The difference
Soft washing uses low pressure, about what a garden hose puts out, and a cleaning solution that kills mold, mildew and algae. Pressure washing uses high pressure to strip dirt off hard surfaces.
What gets soft washed
Vinyl siding, fiber cement siding, painted wood, trim, soffits, fascia and roofs. These surfaces can crack, chip or let water in if you hit them with high pressure.
What gets pressure washed
Concrete driveways, sidewalks, patios, brick steps and commercial pavement. Even then, the pressure and tip should match the surface so the concrete isn't etched and the mortar isn't blown out.
Common DIY mistakes
Holding a pressure washer too close to siding, using a narrow tip on wood, and cleaning concrete with just a wand, which leaves stripes. Another is skipping the plants: cleaning solution should always be rinsed off landscaping before and after.
Written by Marcus, owner of Southern Surface Solutions in Fuquay-Varina, NC.