Soft washing effectively removes the toughest contaminants to keep your outdoor living environment clean, safe, and beautiful. But how can you tell when your home needs pressure washing? In this short guide, we’ll recommend the best conditions for soft washing your exteriors and how often you need to do it.

When Should I Soft Wash My Home?

Soft washing once or twice a year is a good baseline. The end of any given season is the best time to do so. For instance, cleaning your home by the end of summer can eliminate pollen, tree sap, and other irritants. A fall soft wash removes accumulated mulch and helps protect your surfaces from mold and mildew growth in the coming winter.

Take a good look at your home’s exteriors and feel the surfaces for dirt and dust. If the buildup is severe, it might be time for another wash.

Factors Affecting Soft Washing Frequency

Depending on where you are, the number of times you should clean your home may vary. Here are some things to consider.

Frequent rains or a major storm – Delaware experiences the occasional bad weather throughout the year. Extreme winds and rainfall cause faster dirt buildup, so your home may need a soft wash once they subside.
Close tree proximity – Some trees develop more sap during the summer months. If some trees are too close to your house, the fluids they exude can damage or stain its surfaces.

Car traffic – If you live in a more urban area that gets a lot of traffic, dust particles can quickly accumulate on your home’s surfaces. A soft wash may be necessary, especially during hot and dry months.

Excessive heat and humidity – Delaware summers tend to be hot and humid. Sadly, this kind of climate attracts mold and mildew. These contaminants can pose serious health risks, so it’s best to act fast once you spot some growth or if your household is beginning to show symptoms like:

Common allergic reactions
Fever
Headaches

Wait for the Perfect Day

Clear, sunny skies and comfortable temperatures are the best conditions under which to clean your exteriors. This kind of weather makes the job much easier and faster.

If you’re planning on taking the DIY pressure washing route, wait for warmer weather before you begin maintenance. Condensation builds up quickly during the colder months, and the added moisture from your soft wash can encourage mold and mildew growth.

Want to Learn More About Soft Washing?

At the end of the day, it falls on you to decide the best time to soft wash your house. After all, every property is different and has its own unique quirks that only the homeowner knows inside and out.

If you’re new to the soft washing game and you still have some questions and concerns, the Top Down Exterior Cleaning team can answer them for you! Feel free to give them a call—they would be happy to share some soft washing and paver sealing tips!