Key Differences: Soft washing vs pressure washing
- Soft washing uses low pressure and cleaning agents for delicate surfaces, while pressure washing uses high pressure water and commercial-grade equipment to achieve a deeper, faster clean on durable roofing materials.
- Pressure washing physically removes heavy moss, lichen, mould and stains quickly, making it ideal for tough build-up and pre-sale maintenance where fast results matter.
- Soft washing can be appropriate for fragile materials, but it relies on chemical dwell time rather than force, which often means slower visible results.
- Professional equipment, adjustable pressure settings, and proper mould treatments ensure your roof is cleaned safely and thoroughly without causing damage.
You keep your home spic-and-span in the areas you can reach, but have you thought about your roof lately?
Roof cleaning is a critical maintenance task if you want to protect the roof material, improve your curb appeal, and prevent costly water damage or structural issues down the road. There are two main roof cleaning methods: pressure washing, and soft washing. Both are popular roof cleaning services for Australian homeowners, but what’s the difference – and which is right for your exterior surfaces?
Before and after: This rooftop was covered in lichen and grime, which Mr Blastit pressure washing safely and effectively removed.
How does soft washing work?
Soft washing, as the name implies, is a low-pressure (below 500 PSI) cleaning method. Because it’s low pressure, it requires specialised detergents and chemicals to effectively remove dirty build-up and other contaminants like dirt, algae, or mould.
Soft washing is more suitable for delicate surfaces where pressure washing may be too intense, like rendered homes, paint work, concrete roof tiles (if you don’t want to be up for a full repaint) or roofs where your worried about leaks.
| Pros of Soft Washing Systems | Cons of Soft Washing Systems |
| Gentler on delicate surfaces. | Slower results – chemicals can take time to break down thick growth. |
| Kills mould and algae at the root with chemical treatments. | Dependence on chemicals can be less environmentally friendly (though more eco-friendly options can be used). |
What is pressure washing?
Pressure washing uses high-pressure, specialised cleaning equipment and hot or cold water to blast away dirt, moss, stains, and other contaminants. It’s suitable for many different surfaces from natural stone to roofing, though you’ll need an operator with the right gear and experience for trickier spots.
Commercial-grade pressure cleaners are a bit different to the pressure washers you can access as a consumer. They’re usually able to work at a greater range of PSI (force exerted per square inch), and in the hands of an experienced operator they can get the job done quickly, safely, and without any damage to your roofing material or other exterior surfaces nearby.
| Pros of Pressure Washing Roofs | Cons of Pressure Washing Roofs |
| You can achieve a deep cleaning, fast. If your roof has tough build-up like heavy moss or lichen, pressure washing is the best way to blast it off. | High pressure cleaning isn’t DIY-friendly. Improper use of a pressure washer (too much pressure, uneven pressure) can damage tiles and various surfaces. |
| Instant results and a speedy overall service. | Not suitable for all roofs – if your roof is fragile or has a crumbly surface, pressure washing may be too harsh. |
| Long-lasting cleanliness – physically removes organic material and mould growth, and treats the clean surface to make sure it’s gone. | |
| Ideal for hard roofing materials like tile, COLORBOND®, concrete. |
Which cleaning method is better for your home?
Soft washing and pressure washing both have their place, depending on your roof and how much time you have for exterior house cleaning.
When to choose pressure washing for your roof
If you need to remove mould and get surfaces looking cleaner right away, pressure washing will get you faster results than soft washing. For example, pre-sale pressure cleaningis perfect where you might have a tight window to get everything in your home looking fresh again.
Pressure washing is best for durable surfaces. However, most roof materials are designed to take on tough environmental conditions, so that’s not as restrictive as you might think. Mr Blastit can advise you whether or not your roof is suitable for pressure washing.
When to choose soft washing for your roof
If your roof surface is made of delicate materials, or if your roof hasn’t got a lot of build-up of moss, lichen and dirt, soft washing with chemical cleaning solutions may be more appropriate.
You’ll need to make sure you have the time you need to get the job done. To get the roof clean, you need a combination of water, pressure and time – without high pressure, you need more dwell time for the cleaning agents to work.
Why have your roof professionally cleaned at all?
Your roof takes a beating. Perth’s climate is perfect for growing unwanted things like mould, moss and lichen – not to mention, dust and sand from both the coast and the desert can cause build up over time.
A clean roof:
- Better reflects sunlight, keeping you cool in the summer.
- Better sheds water, which can prevent damage over time by avoiding conditions that create rot and attract pests.
- Increases curb appeal – whether you’re getting ready to sell or are simply house-proud as a rule, a clean roof always looks newer and better.
It’s also much safer to go for a professional service – not just for the finish of your roof, but also for your personal safety. Roofs are sloped surfaces and cleaning them requires powerful equipment that can be difficult to handle. Professionals know how to work safely at heights, reducing the risk of accident and injury. They also have insurance for your peace of mind.
Why choose Mr Blastit?
We’re experienced in power washing roofing. As part of a high pressure roof clean the gutters also get a wash out – we work across different materials and gutter systems to deliver great results without causing any damage. We use a specialised, professional pressure wash system with adjustable flow rates, pressure and temperatures to make sure each job is done right.
Using Mr Blastit means you get:
- A fully insured, family-owned business that treats your home with care.
- Proper disposal of debris once cleaned off the roof material, so it doesn’t clog your gutters or sit on your property.
- Eco friendly cleaning solutions to treat mould spores, moss, lichen or fungi spores; while pressure washing alone will get rid of organic growth visually, the right treatments will actually kill them off. We use trusted Australian products that won’t harm your home, your family, or your garden.
We can also get the rest of your home’s exterior surfaces looking good as new with same-day high pressure cleaning and sealing to remove dirt, tough marks like oil stains, and organic growth from natural stone tiles, concrete paths, exterior walls, and more.
Why not contact Mr Blastit todayfor your exterior pressure cleaning job, or use our free online price estimate tool to get started.
