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The Right Way to Pressure Wash Your House (Without Damaging It)

Spring is the perfect time to prep your lawn for summer, deep clean your home's interior, and give your home’s exterior a good cleaning. Never tried house washing? It involves using low-pressure water and cleaning products to remove natural buildup, such as mold, mildew, algae, and stains. It not only improves your home's appearance but also prevents damage and prolongs the lifespan of your siding when done properly. Ready to get your home looking fresh this spring? Here’s all you need to know about home washing.

What Is House Washing?

House washing, as the name suggests, is a method of cleaning your home's exterior using a pressure washer and a soft-washing approach. Larry Bradley, co-founder of Bradley's Cleaning, explains, “The primary goal of house washing is to remove natural growth and mold from the exterior of the home. This is best done through power washing or soft washing.”

When Should You Wash Your House?

The best time to wash your house is the spring after the cold weather has passed and no more freezing temperatures are on the horizon. That said, if the spring doesn’t work for your schedule, summer and fall are good alternatives as well.

Signs your house needs washing

Over time, you may notice buildup around your home's exterior, such as mildew, mold, or algae. These can be caused by a variety of factors, such as excess humidity, shade, debris, and water pooling. The most noticeable sign your house needs a wash is when green algae starts to take over your siding.

House Washing Methods Explained: Soft Washing vs Pressure Washing

There are two methods used for house washing: soft and pressure washing. Each type is used depending on the type of surface you are cleaning.

Soft Washing

This is the preferred method for house washing because it uses only low pressure (along with cleaning chemicals) to clean surfaces. Soft washing uses around 500 pounds per square inch (PSI), to clean and remove grime, mold, mildew, and more, without damaging the surface. Soft washing is the best option for materials such as siding, stucco, and singles, to name a few. Bradley recommends soft washing, “especially for vinyl, because it eliminates the source of mold and buildup rather than just removing any visible signs.”

Pressure Washing

This type of washing, also called power washing, is used for surfaces like concrete, driveways, and bricks. It relies on a higher PSI to remove heavy stains. The pressure is so strong that it should be done carefully. This kind of pressure can damage delicate surfaces such as vinyl and stucco.

Bradley explains, “power washing uses high-pressure water (2,000-4,000 PSI) to blast away dirt, while soft washing uses water mixed with specialized chemicals and low pressure (around 500 PSI) to treat the surface.”

DIY vs Professional Service

There are two routes that you can go when it comes to house washing: DIY or hiring a professional service. Both options have pros and cons, and determining which is best for you depends mostly on how comfortable you are using a power washer and your budget.

DIY

We know, DIY is trendy and you might feel like it is a good idea to power wash your home. That said, you should know that a power washer is very powerful, especially at the highest PSI, and can harm you or your siding if not handled properly.

Professional Service

Hiring a professional power washing service is the safest and most efficient way to get your house cleaned. They already know the ins and outs of house washing and have the best tools and equipment to get it done right. When hiring a professional house-washing service, you should expect to pay between $300 and $500 per cleaning. Bradley notes that the total price will vary based on a few factors, including your location and the exterior size of your home. Adding services such as power washing your fence, patios, and driveway can increase the price.

Pressure washing tends to be better than soft washing for brick exteriors.

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Tools & Products You’ll Need

House washing your home isn’t as easy as it sounds. There are several parts needed to properly and safely clean your house's exterior. If you don’t have all the tools and equipment needed, it can get expensive. Here’s what you’ll need:

Equipment

Pressure washer (rent or buy one)
Adjustable PSI nozzles
Garden hose
Ladder

Cleaning Solutions

A sodium hypochlorite house washing chemical

Safety Gear

Goggles
Gloves
Non‑slip shoes or rubber boots

Step‑by‑Step House Washing Guide

Whether you want to wash your house yourself or want to learn how it’s done, here’s a house washing guide.

1. Get Your Equipment and Supplies Ready

Before you get all excited and ready to roll, ensure you have all the equipment, cleaning supplies, and safety gear needed to wash your home.

2. Prepare the Area

Ensure that your work area is safe and that you protect items that can be damaged by the cleaning chemicals.

Move furniture away from your house.
Rinse plants with water or cover them if needed.
Close windows and doors. (You don’t want to miss this step.)

3. Pre‑Rinse the Walls

Get your power washer ready with the right soft washing nozzles, PSI, and chemical mixture. Make sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Pre-rinse the wall to loosen surface dirt from top to bottom.
Apply to one section at a time.
Let it sit for five to 10 minutes, but don’t let it dry.

4. Start Soft Wash

Make sure you have the right nozzle tip and the right PSI. Experts recommend 500 PSI for soft washing.

Work from top to bottom, starting with the gutters, soffit, walls, windows, and so on, until you reach the base of the house.

Pro tips:

Hold your spray gun firmly with both hands, practice in one small section first.
Aim the spray gun at an angle and spray from side to side.
Avoid spraying from bottom to top. Vinyl siding has a draining system with small holes. If you spray from the bottom up at an angle, you risk getting water inside your walls.
The spray gun should be held about one foot away from your home’s exterior.

5. Inspection Check

Lastly, walk around the perimeter of your house and ensure everything looks clean. If everything looks good, you’re ready to put things away.

House Washing Safety Tips

Always take proper safety measures when handling a power tool, especially a power washer. Follow these safety tips:

Place your ladder at an angle and on firm ground.
Avoid spraying electrical outlets directly and ensure they have a proper cover.
Maintain control of the washer at all times so as not to hurt yourself or your house.
Kids and pets shouldn’t be around when power washing your home.

House Washing Frequently Asked Questions

How often should you wash your house?

Generally speaking, once a year, but this will depend on the kind of siding material you have and your climate conditions. Vinyl is recommended to be cleaned once a year or when there’s a significant buildup of mildew, mold, or algae.

Can you pressure wash any house surface?

No, pressure washing uses high pressure, around 2,000 to 4,000 PSI, and is only recommended for hard surfaces such as concrete, brick, and planks. For house washing, the recommendation is to use the soft-washing method, which uses low pressure and a combination of cleaning chemicals to remove mildew, mold, and algae.

Is house washing safe for painted surfaces?

Yes, house washing uses low-pressure to clean stains, mildew, mold, and algae, and it is safe for painted surfaces when done properly. However, if the wrong pressure is applied, you risk removing the paint.

Do you need to wet plants before washing?

Yes, watering or rinsing your plants helps protect them from the chemicals used during soft washing. You should rinse your plants with water before and after you’re done washing your house.

Should you DIY or hire a pro?

Both options have pros and cons. The DIY option will give a sense of accomplishment, but you need to be comfortable working with a heavy-duty machine. You should also consider your house's features, such as height and size, and whether you want to invest in all the necessary equipment. On the other hand, hiring a pro will be straightforward; they are experts in house washing and will get it done properly and more quickly. You should expect to pay somewhere between $300 to $500, but the cost can increase depending on how big your house is and where you’re located.