Soft washing uses low pressure and specialist chemical solutions to kill algae, lichen and moss at the root — not just on the surface. Gentler on tiles, longer-lasting results. Free quotes, fully insured.
Soft washing is a method of exterior cleaning that uses low-pressure water delivery combined with specialist biodegradable chemical solutions, rather than relying on high pressure alone. For roofs, this is often the preferred approach — high-pressure washing can dislodge ridge mortar, crack older tiles and force water under the roof covering.
The chemical solutions used in soft washing don't just clean the surface — they kill algae, lichen and moss at the root, breaking down the biological matter and preventing rapid regrowth. This gives a cleaner result that lasts significantly longer than pressure washing alone.
Soft wash is particularly well suited to older roofs, clay tiles, slate and any roof where we want to minimise the risk of mechanical damage. We assess every roof and recommend the most appropriate cleaning approach — sometimes a combination of light scraping, soft wash and targeted pressure works best.
Get a Free Soft Wash QuoteTile type, age and condition assessed to confirm soft wash is appropriate and determine the correct chemical mix and dilution.
Surrounding plants and garden areas sheeted or wetted down to protect them during application of cleaning solutions.
Specialist biodegradable soft wash solution applied at low pressure across the entire roof surface — covering tiles, ridges and verges.
Solution left to dwell and penetrate — breaking down algae, moss and lichen at the biological level rather than just on the surface.
Surface rinsed at low pressure. Gutters cleared of loosened debris. Full inspection completed before we leave.
Yes — soft washing is the safest method for the widest range of roof types, including clay tiles, natural slate, aged concrete tiles and conservation area roofs where high pressure is not appropriate. The low pressure involved carries none of the risks associated with high-pressure washing on fragile or older roof coverings.
Significantly longer than pressure washing alone. Because the chemical solution kills algae and lichen at the root rather than just removing surface growth, regrowth is much slower. Most soft-washed roofs remain clean and free of significant growth for 3–5 years depending on the roof's position, surrounding trees and local climate.
We use biodegradable cleaning solutions and take precautions to protect surrounding plants and garden areas before application. We wet down nearby plants prior to treatment and rinse them again afterwards. The solutions break down quickly and do not cause lasting harm to gardens when applied correctly by a professional.
For heavy, established moss we typically combine soft washing with manual scraping — removing the bulk of the moss physically first, then applying soft wash to treat remaining spores and algae and provide lasting protection. Soft wash alone works very well for algae, lichen and lighter moss, but very thick moss deposits benefit from the combination approach.
Not necessarily — we can carry out the work while you're out as long as we have access to the property. We'll walk you round the finished result when you're available and flag anything we noticed during the clean.