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Ask the Professionals: What’s the Difference Between Soft Washing and Pressure Washing?

Ask the Professionals: What’s the Difference Between Soft Washing and Pressure Washing?

Ask the Professionals: What’s the Difference Between Soft Washing and Pressure Washing?

The way something is washed makes a big difference in how well it is washed. At power washing companies who clean exteriors for a living, there are two main option: Pressure washing and soft washing. If you are going to take control of the project yourself, then you should know what the difference is between these two options and when to do one over the other.

The main thing to look at is what is being cleaned. Then you should look at what is being cleaned off of it. Those two answers will essentially make up your mind about how to clean it. Keep reading to learn more and then reach out to Hydro Tek at 800-274-9376 if you need more information about non-commercial or commercial pressure washers.

What is soft washing?

Soft washing, which is sometimes referred to as detergent cleaning, is generally used when trying to loosen blemishes that are hard to get rid of, when cleaning up stubborn stains, or when cleaning sensitive materials. One example is corrosion on cement. It is often also used to get rid of mildew off of vinyl siding, or to freshen up a dirty roof.

The disadvantages of soft washing

Soft washing is very fast and it is effective but there are disadvantages. First, it can hurt the organic matter around the area. As a result, it is not a good option for anything that’s in the middle of landscaping. Second, it can dull paint. If you are considering soft washing for the side of a painted house, then it may not be the best option. Finally, it can etch glass, which means it is not a good choice for cleaning windows and other glass surfaces.

What is pressure washing?

As the name implies, pressure washing involves using high pressured water to clean up materials and surfaces. Note that only durable materials and surfaces can be cleaned with pressure washing. It is great at cleaning up dirt, muck, and other difficult materials but it can damage certain surfaces. For example, a hot water pressure washer is great for washing a patio or stripping a metal surface before painting. On the other hand, it would not be a good choice to clean your front door.

What type of pressure washer do you need?

If you are considering investing in a pressure washer then you are likely wondering what type you need. The answer is simple: Reach out to Hydro Tek and we can help you determine what will work best. With our decades of experience in this field, we know how to understand your needs, consider the options, and give expert advice.

Are you ready now? Are you interested in knowing what your options are and what they may cost? If you answered yes to any of these questions then we urge you to contact us at 800-274-9376 right away.

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  • Hot Water Pressure Washers

    Hydro Tek hot water pressure washers are designed to tackle the toughest messes wherever they may occur. Our products feature high-quality stainless steel construction, simple controls, and an innovative Spiralast™ heating coil that improves efficiency and reduces your fuel costs. We manufacture the Spiralast™ coils right here in our facility using a proprietary cold rolled process and robotic welds for exceptional strength and unimpeded flow. Our Spiralast™ lifetime warranty is the ONLY lifetime heating coil warranty in the industry.

  • Advantages of a Hot Water Pressure Washer

    Simply by heating up the water, a hot water pressure washer delivers dramatically improved cleaning power compared to a cold water machine. Hot water pressure washers are especially useful for cleaning sticky, greasy, or oily surfaces, because they will loosen the dirt much faster without the large amounts of soap, detergent, or other cleaning chemicals that must be used with a cold water system.

  • Hot Water Pressure Washer Applications

    A hot water pressure washer is essential for any cleanup job involving a sticky, greasy, or oily mess, as well as for applications where a surface must be sanitized. With a variety of models available, including self-contained mobile units with gas, diesel, or electric power, Hydro Tek hot water pressure washers can go anywhere and clean anything. Some common applications include heavy equipment cleaning, vehicle cleaning, graffiti removal, restaurant hood vent cleaning, and livestock facility cleaning.

Quality & Innovation Since 1985

Hydro Tek

From simple beginnings in 1985, Hydro Tek has grown to become the most trusted name in the pressure washer manufacturing industry.

How did we do it? By continually focusing on quality and reliability as the key to customer satisfaction, and by incorporating the latest technologies into our design and manufacturing processes.

By 1991, we were using computer-aided drafting systems to refine our product designs and improve efficiency. In 1997, we brought the power of computers to the shop floor by incorporating laser-cutting and other CNC manufacturing machinery, and in 2001 we began focusing on improving efficiency through the latest manufacturing techniques. The end result has been superior products delivered at a superior value to our customers. Through the next decade, we look forward to fulfilling our vision of making our products the "obvious choice" for all your industrial and commercial cleaning needs.