Pressure washing uses high-force water to physically blast dirt, grime and mould off hard, durable surfaces like concrete, pavers and brick. It's effective and fast, but that same force can strip paint, damage render, or force water behind cladding on more delicate surfaces if it's used without care.
Soft washing uses lower pressure combined with a cleaning solution that breaks down mould, algae and grime chemically rather than relying purely on water force to remove it. It's the safer approach for painted surfaces, roofing, timber decking and older or more fragile render.
The right call depends entirely on the surface, not just what looks dirty. A driveway can usually take full pressure without issue. A weatherboard exterior or a painted fence generally can't, and treating it the same way risks doing more damage than the grime ever did.
