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Updated October 2026. General information, not legal or tax advice. Licensing and insurance rules vary by state and city.

Window cleaning may be the cheapest home service business to start. Jobber’s window cleaning guide notes you can launch for under $1,000 if you work solo and already have a vehicle, and the work is naturally recurring: clean windows get dirty again every few months. Here’s how to start a window cleaning business in 2026, step by step.

How to start a window cleaning business: quick steps

1. Decide on residential, commercial, or both
2. Budget your startup costs
3. Register your business and get an EIN
4. Check local licenses and safety rules
5. Get insured
6. Buy your equipment
7. Set your prices
8. Set up software for routes, reminders, and payments
9. Win your first customers
10. Turn one-time jobs into recurring routes

1. Decide on residential, commercial, or both

Residential jobs pay more per visit (Housecall Pro puts a medium home at $250–$450) and work well with seasonal schedules. Commercial storefronts pay less per visit ($40–$75 for a small storefront) but repeat every few weeks, which fills your route on slow days. Most successful companies do both: storefronts for steady weekly income, homes for bigger tickets.

2. Budget your startup costs

Without a water-fed pole, a lean solo start can come in under $1,000 to $2,000 if you already own a vehicle. Insurance range from MoneyGeek for exterior cleaning businesses.

3. Register your business and get an EIN

Many owners form an LLC to separate personal and business liability (see the SBA’s guide). Get a free EIN from the IRS and open a business bank account.

4. Check local licenses and safety rules

There’s usually no state “window cleaning license,” but you’ll typically need a city or county business license. Ask your local licensing office about any rules for ladders on commercial buildings and working near power lines with extension poles. Never take high-rise rope or lift work until you’re trained and insured for it.

5. Get insured

General liability is essential: a dropped ladder through a skylight costs far more than a year of premiums. Add workers’ compensation when you hire (required in most states), commercial auto if you drive for work, and specialized coverage before doing multi-story commercial work. Commercial clients will ask for a certificate of insurance.

6. Buy your equipment

• Squeegees and channels in a few sizes (12″, 14″, 18″)
• T-bar with microfiber sleeve for applying solution
• Scrapers for paint specks and stickers (use carefully on tempered glass)
• Bucket with belt holster and a quality window cleaning solution
• Extension pole and a stable ladder with stabilizer
• Water-fed pole system (optional): pure water and a brush on a long pole, so you can clean second- and third-story windows from the ground

Many window cleaners add gutter cleaning and pressure washing later. Our pressure washing equipment list covers that gear.

7. Set your prices

Source: Housecall Pro window cleaning pricing guide (August 2026). Jobber reports an average residential job of about $310. Offer a lower per-visit rate for customers who sign up for quarterly or monthly service.

8. Set up software for routes, reminders, and payments

Window cleaning lives and dies on recurring routes, so software pays off early. The right tool reminds customers before each visit, groups nearby stops, and charges cards automatically after the job.

• Jobber is our top pick for new window cleaners: recurring jobs, a Client Hub for online approvals and payments, and route optimization and automatic payments from the Connect plan. Core starts at $29/month (annual). Jobber also publishes free window cleaning estimate templates. Read our Jobber review.
• Housecall Pro fits US crews: five users for $149/month (annual) with automatic Google review requests on every plan.

See every option in our guide to the best window cleaning software.

Try Jobber free for 14 days Try Housecall Pro free

9. Win your first customers

• Door-to-door canvassing. Still one of the fastest ways to fill a route. Knock on the streets around every job.
• Google Business Profile. Free, and where homeowners look first. Post before-and-after photos and ask for reviews.
• Storefront walk-ins. Offer a free first clean of the front glass to downtown shops, then quote recurring service.
• Partners. Realtors, property managers, painters, and pressure washers can all refer work.

10. Turn one-time jobs into recurring routes

A route of 100 customers on quarterly service gives you steady work all year. At the end of every job, offer a recurring plan with a small discount, set it up in your software on the spot, and keep the card on file. Add gutter cleaning, screen repair, and house washing to raise your average ticket.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to start a window cleaning business?

A solo start with a vehicle you already own can cost under $1,000 to $2,000 for tools, insurance, and basic marketing. A water-fed pole system adds $1,000 or more.

Do you need a license to clean windows?

Most places don’t require a specific window cleaning license, but you’ll usually need a local business license. Check your city and county rules.

How much do window cleaners make per job?

Typical residential jobs run about $150–$450 for small to medium homes, with larger homes reaching $900 or more. Jobber reports an average residential job of about $310.

What’s the best software for a new window cleaning business?

Jobber is our top pick for most new window cleaners because it handles recurring jobs, quotes, and automatic payments from $29/month. See our window cleaning software guide.

Is window cleaning a good business to start?

Yes, for many people. Startup costs are low, demand is recurring, and it pairs well with pressure washing and gutter cleaning once you grow.

Disclosure: PowerWashPal may earn a commission if you sign up through some links on this page, at no extra cost to you. How we make money.

Updated October 2026. This guide is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules vary by state and city, so confirm requirements locally.

Pressure washing is one of the easiest home service businesses to start. You don’t need a degree or a storefront, the equipment fits on a trailer, and every house, driveway, and storefront in your area gets dirty again every year. IBISWorld estimates the US pressure washing services industry at about $1.2 billion in 2026 across roughly 32,000 businesses, with the number of companies growing faster than revenue, so standing out matters.

Here’s how to start a pressure washing business in 10 steps, with real cost ranges and the mistakes that sink new owners.

How to start a pressure washing business: quick steps

1. Pick your services and target customers
2. Estimate your startup costs
3. Choose a business structure and register
4. Get licenses and check wastewater rules
5. Get insured
6. Buy the right equipment
7. Learn safe technique
8. Set your prices
9. Set up software for quotes, scheduling, and payments
10. Win your first 20 customers

1. Pick your services and target customers

Start with services that are easy to learn and in steady demand:

• Driveways, sidewalks, and patios (pressure washing with a surface cleaner)
• House washing (soft washing siding at low pressure)
• Decks and fences

Add roof soft washing, gutter brightening, and commercial flatwork once you’re confident. Learn the difference between the two core methods in our soft washing vs pressure washing guide. Residential customers are easier to win first. Commercial accounts (storefronts, restaurants, HOAs, property managers) bring recurring income later.

2. Estimate your startup costs

Costs swing widely depending on whether you buy a trailer rig on day one. ZenBusiness puts the full range at about $6,000 to $50,000+. A lean start using a vehicle you already own looks more like this:

A trailer setup adds about $5,000, and a custom van $30,000 or more (ZenBusiness).

3. Choose a business structure and register

• Sole proprietorship is simplest, but your personal assets aren’t separated from the business.
• An LLC is the most common choice for washing businesses because it separates business and personal liability. Filing fees are typically $50–$500 depending on your state. The SBA’s business structure guide compares the options.
• Get an EIN. It’s free from the IRS, and you can apply online in minutes.
• Open a business bank account to keep income and expenses clean for taxes.

4. Get licenses and check wastewater rules

Most states don’t have a dedicated pressure washing license, but you’ll usually need a city or county business license, and some places have specific rules. For example, Fort Worth, Texas requires a mobile power washer permit and bans wash water from entering storm drains, with fines up to $2,000 per violation. If you add painting, sealing, or restoration work, contractor licensing rules can apply, so check with your state licensing board.

Wastewater matters. Under local stormwater programs tied to the Clean Water Act, most cities prohibit dirty wash water from entering storm drains. Common requirements on commercial jobs include blocking drains, recovering water with a vacuum, and filtering it. Cities like Brookhaven, Georgia publish pressure washing guidance worth reading even if you work elsewhere.

5. Get insured

One cracked window or a slip on a wet driveway can cost more than a season’s profit. Typical costs for pressure washing businesses:

Sources: Insureon, MoneyGeek. Commercial clients will often ask for a certificate of insurance before you start.

6. Buy the right equipment

Buy for GPM (flow), not just PSI. A commercial machine around 4 GPM with a triplex pump will clean driveways far faster than a homeowner unit. Pair it with a 20-inch surface cleaner, 100+ feet of non-marking hose, a quality gun and nozzle set, and safety gear. Our full pressure washing equipment list covers what to buy first and what can wait.

7. Learn safe technique

Most damage claims come from using too much pressure on the wrong surface: etched concrete, gouged wood, water forced behind vinyl siding, or shingles stripped of granules. Practice on your own property first, and never pressure wash asphalt shingles. The Power Washers of North America (PWNA) offers certificate courses in house washing, roof cleaning, flatwork, and environmental compliance, which also help you win commercial work.

8. Set your prices

Typical US rates run about $0.20–$0.40 per square foot for concrete, $0.10–$0.50 for house washing, and $100–$250 minimum per visit. Price from your own costs with this formula: price = break-even cost ÷ (1 − target margin), aiming for a 20–40% margin. Our 2026 pressure washing price guide has rates by surface, job, and city.

9. Set up software for quotes, scheduling, and payments

The fastest-growing new washing businesses look professional from day one: branded quotes sent within the hour, automatic reminders, and online payments. Field service software handles all of that for less than one driveway a month.

• Jobber is our top pick for new owners. Core starts at $29/month (annual) for one user and includes quotes, scheduling, invoicing, online payments, and a customer portal. On Grow, quotes can include optional add-ons like “house wash” or “gutter brightening,” which Jobber says lifts the average pressure washing quote by over $300. Read our Jobber review.
• Housecall Pro is the better value once you add a crew in the US: five users for $149/month (annual), with automatic review requests on every plan to build your Google rating fast.

Compare both in our Jobber vs Housecall Pro guide or see all the best pressure washing software.

Try Jobber free for 14 days Try Housecall Pro free

10. Win your first 20 customers

• Google Business Profile. Free, and it’s where most local customers find you. Add real before-and-after photos and ask every customer for a review.
• Neighborhood marketing. After each job, drop door hangers on the five houses on either side and put a yard sign out (with permission).
• Nextdoor and local Facebook groups. Before-and-after posts perform well, especially driveways.
• Bundles. Offer a driveway plus house wash package to raise your average ticket.
• Partners. Realtors, property managers, HOAs, and painters all need reliable washing.
• Referral rewards. A $25 credit for every referred customer is cheap marketing.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Underpricing to win jobs, then burning out. Set a minimum charge and stick to it.
• Skipping insurance because “it’s just a driveway.”
• Buying a homeowner machine that dies mid-season.
• Letting quotes go cold. Follow up within 48 hours, or let software do it automatically.
• Ignoring runoff rules on commercial jobs.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to start a pressure washing business?

A lean start with a vehicle you already own typically costs about $3,000–$7,000 for equipment, insurance, registration, and basic marketing. Full trailer or van setups can run $10,000–$50,000+.

Do you need a license to start a pressure washing business?

Most states don’t have a specific pressure washing license, but you’ll usually need a local business license, and some cities require permits or wastewater controls. Check your city, county, and state rules.

Is a pressure washing business profitable?

It can be. Typical rates of $50–$150 per hour and job minimums of $100–$250 leave healthy margins once you control chemical, fuel, and drive-time costs and build recurring customers.

What software do pressure washing businesses use?

Jobber and Housecall Pro are the most popular all-in-one options for quoting, scheduling, invoicing, and payments. See our best pressure washing software roundup.

How do I get pressure washing customers fast?

Set up a Google Business Profile, post before-and-after photos in local groups, door-hang the neighborhoods around every job, and ask every happy customer for a review and a referral.

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, PowerWashPal earns from qualifying purchases. We may also earn a commission from some software links. This never changes our picks. How we make money.

Updated October 2026.

You can start a pressure washing business with less gear than most YouTube channels suggest. What you can’t skimp on is the stuff that touches every job: the machine, the hose, the surface cleaner, and the safety gear that keeps you working.

This is the equipment list we’d give a new owner: what to buy first, what can wait, and which specs actually matter. We picked the products below for their specs, pro-grade builds, and large numbers of buyer reviews. We haven’t put every item through a season ourselves, so read the specs against your own machine before buying.

The quick list

• Pressure washer: a gas, belt-drive or direct-drive unit with a triplex pump, around 4 GPM
• Surface cleaner: a 20-inch model for driveways and sidewalks
• Hose: 100+ feet of 3/8-inch non-marking pressure hose, plus a reel
• Nozzles, gun, and wand: a full tip set and a sturdy gun with a stainless lance
• Soft wash setup: a downstream injector to start, a 12V pump system later
• Safety gear: chemical-resistant gloves and splash goggles, every job
• Software: quoting, scheduling, and payments so you get paid for all that work

1. The pressure washer: buy for GPM, not just PSI

Beginners shop by PSI. Pros shop by GPM (gallons per minute), because flow is what rinses dirt away and what spins a surface cleaner fast enough to work. For a business, look for:

• About 4 GPM at 3,500–4,200 PSI. Homeowner machines (2–2.5 GPM) make every driveway take twice as long.
• A triplex plunger pump (brands like General Pump, Comet, or AAA) instead of an axial pump. Triplex pumps are rebuildable and last years of daily use.
• A commercial engine such as a Honda GX390 or similar.

Most pros buy their main machine from a local pressure washing supplier or a big-box store’s commercial line, because they can see it, get it serviced, and pick it up the same day. Amazon is great for everything that plugs into it.

2. Surface cleaner

A surface cleaner is the single biggest time-saver for flatwork. It spins two nozzles under a hood, so driveways come out even, without the zebra stripes a wand leaves, and in a fraction of the time.

• Pro pick: BE Pressure Whirl-A-Way 20″ surface cleaner. A long-running pro brand rated to 4,000 PSI, simple to service. Check price on Amazon
• Budget pick: 20″ stainless steel surface cleaner with wheels. One of Amazon’s most-reviewed options, fine for a first season. Check price on Amazon

Tip: match the surface cleaner’s PSI and GPM rating to your machine. A 20-inch unit suits most 4 GPM washers.

3. Hose and hose reel

Gray non-marking hose won’t leave black streaks on light concrete, which customers notice. Go with 3/8-inch diameter (less pressure loss than 1/4-inch over long runs) and at least 100 feet.

• YAMATIC 3/8″ x 100 ft non-marking pressure hose, steel-wire braided with swivel quick connects. Check price on Amazon
• M MINGLE pressure washer hose reel, holds 200 ft of 3/8″ hose. Saves 10 minutes of coiling at every stop. Check price on Amazon

4. Nozzles, gun, and wand

• Hourleey 7-piece nozzle tip set with a holder, 1/4″ quick connect. Covers 0° through soap and turbo-style needs. Check price on Amazon
• YAMATIC pressure washer gun with stainless steel lance, rated to 4,000 PSI, an upgrade over the plastic guns bundled with many machines. Check price on Amazon
• RIDGE WASHER gutter cleaner attachment. A curved wand for flushing gutters from a ladder, an easy add-on service. Check price on Amazon

Match your nozzle orifice to your machine. Tips are sized for specific GPM and PSI combinations. The wrong size either loses pressure or strains the pump.

5. Soft wash equipment

House washing and roof cleaning are soft wash jobs, done at low pressure with a cleaning solution (see soft washing vs pressure washing). You can start simply:

• Downstream injector. Pulls chemical into the water line after the pump, so harsh cleaners never touch your pump. The cheapest way to start soft washing houses. The YAMATIC adjustable downstream injector kit uses 3/8″ connections. Check price on Amazon
• X-Jet style applicator. Mounts at the end of the wand and can reach a three-story wall from the ground. Most pros buy these from specialty suppliers.
• 12V soft wash system (pump, tank, and chemical-rated hose reel). Worth it once you’re doing roofs every week. Buy it from a pressure washing supplier that services what it sells.

6. Safety gear (don’t skip this)

Sodium hypochlorite causes serious eye damage and skin burns, and a 4,000 PSI stream can cut skin. Wear protection on every job:

• LANON chemical-resistant nitrile gloves, long cuff, 3 pairs. Check price on Amazon
• 3M GoggleGear 500 safety goggles with anti-fog lenses. Sealed goggles protect better than glasses against drift and splash. Check price on Amazon
• Rubber boots, a rain jacket or chemical-resistant suit, and a respirator for strong chemical work. Follow each product’s safety data sheet.

7. Maintenance supplies

• JB Industries Pump Guard antifreeze and lubricant. Run it through the pump before storage or freezing nights to protect seals. Check price on Amazon
• Spare O-rings, quick connects, and a backup nozzle set. A $2 O-ring shouldn’t end your day.

8. The tool that gets you paid: business software

Equipment does the work. Software makes sure you get paid for it, and fast. Once you’re sending more than a few quotes a week, a field service app pays for itself:

• Jobber is our top pick for new owners: quotes customers approve online, automatic follow-ups on quotes and invoices (Connect plan and up), online payments, and a client hub. It starts at $29/month billed annually and works in the US, Canada, UK, and Australia.
• Housecall Pro is the better value once you have a small crew in the US: 5 users for $149/month billed annually, with automatic review requests on every plan to grow your Google reviews.

Both have 14-day free trials. Our Jobber vs Housecall Pro comparison breaks the choice down by crew size.

Try Jobber free for 14 days Try Housecall Pro free

What to buy first (and what can wait)

Once your gear is sorted, set your rates with our 2026 pressure washing price guide.

Just getting started? Read our step-by-step guide on how to start a pressure washing business, then compare tools in our Jobber review.

Frequently asked questions

What equipment do I need to start a pressure washing business?

At minimum: a commercial-grade pressure washer (around 4 GPM), a 20-inch surface cleaner, 100+ feet of 3/8-inch non-marking hose, a nozzle set with a solid gun and wand, and chemical-resistant gloves and goggles. Add a downstream injector to start offering soft wash house cleaning.

Is PSI or GPM more important?

For a business, GPM. Flow rinses dirt away and powers surface cleaners. A 4 GPM machine cleans far faster than a 2.5 GPM machine at the same PSI.

Can I use a residential pressure washer for business?

You can for a few weekend jobs, but homeowner machines use axial pumps that wear out quickly under daily use and run at low GPM. Plan to upgrade early.

Do I need a soft wash system right away?

No. A downstream injector lets you soft wash houses using your pressure washer. A dedicated 12V system becomes worth it when you’re doing roofs regularly.

Product availability and prices on Amazon change often. Check the current listing before you buy.

Disclosure: PowerWashPal may earn a commission if you sign up through some links on this page, at no extra cost to you. How we make money.

Updated October 2026. Price ranges come from published 2024–2026 cost guides (Angi, HomeAdvisor, Fixr, HomeGuide) and pricing guides from Housecall Pro and Jobber. Sources are linked throughout.

Charge too little and you work hard for nothing. Charge too much and the phone stops ringing. This guide gives you the going rates for pressure washing in 2026, a simple formula to set your own prices, and a quick way to turn them into quotes customers say yes to.

The quick answer

• Concrete and driveways: about $0.20–$0.40 per square foot, or $100–$300 for a typical driveway.
• House washing: about $0.10–$0.50 per square foot, or roughly $250–$800 for most one- and two-story homes.
• Roof soft washing: about $0.30–$1.00 per square foot, or $350–$750 for a typical roof.
• Hourly rate: $50–$150 per hour per tech is the common range.
• Minimum charge: most companies set a minimum of $100–$250 per visit.

How much to charge for pressure washing per square foot

Per-square-foot pricing is the most common method because it scales fairly with job size and is easy to explain to customers.

Sources: Angi (Aug 2026), HomeAdvisor (Jun 2026), Housecall Pro (Mar 2026), Fixr (2025), HomeGuide (2024).

How much to charge for pressure washing a driveway, house, and more

Cost guides disagree on the average house wash (Fixr reports about $700, HomeGuide about $265), which tells you how much local markets and house sizes vary. Use the ranges as a sanity check, then price from your own costs.

What pressure washers charge by city

Angi’s 2026 data shows the average pressure washing job ranges from about $190 in Phoenix to $420 in Portland, Maine:

Source: Angi. The easiest local check: ask three competitors for a quote on your own driveway.

Hourly rates and minimum charges

Most published sources put pressure washing labor at $50–$150 per hour per tech, and HomeAdvisor notes a three-person crew can run about $300 per hour. Commercial crews often bill $100–$200 per hour, and after-hours work commonly runs 1.5x–2x.

Almost every successful company sets a minimum charge of $100–$250. Driving across town, unloading, and setting up costs you the same whether the job is a single patio or a whole driveway, so the minimum protects your day.

A simple formula to set your own prices

Going rates tell you what the market accepts. Your costs tell you whether you make money. Housecall Pro’s pricing guide uses a clean formula:

Price = break-even cost ÷ (1 − target margin)

Your break-even cost is labor, chemicals, fuel, equipment wear, insurance, and software for that job. Most washing businesses aim for a 20–40% margin.

Example: a 600 sq ft driveway

• Labor: 1.25 hours × $35/hour (your pay or your tech’s) = $43.75
• Chemicals and fuel: $12
• Equipment wear, insurance, software, and drive time share: $45
• Break-even cost: about $101
• Price at a 35% margin: $101 ÷ 0.65 ≈ $155 (about $0.26 per sq ft)

That lands inside the market range for driveways, so the price is both profitable and competitive.

What raises or lowers the price

• Height and stories. Two- and three-story homes need more time, ladders, or extension wands.
• Buildup. Heavy mildew, oxidation, rust, and oil stains need extra chemicals and dwell time.
• Surface type. Stucco, wood, and roofs need soft washing and more care.
• Access and water. Tight gates, steep yards, delicate landscaping, or no outdoor spigot all add time.
• Timing. Same-day, weekend, or after-hours work can carry a premium.
• Recurring work. A lower per-visit price for a yearly or quarterly plan is worth it for steady income.

Turn your prices into quotes customers accept

Knowing your prices is half the job. The other half is getting quotes out fast, because most homeowners collect two or three and pick the first good one. This is where field service software pays for itself:

• Save a price book. Load your per-square-foot rates and add-ons once, then build a quote in minutes on site or from your truck.
• Offer optional add-ons. Jobber lets you add optional line items with photos to a quote (on its Grow plan). A driveway customer can tick “house wash” or “gutter brightening” with one tap.
• Follow up automatically. Jobber (Connect and up) chases unanswered quotes for you, and Housecall Pro lets customers approve and pay online from a text.
• Ask for reviews. Housecall Pro sends review requests after every job on all plans, which helps you charge more over time because strong reviews justify premium prices.

New to the trade? Start with how to start a pressure washing business. Not sure which tool fits? Read our Jobber vs Housecall Pro comparison or the full list of the best pressure washing software.

Try Jobber free for 14 days Try Housecall Pro free

Frequently asked questions

How much should I charge to pressure wash a driveway?

Most companies charge $100–$300 for a standard two-car driveway, or about $0.20–$0.40 per square foot. Charge more for oil stains or heavy buildup.

How much should I charge to pressure wash a house?

Typical quotes run about $250–$500 for a one-story home and $400–$800 for a two-story home, with larger or dirtier homes costing more. Per square foot, that’s roughly $0.10–$0.50.

Should I charge by the hour or by the square foot?

Per square foot works best for most residential jobs because customers can compare it easily and you get paid more when you work faster. Hourly pricing suits unpredictable jobs like graffiti or heavy commercial grease.

What’s a good minimum charge for pressure washing?

$100–$250 is common. Set yours at the price that covers your drive, setup, and at least an hour of profitable work.

How much does roof soft washing cost?

Most roof soft washes cost $350–$750, or about $0.30–$1.00 per square foot. Learn why roofs are soft washed instead of pressure washed in our soft washing vs pressure washing guide.

Disclosure: PowerWashPal may earn a commission if you sign up through some links on this page, at no extra cost to you. How we make money.

Updated October 2026.

Soft washing and pressure washing both get surfaces clean, but they work in opposite ways. Pressure washing blasts dirt off with force. Soft washing kills and loosens the grime with cleaning solutions, then rinses it away gently. Using the wrong one can strip granules off a roof, force water behind vinyl siding, or gouge a cedar deck.

Here’s how the two methods differ, which surfaces need which, and what that means if you run (or are starting) an exterior cleaning business.

The quick answer

• Pressure washing uses high-pressure water, usually 1,300–3,000 PSI, to clean hard surfaces like concrete driveways, sidewalks, and patios.
• Soft washing uses low pressure, generally under 500 PSI, plus cleaning solutions to clean delicate surfaces like roofs, vinyl siding, stucco, and painted wood.
• Roofs should never be pressure washed. The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association says high-pressure systems are likely to damage asphalt roofing.

What is pressure washing?

Pressure washing uses a gas or electric pump to push water out of a narrow nozzle at high pressure, typically 1,300–3,000 PSI. “Power washing” is often used to mean the same thing, though some pros reserve the term for heated water above 3,000 PSI. The force strips away dirt, oil, gum, and grime that’s bonded to hard surfaces.

Best for: concrete driveways, sidewalks, pool decks, patios, curbs, dumpster pads, and commercial flatwork. Most pros pair the wand with a surface cleaner, a spinning-bar attachment that cleans flat concrete evenly without stripes.

What is soft washing?

Soft washing applies a cleaning solution at low pressure, lets it dwell for a few minutes, then rinses at low pressure. The solution does the work: it kills the mold, mildew, and algae that cause green and black staining, instead of just knocking off the surface layer.

Best for: asphalt shingle roofs, vinyl and aluminum siding, stucco, painted wood, and other surfaces that high pressure can damage.

Soft washing vs pressure washing at a glance

Which surfaces need which method

Vinyl siding: the Polymeric Exterior Products Association (formerly the Vinyl Siding Institute) advises following both the siding and the washer maker’s instructions, keeping the spray at eye level, and never aiming upward, which pushes water behind the panels. Source.

Decks: Decks.com suggests starting around 1,800 PSI and warns that going much higher can strip stain and damage wood fibers. Source.

Why roofs must be soft washed

Those black streaks on roofs aren’t dirt. They’re mostly Gloeocapsa magma, an airborne blue-green algae that forms a dark protective coating against UV light. Pressure won’t kill it, and it will damage the roof.

The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association warns not to use a power washer or any type of brush on shingles, and recommends a diluted bleach (sodium hypochlorite) and water solution followed by a gentle rinse. Owens Corning gives similar guidance, noting that high-pressure equipment loosens granules and shortens roof life. If a homeowner’s roof is under warranty, they should check the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions before any work.

Soft wash chemicals and safety

Most soft wash mixes are built on sodium hypochlorite (the active ingredient in bleach) plus a surfactant that helps the mix cling to walls and slows drying. Trade sources commonly describe weaker mixes for siding (around 1% at the surface) and stronger mixes for roofs (around 3–6%, depending on growth). Always follow the product label and safety data sheet for anything you use.

Safety basics every crew should follow:

• Never mix sodium hypochlorite with acids or ammonia. Both combinations release toxic gas.
• Wear PPE: goggles or a face shield, chemical-resistant gloves and boots, and appropriate protective clothing.
• Protect plants: soak landscaping with water before and after application.
• Control runoff: sodium hypochlorite is very toxic to aquatic life, so keep it out of storm drains and check local rules.
• Watch painted surfaces: strong mixes can fade some paints and trim.

How long do results last?

Because soft washing kills the organisms instead of just removing the stain, results usually last longer. Some industry sources estimate a soft-washed roof stays clean for 2–5 years, while ARMA notes that algae will likely return eventually. That makes roof and house washing ideal recurring services: a reminder every 1–3 years brings customers back without new advertising.

Cost: soft washing vs pressure washing

• House soft wash: about $300–$850, or $0.25–$0.50 per square foot.
• Roof soft wash: about $350–$750, or $0.30–$1.00 per square foot.
• Driveway pressure wash: about $100–$300.

See our full 2026 pressure washing price guide for per-square-foot rates by surface and city.

Running both services in your business

Most successful exterior cleaning companies offer both: pressure washing for flatwork and soft washing for houses and roofs. Bundling them raises your average ticket. A homeowner who books a driveway is a natural fit for a house wash, and a house wash customer often needs the roof done too.

Field service software makes the bundle easy to sell and easy to repeat:

• Quotes with options. Jobber quotes can show optional add-ons like “roof soft wash” or “gutter brightening” that customers tick to approve (Grow plan).
• Separate price book items for soft wash and pressure wash services, so every tech quotes the same way.
• Recurring reminders. Schedule yearly house washes or roof checks so past customers come back on their own. Housecall Pro’s Max plan adds recurring service plans.
• Before-and-after photos attached to jobs and invoices, which help justify soft wash pricing.
• Review requests. Housecall Pro sends them after every job, and roof transformations get great reviews.

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Frequently asked questions

Is soft washing better than pressure washing?

Neither is better overall. Soft washing is better for roofs, siding, and stucco, while pressure washing is better for concrete and other hard surfaces.

Can you pressure wash a roof?

You shouldn’t pressure wash asphalt shingles. ARMA and Owens Corning both warn that high pressure damages shingles and loosens granules. Soft washing is the recommended method.

What PSI is soft washing?

Soft washing generally uses under 500 PSI, often closer to garden-hose pressure. The cleaning solution does most of the work.

Does soft washing kill mold?

Yes. The sodium hypochlorite in soft wash solutions kills mold, mildew, and algae, which is why results last longer than pressure washing alone.

Is soft washing safe for plants?

It can be when done properly. Pros wet plants before and after application, control runoff, and use the weakest mix that gets the job done.