The Kinds of Washing Methods: Pressure Washing, Power Washing, and Soft Power Washing Explained

Spring is right around the corner, and you’re starting to think about how the outside of your home looks. You’re planning out your spring garden and you want the rest of your home to look just as beautiful. It is the first thing people see, after all. You started doing some research on how to clean your home and you came across washing methods generalized as “pressure washing.”

You’ve heard of that before, you even think your friend might have a pressure washer. But you didn’t realize there were so many different ways to clean your home’s exterior. Today, we’re going to explain the differences between the kinds of washing methods like pressure washing, power washing, and soft power washing.

The Basics of Exterior Washing Methods

Before we get into the details, let’s just start by going over the basics of pressure washing. There are three washing methods: pressure washing, power washing, and soft power washing. All three types use different levels of pressure and temperature of water to clean your home’s exterior:

  • Pressure washing uses high pressure and low temperature
  • Power washing uses high pressure and high temperature
  • Soft power washing uses low pressure and high temperature

Each of these washing methods has its own purpose, which we’ll go into more detail about later. 

But, it’s important to know that not all types are created the same for every surface. If you borrow your friend’s pressure washer or even rent or buy one, it may not be what you really need. Not only may it not get the job done, but you might also end up damaging some of your property in the process.

Washing Method 1: Pressure Washing 

Sometimes scrubbing with a brush just isn’t enough to clean some surfaces. Pressure washing is used to clean exterior surfaces that need a deep clean. Whether it’s your driveway, your brick walkway, or even your wooden deck or patio furniture, it can get the job done. 

Pressure washing isn’t always the ideal method for some surfaces, though. It isn’t a good fit for more delicate surfaces.

Washing Method 2: Power Washing

Sometimes you’ll have dirty surfaces that are just being stubborn. Maybe your wooden deck or furniture has grown moss or algae. If you pressure wash it long enough, it’ll get clean.

But, these are sturdier surfaces that can withstand the high pressure and high heat of power washing. So, when you get to those more stubborn surfaces that need a higher temperature of water to get the job done, power washing is the way to go.

Washing Method 3: Soft Power Washing

As stated above, not all surfaces can withstand the heat and pressure that come with these first two methods. Think of the side of your home, or maybe the awning of your business. Those surfaces are just not meant to withstand the combination of heat and pressure used in pressure and power washing. This is where soft power washing comes in.

Soft power washing uses a lower pressure and a lower temperature than the other methods (though hot water can be specially requested). This method is gentler on the more sensitive surfaces than pressure or power washing.

a man pressure washing an awning

Determining the Kind of Washing Method to Use

Even though you now know what the different kinds of washing methods are used for, you probably still don’t know when to use them on your home. It can get kind of confusing after all. Is this surface too sensitive for pressure washing? Is this gunk stubborn enough for power washing? It’s hard to know if you’re not a professional.

Keep in mind that the pressure washer you buy or borrow will only let you pressure wash your property, not power wash or hot power wash it. So, you can save yourself some money there and just let the professionals handle it!

Professional cleaners, like those at ASF Clean Team, are trained to know which method to use for different types of surfaces. What may be confusing to you is just second nature to us, as we do it all the time. Plus, we have the tools to be able to do all three of these methods, which aren’t available at the big box stores. 

Choosing a Company to Clean Your Property

Your home is important, and you don’t want to trust just anybody to pressure wash it. Your grandpa may know a guy, but if that guy only has a pressure washer, he’s just not going to get the job done right. Instead, look at professional cleaning companies, even those you may not expect. At ASF Clean Team, we’re known for our window cleaning services, but we are trained in all three kinds of washing methods and other services, as well. 

In addition, you’re going to want to find a cleaning company that carries insurance. Not all companies do this, as it’s not required by law. But think about it. You don’t just want the lower part of your home cleaned; you want the whole thing cleaned. That involves climbing, and climbing can lead to accidents. Accidents can lead to insurance claims, and all of a sudden your bill is way more than you expected. So, just save yourself the hassle and find a cleaning company with insurance, like ASF Clean Team.

Save Time and Schedule Today

If you live in the San Francisco or Sacramento areas, save time and schedule your cleaning service with ASF Clean Team today. We use eco-friendly cleaning methods, are trained in all three kinds of pressure washing, and carry insurance for all of our employees. Plus, if you need any other cleaning done, like window washing, we can take care of that at the same time. Don’t delay; call ASF Clean Team today.

How to Maximize Commercial Solar Panel Efficiency

You made a big investment in your business when you decided to install solar panels. Solar panels are not a small purchase, but over time they will help you save money. You noticed this at first. Your power was working great, and your energy bill was decreasing. But now, things are starting to slow down. Your electricity isn’t working as well, but your bill is going up. Do you already need new solar panels? Before you make any rash decisions, let’s discuss how you can maximize the efficiency of your commercial solar panels.

What methods maximize commercial solar panel efficiency?

The easiest method to maximize the efficiency of your solar panels is to keep them clean. No matter where your solar panels are located, they’re going to collect dust and dirt. As the dust and dirt pile up, there is a greater barrier between your solar panels and the sun, decreasing efficiency.

As long as you’re keeping your solar panels clean, you shouldn’t have any issues with efficiency. But, you need to make sure you’re cleaning your solar panels correctly. Many people think that the rain will take care of any cleaning that needs to be done since solar panels are outdoors. It’s not quite that convenient, though.

What does your car look like after the rain? Rain water is dirty itself, and it just rearranges the dirt on your car (and your solar panels). So, you may think about just using hose water or a bucket of soapy water and a rag. That’s not going to be super effective, either, because the unfiltered soap and water is going to leave behind residue. Even if it’s a smaller layer than the dirt, you’re still not maximizing the efficiency of your solar panels.

So how do I clean my solar panels?

The easiest way to maximize the efficiency of your commercial solar panels is to have them cleaned professionally. And if you live in the San Francisco or Sacramento areas, the easiest way is to call ASF Clean Team.

At ASF Clean Team, we have tools specially designed to clean your commercial solar panels. With these tools, we use only hot water and pressure to clean, so no soap residue is left behind. The tools filter the water as we clean, so you don’t have to worry about any mineral deposits from unfiltered water, either.

That’s not all, though. Our tools also clean your solar panels without leaving streaks behind. This means every inch of your solar panel is clean to truly maximize the efficiency of your solar panels. And, we have the equipment and experience to clean your solar panels wherever they’re located, even high on the building. We carry insurance for our employees, too, so you don’t have to worry about the possibility of an accident.

At ASF Clean Team, our goal is to leave your business sparkling. Whether you need your solar panels cleaned, another cleaning service, or a combination, we can’t wait to help you.

How to Get the Best Efficiency from Your Solar Panels in San Francisco

There are several reasons why people choose to install solar panels on their home. Solar panels are environmentally friendly, are energy efficient, and help you save money. But, solar panel owners tend to find that the longer they have solar panels, the less efficient they are. Why is that? Let’s talk through how to get the best efficiency from your solar panels. 

Why are my solar panels losing efficiency?

Over time, it may appear that your solar panels are losing energy efficiency. Your power isn’t working as well and your energy bills are going up. Solar panels were supposed to have the opposite effect, so what’s going on?

Solar panels typically don’t take much work to maintain. They’re built to be kept outside, which means they can withstand harsh elements. However, that doesn’t mean they’ll remain 100% functional if you just have them set up and forget about them. There is some minimum maintenance they need!

Like anything else, solar panels get dirty. This dirt and dust builds up and creates a barrier between the sun and your solar panels. You likely won’t notice a difference at first, but as dirt continues to build up, that barrier will get thicker. As the barrier thickens, less sunlight gets through to your solar panels and they become less efficient. So even though you don’t have to worry about a lot of maintenance for your solar panels, you do need to keep them clean to ensure the best efficiency. 

How do I keep my solar panels clean?

Keeping your solar panels clean is easier said than done. Not just any cleaning method will work. Some people will tell you that the rain can do the work for you, but that just isn’t true. The rain is dirty itself, and since it comes down in droplets, it will really just rearrange the dirt on your solar panels.

So what do you do then? Just clean it off with a hose? Well, that doesn’t really work, either. Your hose water will clean the dirt better than the rain, but it will leave mineral deposits behind, still creating a barrier between your solar panels and the sun.

So what’s the solution then? The best way to keep your solar panels clean and ensure the best efficiency is to have them professionally cleaned. And if you live in the San Francisco area, that means calling ASF Clean Team.

Solar panel cleaning with ASF Clean Team

At ASF Clean Team, we use professional tools specifically designed for solar panel cleaning. These tools filter the water as we clean your solar panels, so no mineral deposits or residue will be left behind. Our tools even help get a streak-free clean, which you wouldn’t be able to get with a hose or a towel. This means your solar panels will be sparkling like new.

Efficiency is a great benefit of solar panels, but they’re not efficient if they’re not clean. If you want to get the best efficiency out of your solar panels, and the best efficiency out of a cleaning team, get in touch with ASF Clean Team today.

What is “Property Detailing” and How Can You Get it Done in San Francisco?

Here at ASF Clean Team, we talk about exterior property detailing a lot. Keeping your home or business’s exterior clean is important. Not only does it keep everything looking nice, but it also helps renew and restore the building’s exterior. But that’s not where taking care of your property ends. So, what is “property detailing” and how is it different from exterior detailing? Let’s talk it through.

What is “property detailing”?

In the cleaning world, there are a lot of terms you’ll hear that sound similar but are different. You’ve heard us go on about pressure washing, power washing, and soft washing: three types of washing methods with varying temperatures and pressures. Property detailing and exterior detailing are a similar situation.

Exterior detailing involves just the exterior of your home or business. This is going to include window washing and basic exterior cleaning of your building. We can tackle your roof, gutters, windows, siding, and awnings. These are all part of the building, so it falls under exterior detailing.

Property detailing takes exterior detailing a step further. This still includes basic exterior detailing, but we cover your whole property. Does your driveway, patio, and/or sidewalk need a little extra love? Is your wooden deck getting a little mildewy? Or maybe you have some patio furniture that could use a good pressure wash? These are all separate from your actual home or business, so they’re part of your property, not your building’s exterior.

How can I get this done?

Property detailing is a great service option if you want to get a deep clean of your home or business. However, you’re not typically just going to pick up the phone and ask for a property detailing. In fact, if you go to our website, you won’t even see property detailing as an option. Why? Property detailing consists of several different services depending on your home or business; it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. 

Instead, think about everything you want cleaned. Do you just want your windows and exterior cleaned? Or do you have some other areas that need to be cleaned as well? Once you have all of that figured out, give ASF Clean Team a call if you live in the San Francisco Bay area. We will talk through everything you’re looking to get done and create a custom property detailing service for your home. If you’re just looking to get your driveway and patio cleaned in addition to your home, we have you covered. But if you need your solar panels, gutters, or cobwebs cleaned up too, we can do that as well. 

Detail your property today

It’s always a good time to schedule with ASF Clean Team. Our team will take good care of your home or business and make sure to leave it sparkling. If you’re interested in regular property detailing, consider committing to 3 years of services. You’ll lock in your pricing for the entire 3 years, and your cobweb removal will be free. We can also combine your services into one visit to make it convenient for everyone. Contact us today to get started.

Hot Power Washing and Soft Power Washing Explained

If you own a home or business, you’ve probably heard of power washing, but what is power washing, exactly? Additionally, the term “soft washing” is probably new. Isn’t it just the same as pressure washing? Nope! Hot power washing and soft power washing are two techniques that may sound similar, but have two separate purposes. Let’s explain!

What Puts the “Power” in Power Washing?

Pressure washing, power washing, and soft washing are all similar techniques. But, they all have slight differences that make them unique. They all use varying levels of pressure to clean your building’s exterior. So what exactly puts the “power” in power washing? 

The heat is what makes power washing stand out. Pressure washing uses high pressure but a lower temperature to get the job done. However, power washing takes this high pressure and combines it with high heat to get an even better clean. This combination of heat and pressure isn’t ideal for all surfaces, though. This is where soft washing comes into the picture.

When Do You Use Hot Power Washing and Soft Power Washing?

The main difference between these two methods of power washing is the level of pressure. Hot power washing uses a higher temperature and higher pressure, which is not ideal for more sensitive surfaces. However, soft power washing uses a lower temperature and lower pressure, to effectively clean those surfaces that need a little more care.

Hot power washing is ideal for those really hard to clean surfaces. Do you have some old wooden patio furniture that’s grown moss or algae? What about stains on your garage floor or driveway that you just can’t seem to get off? Hot power washing can be perfect for these situations because the heat and pressure can clean quickly, and these surfaces can withstand them.

On the other hand, if you have a historic home that really needs a good clean, or maybe an awning with stains and gunk on it, soft washing is going to be your friend. The lower pressure and temperature, will safely clean those surfaces, making them shine.

How Do I Get Professional Power Washing Services?

Power washing and soft washing your building’s exterior isn’t something just anyone can do. These techniques require special equipment, and an expert professional who knows which technique is right for your business property or residential home. The different methods are not suitable for all surfaces, so it’s important you trust who you hire.

At ASF Clean Team, we’re known for our superior window cleaning services, but we also specialize in hot power washing and soft power washing. In some instances, hot soft washing may be necessary and can be done on request. Our employees know which method to use for different surfaces, and our professional equipment helps us get the job done right the first time. Plus, you can get your window cleaning and exterior detailing done at the same time, saving you time and money. Contact us today to learn more about power washing prices or any other questions you may have.