How to Soft Wash Your Patio: Safe Patio Cleaning Guide | SoftWash UK

By Mark Cave June 13, 2026

Soft Washing Your Patio: A Comprehensive Guide

Patios are a beautiful addition to any home, providing an ideal space for relaxation and entertainment. However, over time, they can accumulate dirt, algae, and other contaminants that detract from their appearance. Soft washing is an effective cleaning technique that helps restore a patio's original look without causing damage. In this guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about soft washing your patio, from equipment and chemicals to best practices and safety tips.

What is Soft Washing?

Soft washing is a cleaning method that uses low-pressure water combined with specialized cleaning chemicals to remove organic stains, dirt, and mildew from exterior surfaces. Unlike pressure washing, soft washing is gentle, ensuring that delicate surfaces like patios are not damaged during the cleaning process.

This method is particularly effective for patios made of stone, concrete, or brick, where high-pressure cleaning might lead to erosion or surface degradation.

The Benefits of Soft Washing Your Patio

Preservation of Surfaces: Soft washing uses low pressure, reducing the risk of damage to grout and decorative stones.
Enhanced Appearance: Soft washing effectively removes discolouration and algae, restoring the patio’s natural beauty.
Long-lasting Results: By targeting the root of algae and mould growth, soft washing ensures longer-lasting cleanliness compared to traditional methods.

Choosing the Right Chemicals and Equipment

For successful patio cleaning, selecting appropriate chemicals and equipment is crucial. Professionals often recommend products like Soft Wash Pro 50 DDAC for its effectiveness in eliminating organic growth and disinfecting surfaces.

To optimise chemical application, tools like the Clever Injector Dosatron can be used to ensure the proper dosage is applied, improving efficiency and effectiveness.

Step-by-Step Guide to Soft Washing Your Patio

Prepare the Area: Remove furniture, pots, and other items from your patio to prevent accidental damage or interference with the cleaning process.
Mix the Solution: Use a certified soft wash chemical, ensuring you follow the manufacturer's guidelines for dilution. Products like those available from SoftWash UK are highly effective and reliable.
Spray the Solution: Apply the solution evenly across the patio using a soft wash system, ensuring all areas are covered.
Allow Time to Dwell: Let the solution sit for the recommended amount of time to penetrate and break down contaminants.
Rinse Thoroughly: Use a garden hose or a low-pressure washer to rinse off the chemicals and debris, leaving your patio clean and clear.

Safety and Best Practices

Always wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), including gloves and eye protection when handling chemicals.
Ensure proper ventilation when mixing and applying soft washing solutions.
Follow all safety instructions provided by the chemical manufacturers.

Soft Washing FAQ

How often should I soft wash my patio?

The frequency of soft washing depends on the climate and conditions of your locale. Generally, patios should be cleaned once a year to maintain their appearance and prevent the buildup of debris and algae.

Can I perform soft washing myself?

Yes, with the right equipment and chemicals, soft washing can be a DIY project. However, for best results and safety, consider professional assistance or resources such as the Soft Wash Training Course.

What surfaces can be soft washed?

Soft washing is suitable for a variety of surfaces including patios, roofs, render, and more, making it a versatile cleaning solution for exterior property maintenance.

Conclusion

Soft washing is an efficient, safe, and sustainable way to clean and maintain your patio, preserving its look and enhancing its lifespan. Whether you choose to tackle the job yourself or opt for professional help, understanding the process and using quality products is key to achieving remarkable results.

For reliable soft washing chemicals, equipment, and expert advice, look no further than SoftWash UK. Explore their range today to find everything you need for effective patio cleaning.

Tags: algae removal, exterior cleaning, patio cleaning, patio soft washing, soft wash chemicals

← Older Post Newer Post →

0 comments

Soft Wash Calculator App

Now you can say I've got an app for that!

Available NOW Click Here To Download

Softwashing calculator is an indispensable tool for juggling complicated chemical mixes. It helps reduce wastage and keeps operating costs down by giving accurate proportions

If you are having difficulty getting your head around the maths, trying to work out what percentage of softwash you need, how much chemical, surfactant and water to add, then this is the App for you.

The Soft Wash Calculator App allows you to work out your soft wash recipe by telling you exactly how much chemical, how much water and how much surfactant to add to get the desired soft wash recipe.
It doesn't stop there!.
- It can also remix your leftover softwash to a new stronger or weaker recipe.
- all controls in one place for see at a glance operation
- ease of input via pre-loaded dials. no more calculator style typing
- instantly responds to changes of complex combinations
- works in both Litres and US Gallons
- tested for Protan and Deutan colourblind users
- links to SoftwashingUK website

Take this scenario
You started with a 1% soft wash recipe of 50 gal (or litres) for a deck clean and you’re left with 13 gallons.

You get a call from a prospective customer to clean their roof. Past experience tells you a 4% soft wash recipe is needed, but what about your leftover mix at 1%?.

Do you waste time and effort driving back to base to transfer into a standby tank?
You could consider the 13 gal as just water, top up the tank and start again.
But that’s throwing away the value of the mix and raising your overhead.

Soft Wash Calculator App to the rescue.

You get to the new job and it requires 100 gal / litres.
Switch into remix mode , confirming the 13 gal already in the tank
Move the dials to your new recipe and the app immediately updates the different amounts to add in front of your eyes including the correct amount of extra surfactant.

You now have a 100 gal / litres tank of 4% soft wash recipe ready for your roof clean job!

Not forgetting you’ve saved money too, all without stress and uncertainty . Don’t underestimate what confident calmness has on your customer putting out referrals.

The same applies if you have a 4% recipe left in your tank and you need to dilute it down to 2%. Again the app will tell you how.

Softwashing calculator will also work for any chemical recipe. For instance you can use it for Sodium Hypochlorite, Bleach, Biocide , TFR traffic film remover and degreaser. Even the mathematically-challenged rocket scientist can top up their booster tanks to new fuel mixes after launch delays caused by changing weather conditions.

Using this app you will know exactly what chemical strength to put on any surface giving you the confidence and the knowledge of a professional soft washer and you’ll save money as well.

So if you have little knowledge of how to mix a soft wash recipe then this app is for you.
If you have little knowledge of how to remix a soft wash recipe then this app is for you.
If you want to save money when mixing a soft wash recipe then this app is for you.

This app is also backward compatible to devices running iOS7. We've done this so you can re-purpose an old iPhone 4 or iPod Touch 5 for what could be hazardous work environments. Just toss one in your cleaning van's toolkit.

Once you learn the methods and procedures of how to apply the soft wash to the different surfaces that need cleaning you’ll be unstoppable!

The app also has a guide to what percentage for what surface. And if you are the lucky owner of a Clever Injector it will remind you the correct setting for the job.
However you should always consider and risk assess what soft wash recipe you need to clean the surface.

** A major iOS code-base change may require a re-purchase. The appiverse at the time will confirm our promise that we won't do so unless the necessity is apparent.