Soft washing is how you safely clean the surfaces that high pressure would destroy — vinyl and painted siding, stucco, wood, and roofs. Instead of brute force, it uses a gentle, low-pressure application of biodegradable cleaning solutions that kill mold, mildew, algae, and bacteria at the root, then rinse away clean. The result lasts far longer than pressure alone because it removes the organism, not just the stain. In Hickory’s humid Foothills climate, that’s exactly what most homes need — and it has been HydroClean’s specialty for 16 years.

What Soft Washing Is Best For

Vinyl & Painted Siding

High pressure forces water behind siding and can crack or strip it. Soft washing cleans siding thoroughly and safely, lifting the green and black mildew that builds up on shaded walls without risking the surface or your paint.

Roofs (Asphalt Shingle & More)

Those black streaks on your roof are Gloeocapsa magma — a hardy algae that feeds on shingle granules and shortens roof life. Our no-pressure roof cleaning soft wash kills it at the source and is the method recommended by shingle manufacturers. Never let anyone pressure wash a shingle roof.

Stucco, Wood & Delicate Exteriors

Porous and painted surfaces need a gentle touch. Soft washing restores them without the etching, splintering, or finish damage that high pressure causes.

How Our Soft Washing Works

1. Apply

We apply a biodegradable cleaning solution tailored to the surface and the type of growth on it.

2. Dwell

The solution is given time to work — breaking down and killing the algae, mold, and mildew down to the root.

3. Rinse

A gentle, low-pressure rinse carries everything away, leaving a clean surface and no damage. Because the organism is dead, regrowth is far slower than after a pressure-only clean.

Soft Washing vs. Pressure Washing

The two aren’t competitors — they’re tools for different surfaces. Hard surfaces like driveways, concrete, and brick can handle the muscle of pressure washing. Siding, roofs, and painted wood need the gentle approach of soft washing. The most common (and expensive) mistake homeowners see is a company using high pressure on a roof or siding. We pick the right method for each surface, every time.

Why Hickory Trusts HydroClean

16 Years Soft Washing the Foothills

We’ve been soft washing Hickory homes since 2010 — 5,000+ jobs and counting. We know our local climate, our red clay, and what our homes are built from.

Licensed, Insured & Guaranteed

Fully insured, with a 1-year house wash warranty and workmanship we stand behind.

4.8 Stars Across 260+ Reviews

Our reputation is built one clean home at a time.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is soft washing and how is it different from pressure washing?

Soft washing uses low pressure plus biodegradable cleaning solutions to kill algae, mold, and mildew at the root on delicate surfaces like siding and roofs. Pressure washing uses high-pressure water for hard surfaces like concrete. Using the wrong one — especially high pressure on a roof or siding — causes damage.

Is soft washing safe for my roof?

Yes — it’s the only safe way to clean an asphalt shingle roof and it’s the method shingle manufacturers recommend. Pressure washing a roof strips the protective granules and voids warranties.

How long do soft washing results last?

Much longer than pressure alone, because we kill the algae and mildew at the root rather than just rinsing the surface. In Hickory’s humidity, most homes stay clean for a year or more.

Are the cleaning solutions safe for plants and pets?

We use biodegradable solutions and take care to protect landscaping during the job. Let us know about sensitive plantings and we’ll plan around them.

How much does soft washing cost?

Every home is quoted individually by size, surfaces, and condition. Estimates are free — call (828) 499-1318 for a real number.

Service Areas

Hickory, Conover, Newton, Granite Falls, Lenoir, Morganton, Taylorsville, Statesville, Denver, Mooresville, Cornelius, Davidson, Huntersville, Lincolnton, and Wilkesboro.