Soft Washing & Windows: Is a Separate Professional Cleaning Necessary?
For pressure washing contractors and avid DIY homeowners in humid climates like North Florida, cleaning a home’s exterior presents a common challenge: what to do about the windows. A house wash is meant to remove the pervasive layers of algae, pollen, and organic growth, but how does that process affect the glass?
Does a soft wash get windows truly clean, or does it just create a second job of dealing with spots and streaks?
At Hot Water Pressure Washing, we’ve spent over a decade perfecting our process. The definitive answer is that for most homes in our region, a properly executed soft wash provides an excellent cleaning for the entire window system, and a separate, hands-on window cleaning is not required.
However, understanding the why behind that answer is crucial for setting expectations with clients and for achieving the best possible results yourself.
Why Soft Wash the Entire Window System?
First, a soft wash isn’t just about the glass. It’s a comprehensive cleaning of the home’s exterior, which includes the entire window unit. In our climate, algae, mildew, and pollen don’t just stick to the glass; they thrive on the frames, sills, and screens.
A professional soft wash uses a low-pressure stream to apply a soft wash soap. The key ingredient in this soap is an algaecide that neutralizes this organic growth, allowing it to be safely rinsed away. We advise leaving window screens in during this process, as they capture a significant amount of dust and debris that should be washed away annually.
The Professional Technique: Protecting Seals and Preventing Intrusion
The number one concern during any house wash is protecting the integrity of the home, especially window seals. This is where technique is everything.
A Critical First Step: Regardless of the cleaning method used, following the window manufacturer’s cleaning instructions is necessary. Different window types, tints, and coatings (like Low-E) may have specific chemical or pressure limitations. Always consult the manufacturer’s guidelines first to protect the windows and keep their warranty intact.
With that foundational rule in place, the key to safe soft washing is proper pressure and distance. We recommend keeping rinse pressure below 200 PSI and spraying from a safe distance of 5-6 feet. This is more than enough to rinse away the soap and grime without harming healthy window seals.
However, it’s critical to identify seals that may already be failing. Here’s what we’ve observed:
Cause of Failure: Seals fail more quickly on lower-quality windows or on windows that receive direct, intense sunlight for most of the day. The constant heat cycles cause the seals to degrade over time.
Sign of Failure: A failing seal can allow a small amount of water to penetrate. You won’t see a flood or a large puddle, but you may notice small drips or beads of moisture on the inside of the glass after the wash. This is a symptom of a pre-existing condition, not damage from the wash itself. It’s crucial to identify this possibility beforehand.
The Result on the Glass: Understanding TDS and Water Spots
So, the frames and screens are clean and the seals are protected. But what about the glass? Will it be spotless?
This depends entirely on the rinse water’s TDS (Total Dissolved Solids). TDS refers to the minerals (like calcium and magnesium) left behind after water evaporates.
Here in the Tallahassee area, the municipal water generally has a fairly low TDS. In fact, when we test the city water at our clients’ homes, we typically get a reading of under 200 TDS. When we perform a thorough, top-to-bottom rinse, the glass dries with minimal spotting. It is not a perfectly flawless, “invisible” finish, but it falls well within an acceptable range. You would have to look very closely at the glass to notice any minor imperfections. For the vast majority of homeowners, this result is fantastic.
The Next Level: Adding a Professional Window Cleaning for Perfection
If the standard soft wash result is “very good,” a dedicated professional window cleaning is for those who demand “perfect.” This service is the right choice for clients who want a completely flawless, streak-free finish that looks pristine even under close inspection.
This is achieved either by hand-squeegeeing the glass or by using a pure water system (involving deionization or reverse osmosis) that filters out all the TDS.
If this level of perfection is the goal, we offer this critical piece of advice: wait at least 24 hours after the soft wash is complete. This allows every part of the house—siding, soffits, and the window frames themselves—to dry completely. This prevents a stray drip from a weep hole or seam from running down and ruining the perfectly polished glass. For the absolute best outcome, having both the interior and exterior of the glass professionally cleaned at this stage will create that perfect, invisible result.
The Final Verdict: An Educated Choice
The goal is to feel educated on the topic and make an informed decision for your home or your clients.
A soft wash alone will thoroughly clean the entire window unit—glass, frames, sills, and screens—and remove harmful organic growth. In areas with low TDS water like ours, it leaves the glass looking clean and bright with only minor, hard-to-see spotting.
Adding a professional window cleaning is a premium service for those who desire a completely spotless, flawless finish. It should be performed at least a day after the house wash to ensure no drips will interfere with the perfect result.
By understanding the process, respecting the manufacturer’s guidelines, and knowing the variables, you can confidently determine the right level of service to make any home shine.
See It in Action: Our Safe Rinsing Technique
Talk is one thing, but seeing is believing. To show you exactly what a safe, low-pressure rinse looks like, we’ve included this short video. Watch how our team uses a controlled stream of water—under 200 PSI—to gently and effectively rinse the soft wash soap from the entire window unit, including the delicate screen, without causing any damage.
Nick LoomisOwner-Operator
Since 2012, Nick Loomis of Hot Water Pressure Washing has been a trusted expert in Tallahassee's exterior cleaning industry. With over a decade of experience, he's passionate about two things: delivering incredible results for his customers and finding innovative solutions to do the job right.
