surfaces with heavy staining or buildup, such as decks, patios, or siding.
The gentle scrubbing helps agitate the contaminants and ensures that all areas are effectively cleaned without the risk of scratching or damaging the surface. The key here is that the brushes used during soft washing are designed to be non-abrasive, ensuring that we maintain the integrity of your property’s surfaces.
Step 4: Low-Pressure Rinsing
Once the cleaning solution has had enough time to break down the contaminants, we move on to the rinsing process. Unlike pressure washing, which uses high-pressure water to blast away dirt, soft washing uses low-pressure water to gently rinse the surface. The low pressure ensures that no damage is done to delicate surfaces like vinyl siding, wood, or shingles.
The rinse water is directed onto the cleaned surface, flushing away all the dirt, debris, and cleaning solution without causing any harm. This gentle rinsing process also helps prevent water from getting forced into cracks, crevices, or behind the siding, which can happen with traditional pressure washing.
Step 5: Final Inspection and Touch-Up
After the rinsing is complete, we perform a final inspection of the cleaned area to ensure everything is spotless. We check for any missed spots or areas that may require a bit more attention. If necessary, we do a quick touch-up to ensure the best possible outcome.
Step 6: Post-Cleaning Care
Once the job is complete, we take steps to ensure that the surfaces we’ve cleaned are left looking pristine. For example, if you have wooden surfaces, we may suggest applying a protective coating to maintain the wood’s appearance and durability. Additionally, our team will make sure that any landscaping or outdoor furniture we protected is carefully restored to its original place.