Why Softwash is Better than Waterblasting

Published on: July 17th, 2025

Think waterblasting is the best way to clean your home’s exterior? You might be doing more harm than good.

High-pressure cleaning strips paint, may damage cladding, and push water into places it shouldn’t go. This can cause internal damage that is hard to detect and can slowly damage the building’s framework. That’s why more property owners are switching to Chemwash softwash services, a gentler, smarter solution that protects your surfaces and lasts longer.

Chemwash uses a specialised softwash system that cleans thoroughly without damaging your property. If you require an exterior cleaning option to deal with mould or grime, here’s why our Chemwash softwash system is the better choice.

Chemwash Softwash System: A Safer, Smarter Approach

Low-Pressure Cleaning
Our softwash system uses water pressure under 1000 psi, which is significantly lower than traditional methods. This helps protect your home’s finishes while still delivering a thorough clean. It’s ideal for cladding, roofing, weatherboards, and more.

Specialised Detergents
We combine low-pressure water with biodegradable, environmentally and pet-friendly detergents. These target and break down dirt, mould, mildew, and lichen at the source, rather than just washing away surface grime with a blast of high pressure.

Concerned About Chemical Safety?
Our detergents are pet-safe, child-safe, and eco-friendly. You can feel confident knowing your family, pets and garden are protected.

Gentle on Surfaces
Softwashing is safe for delicate materials like painted weatherboards, cedar, stucco, and roofing. It’s the preferred method for exterior surfaces where high pressure could cause lasting damage.

Long-Lasting Results
Because we treat the underlying spores and biological growth, your home stays cleaner for longer. This means fewer repeat cleans and reduced maintenance costs over time.

Reduce Unexpected and Costly Maintenance
Softwashing helps you avoid expensive repairs from pressure damage and saves you money by reducing the frequency of cleans.

Traditional Waterblasting: A Higher Risk Option

High Pressure Can Damage Paint, Cladding and Let Moisture into Your Walls
Waterblasting typically uses pressure over 2000 psi. While it removes visible grime, it can also strip paint, dent cladding, or damage exterior finishes.

No Treatment of Growth
This method relies on force, not treatment. That means mould and lichen can return quickly, as the underlying spores are left behind.

Potential for Long-term Structural Damage
High-pressure water can get into cracks, gaps, and cladding, leading to moisture issues and long-term structural concerns.

Short-Term Results
Without targeting the cause of the growth, waterblasting often provides only a temporary clean. Surfaces may look better at first, but it doesn’t take long for grime and mould to return.

Worried About Your Garden or Drying Time?
Our Chewash softwash process is gentle on landscaping and dries quickly. We take care to protect your plants and property during every clean.

Choosing the Right Method

For hard surfaces like concrete or heavily soiled driveways, waterblasting can still be useful. But for most homes and buildings, especially those with painted, timber, or treated exteriors, softwashing is the safer, longer-lasting option, reducing the frequency of maintenance.

If you’re weighing up your exterior cleaning options, Chemwash offers a proven solution trusted by homeowners and commercial property managers alike.

Protect Your Property and Get a Deeper, Longer-lasting clean!
Get in touch with Chemwash today for a free quote or to discuss a plan for the best approach for your home or building.

Don’t just blast away grime. Treat the source and protect your home for longer. Discover the Chemwash difference.