When considering a professional exterior cleaning service, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? If you are like most, it’s pressure washing or power washing.

Without a doubt, the most substantial growth in the exterior cleaning trade has been the introduction of soft washing. The soft wash process has been used for more than 25 years and quickly is becoming a preferred method of cleaning throughout the industry.

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Soft washing

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The title says it all. Soft washing is a term used to describe a safe, gentle approach to a well-proven roof and exterior cleaning method. It utilizes low pressure to deliver a customized cleaning solution. This solution not only kills 100 percent of all mold, mildew and bacteria by displacing the oxygen they require to survive, but also it allows the soft wash-certified cleaner to rinse with as little pressure as a garden hose.

There are no harmful effects like those associated with pressure washing, and it does not void your roof warranty. In fact, it is the recommended roof cleaning method by The American Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA). Effects last four to six times longer than pressure washing alone. It even achieves a 100 percent kill rate on molds, mildews, lichens, moss and bacteria.

Power washing

Pressure or power washing uses force to clean a surface and remove molds, mildews and other contaminants. The first problem is that it does not kill these contaminants, but instead it simply shears them off at the surface, allowing them to grow back thicker, stronger and fuller in (usually) less than six months.

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The second, and perhaps most important, problem is the potential for extensive damages when pressure washing, such as stripping or scarring on delicate surfaces; blasting off protective granules from your shingle roof, or the color from your tile roof; peeling; etching and chipping the paint off your home or business; or forcing water into troublesome areas. These damages could cost you thousands of dollars in repairs.

Envirowash Hawaii LLC owner Mike Wedge said there are situations in which a pressure wash may be the best method of cleaning, such as cleaning concrete, brick and most flat surfaces (which the company highly suggests you spray with a soft wash mix to kill off the remaining contaminants left below the surface). Another instance is during paint prep — when it is essential to expose any problem areas — as well as anywhere hot water may be required, such as with tire marks, stains, oil or grease.

Envirowash Hawaii LLC, Hawaii’s only Soft Wash Systems-certified contractor, highly recommends that regardless of the method you choose for your cleaning needs, pick a professional cleaning contractor that is both licensed and insured. And remember, if you think a professional contractor is too expensive, wait until you see what an amateur will charge you.

ENVIROWASH HAWAII LLC
contact // 313-9000
address // 95-1037 Ulahea St.
web // envirowashhawaii.com

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