Softwashing, pressure washing, pressure cleaning, and roof shampoo in Katonah. The differences and similarities.
When it comes to getting your home exterior clean, there are different terminology used by various pressure washing and roof cleaning companies.
When people call or text us at 914-490-8138 to get a free estimate on roof washing or getting their home exterior washed, we often have to explain the different terms before talking about the job itself.
Yes, our name is Westchester Power Washing, another term as well that can get people confused. Power washing means we use commercial grade pressure washing equipment to professionally clean your house, roof, patio, deck, siding, walkways, sidewalk, fence, stairs, walls, outdoor furniture, and siding.
To help understand the power washing services you need to get your residential home exterior clean of dirt, grime, mold, mildew, lichens, black streaks, and stains, we divided it into Soft Washing vs Pressure Washing.
In addition, we have a graph showing the two services with the surfaces described where we would use soft washing vs pressure washing.

Is soft washing a better and safer technique to clean your Katonah home exterior than pressure washing?
To start, let’s look at how the two systems function. They both run water through a pump and a hose, and the water is then sprayed onto the house to remove dirt, mold, mildew, and stains. Cleaning solutions are sprayed through the hoses and applied to the house or surfaces being cleaned whether you use a soft wash technique or pressure wash.
Here are the key difference between soft washing and pressure washing/cleaning:
With pressure cleaning, the water is pressurized, so it sprays harder to remove mold, dirt, and so on. The advantages of this system are that you can utilize fewer cleaning solutions when cleaning and that you can provide a more thorough cleaning for tougher surfaces such as a concrete driveway.
Is pressure cleaning safe?
Yes. But like anything, if you don’t utilize the equipment appropriately, you can cause harm. But if you appropriately use a pressure cleaning system, you will cause no harm to any surface and you can get surfaces clean with few if any, cleaning solutions.
Soft washing runs water through a pump with very little pressurization. This consists of a higher volume of water rather than pressurized water being sprayed from the hose. Soft washing also uses a higher concentration of cleaning solutions when cleaning a home or roof. Where a pressure cleaner may be able to remove some dirt with no solution because of the pressure, soft washing systems need the cleaning solution to help loosen the dirt before the water is sprayed to remove it.
The benefit of soft washing is that there is less pressure being applied to a home, meaning less chance of damage. But that benefit means more water and cleaning solutions are used.
Is soft washing safe?
Yes. Like pressure cleaning, though, if you do not use the system properly, you may cause damage. High chemical concentrates (used by other companies) can kill plant life and damage certain surfaces. Properly used, though, soft washing is a safe way to clean.
So, which cleaning process is better, soft washing or pressure washing?
As the chart shows, neither soft washing nor pressure washing is better than the other. Each cleaning process is specific to the surface being cleaned. So the key is to know whether you need your roof washed- then it is to be soft-washed only, or getting your walkways cleaned, which would mean pressure washing as those surfaces are much harder and require more power to get them cleaned.
About Westchester Power Washing
With more than 30 years in the pressure cleaning and soft roof washing business and more than 18,000 happy customers, Westchester Power Washing is one of the few companies that has the experience to deliver the best results for your home’s exterior. If you have questions, want a free estimate, or book an appointment, contact Peter Salotto directly at 914-490-8138.
And yes, Westchester Power Washing is properly insured with Worker’s Compensation and Liability insurance, which most pressure washing companies do not have. This places you, the homeowner, at risk.
Call or text us today for the best home exterior and roof washing available, 914-490-8138.
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING ZIP CODES IN WESTCHESTER, PUTNAM, AND DUTCHESS COUNTY FOR ROOF CLEANING, HOME EXTERIOR WASHING, PATIO, AND DECK CLEANING.
Ardsley NY 10502, Armonk NY 10504, Bedford NY 10506, Bedford Hills NY 10507. Briarcliff Manor 10510, Chappaqua NY 10514, Brewster NY 10509, Carmel (Kent) NY 10512, Cortlandt Manor NY 10567, Croton on Hudson NY 10520.
Dobbs Ferry NY 10522, Eastchester NY 10709, Goldens Bridge NY 10526. Harrison NY 10528, Hartsdale NY 10530, Hawthorne NY 10532, Hopewell Junction NY 12533, Irvington NY 10533, Katonah NY 10536, Larchmont NY 10538.
Mahopac NY 10541, Mamaroneck NY 10543, Millwood NY 10546, Mohegan Lake NY 10547, Montrose NY 10548, Mt. Kisco NY 10549, New Rochelle NY 10804, 10801, 10802, 10803, 10805, North Salem NY 10560, Ossining NY 10562, Pleasantville NY 10570.
Pound Ridge NY 10576, Purchase NY 10577, Putnam Valley NY 10579, Rye NY 10580, Rye Brook NY 10573. Scarsdale NY 10583, Sleepy Hollow NY 10591, Somers NY 10589, South Salem NY 10590, Tarrytown NY 10591, Thornwood NY 10594.
Valhalla NY 10595, Waccabuc NY 10597, West Harrison 10604, Westchester. White Plains NY 10601,10602,10603,10604,10605,10606,10607, Yorktown Heights NY 10598
If you are interested in seeing some of our popular houses, roof, deck, and patio pressure cleaning videos on YouTube click here.
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needs to be cleaned too.
One of the common questions searched is, what is the safest and best way to wash a house? Since 1990, we have washed more than 18,000 homes. This includes washing roofs, siding, decks, patios, pavers, bricks, pool decking, driveways, and walkways. We also wash outdoor furniture and fencing. When it comes to pressure washing a house or roof, we have done it all.
Peter Salotto, the owner of Westchester Pressure Washing, a retired NY Police Officer, loves washing homes and has been doing so since 1990. He is the one who will come out to your home to give you the free home exterior cleaning estimate. Also, Peter will be the one who washes your home, siding, roof, deck, patio, furniture, fencing, or walkways.
Yes. Westchester Power Washing is insured to pressure wash homes in NY. We guarantee our home exterior and pressure washing services. We believe in customer service. In addition, we have many 5star reviews on Google Business and on Facebook from satisfied homeowners.
Do you have moss growing on your roof? Are there black streaks and marks on your roof? Is your siding dirty with black, oily stains? Do you want to get your roof and siding clean? Are you searching for a pressure washing and roof cleaning company near you in
When you call Westchester Power Washing to have your home and roof washed, Peter is the one who personally cleans your home. In addition, Westchester Power Washing is one of the few pressure cleaning companies that has liability and worker’s compensation specifically for roof washing and pressure cleaning.
Typically on asphalt roofs, you will see black streaks on your roof. These black streaks indicate your roof has a bacteria called Gleocapsa Magma. This bacteria is similar to algae. If you allow this bacteria to continue to grow, you will eventually see other fungi and bacteria grow on your roof. This includes mold, moss, and lichen. All of these make your roof retain moisture and then damage your roof.
Westchester Power Washing pressure washes your home, sidewalk, driveway, or deck, patio, fence, and furniture with expertise. Furthermore, our pressure/ power washing is the best in the New York area. As well as known for our fast and excellent. We pay attention to detail and leave your home exterior looking new. Additionally, our Power Washing expert, Peter Salotto is the best in the power washing and roof cleaning business in Westchester, Putnam & Dutchess County, NY.
With Westchester Power Washing, our power washing won’t disturb your trees, shrubs, or flower beds. We take pride in our power cleaning work. In addition, we take every precaution to protect your furniture, home, landscape, and lawn.
Many people pressure wash their entryways and sidewalks, but have you thought about washing your siding, roof, deck, patio, pool area, or driveway? You won’t believe what a big difference it makes in your Westchester home’s curb appeal. After power washing your home and property in New York, we give you our clean home guarantee. This way, your home is clean of dirt, grime, oil, black streaks, lichen, moss, mold, and mildew for years to come.
Mold, mildew, dirt, moss, mildew, oil, and grime can embed in your Armonk home’s siding without proper cleaning. In addition, this impacts your Armonk home’s curb appeal, value, and your health. In addition, it could affect your insurance policy.