Part of our house wash & exterior services in Wellington.
In Wellington, the outside of a house gets salt, damp and wind-blown grime all year. The temptation is to get the water blaster out. The trouble is that high pressure strips paint, scars timber, cracks plaster and drives water into gaps that the wind has already been working on.
Soft washing cleans the house without wrecking it.
How it works
- Protect plants and anything delicate.
- Apply a biodegradable solution at low pressure.
- Let it work on the mould, lichen, algae, salt and dirt.
- Rinse it all off gently.
The growth dies rather than just getting knocked back, so the house stays cleaner for longer.
What we soft wash
- painted weatherboards and fibre-cement
- plaster and monolithic cladding
- roofs
- windows, joinery and outdoor furniture
- newer concrete
Why it suits Wellington houses
Older timber homes. Wellington has plenty of villas and bungalows with layers of old paint. High pressure can lift it in sheets.
Salt. Coastal and harbour-view homes get a salty film that a soft wash breaks down properly.
Wind-driven rain. Water forced behind weatherboards by a blaster has a hard time drying out in a Wellington winter.
Hard surfaces
Concrete driveways, paths and steps often need more pressure to clean properly. That's covered on our pressure washing Wellington page.
Want a price? It's free and there's no obligation.
Areas we cover
Wellington city, Lower Hutt, Upper Hutt and Porirua. For a house, book a house wash. For buildings, see commercial building washing.
Soft wash questions
Why soft wash instead of water blasting in Wellington?
A lot of Wellington homes are older weatherboard villas and bungalows, and high pressure can lift paint and drive water into old timber. Soft washing uses low pressure and a cleaning solution that kills mould and algae, so the house comes up clean without getting knocked around.
Will soft washing get rid of salt build-up?
Yes. Coastal wind leaves salt on cladding, joinery and windows, and it mixes with dirt and algae into a grimy film. A soft wash lifts it off, and we rinse everything with clean water afterwards.
Can you soft wash a roof?
Yes, we soft wash roofs as well as walls. If the roof is thick with moss and lichen, a roof treatment that's left to work over time can be the better option, and we'll talk you through both.
When's the best time of year to get a soft wash in Wellington?
Early autumn is a good time, while the weather is mild and before winter sets in. The end of winter works well too, to clear off what's built up over the wet months. Spraying is best done on a calm day, so in Wellington it pays to keep an eye on the wind forecast.
Is soft washing safe for my garden and pets?
We use eco-friendly products and set up the area before we start, so the garden around the house isn't affected. Keep pets inside while we're spraying and until everything's been rinsed.
How often should I get my house soft washed?
Once a year suits most Wellington homes. Exposed coastal houses and damp, shady sections can need it more often.
Related services
House wash WellingtonSoft washing for Wellington homes. Mould and salt gone, paint left alone.
Roof cleaning WellingtonRoof washing for Wellington homes. Moss, lichen and mould off the same day.
Pressure washing WellingtonWater blasting for Wellington driveways, paths, steps and concrete.
Commercial building wash WellingtonExterior washing for Wellington offices, apartments and body corporate sites.