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You may be surprised by the difference a good clean can make on the appearance of your rendered surfaces. A thorough cleaning can transform your render from looking old and worn to brand new. It can also remove stains, debris, dirt, and grime.

Two main ways to clean render include soft washing and pressure washing. Although they both use similar equipment, they use it in different ways. Each option has its pros and cons, and some people may prefer one over the other.
Continue reading to find out more about the differences between soft washing and pressure washing.

Soft Washing

As its name suggests, soft washing is a gentle, low-pressure washing method that focuses more on the composition of cleaning solutions than the pressure of the cleaning hose/device.

Soft washing involves a mixture of water and cleaning solutions, including bleach, gentle detergents and solutions that remove and prevent algae, moss, mildew, and fungi from growing. The equipment needed for a soft-pressure clean includes a hose, a pump, and soft-pressure nozzles.

How to Use Soft Wash on Render

Here are the steps to using a soft wash on your rendered surfaces:

  • Apply the cleaning solution to the rendered surface.
  • Wait a little bit and let the cleaning solution soak into the surface so it can break down any algae, moss, mildew, mould and fungi growth.
  • Rinse off the cleaning solution with a low-pressure hose.

Benefits of Soft-Wash Cleaning

The benefits of soft washing include:

  • Deep cleaning: The cleaning solutions used in a soft wash are powerful and effective in removing dirt, grime, and fungi buildup. A soft wash clean usually reaches all the nooks and crannies that a pressure wash can’t.
  • Long-lasting results: A soft wash kills algae, mould, and bacteria at the source, giving your rendered surfaces a clean and new appearance that lasts longer.
  • Gentle: Soft washing is perfect for fragile surfaces, like painted surfaces, shingles, and vinyl siding, as it is gentler on them.
  • Easy to manage: A soft wash is easier to control and safer, while a high-pressure cleaner can be harder to control and operate.

Disadvantages of Soft Wash

The disadvantages of a soft wash include:

  • Can’t remove all stains: While soft washing is effective on most stains, some stubborn, hard-to-remove stains, like embedded dirt, require more high-pressure cleaning.
  • Slower cleaning: Because you are using a mixture of cleaning solutions and a hose, the cleaning process might be more time-consuming than a high-pressure clean.

Pressure Washing

Pressure washing, which is also known as power washing, uses a highly pressurised washer to remove dirt, grime, fungi growth and other debris from rendered surfaces. It is powerful enough to use on its own but can also be used with cleaning chemicals.

The cleaning process is simple and involves using a highly pressurised stream of water that blasts away any debris from the surface.
It is often used to clean driveways, wooden decks, and patios and to remove mould and fungi growth from exterior walls.

Pressure washing uses a pressure washer, which comes in different sizes and power/pressure levels. It takes water from a water source and pressurises it using a pump, which releases it through a nozzle.

How to Use Pressure Washing On Render

Here’s the safest and most effective way to use pressure washing on rendered surfaces:

  • Use a fan tip instead of a needlepoint spray.
  • Clean using 80-120Psi (pounds per square inch).
  • Hold the pressure cleaner a safe distance away from the wall.

Benefits of Pressure Washing

The benefits of pressure washing include:

  • Effective: Using a highly pressurised water stream can blast away stubborn stains.
  • Eco-Friendly: When it is used without any cleaning chemicals, it is an incredibly environmentally friendly cleaning option, as it only uses water.
  • Versatility: Pressure washing can be used on various exterior surfaces, from wood and stone to concrete, and it can also be used alongside cleaning solutions.
  • Quick: Pressure washing is a fast cleaning process as the water comes out quickly and blasts the debris off the wall.

Disadvantages of Pressure Washing

The disadvantages of pressure washing include:

  • Not suitable for all surfaces: Because of its highly pressurised water stream, pressure washing is not suitable for all surfaces.
  • Can cause damage: Pressure washers are more likely to cause damage to your surfaces.
  • Harder to control: A power washer is much harder to control, making it more dangerous.

Which Cleaning Option is Right for You?

Which cleaning method you use depends on the type of rendered surface you have and whether it can withstand pressure washing or is better suited for soft washing.

If you are unsure, it is best to contact a professional. At Sydney Cement Rendering, we are more than happy to recommend the most effective and safest cleaning options for your rendered surfaces.

We take pride in being Sydney’s trusted rendering experts and providing our customers with the highest quality rendering services. Contact us at 0402 704 984 or visit our website: https://sydneycementrendering.com/ to find out more about what we offer!