How to Protect Plants when Soft Washing
How to Protect Plants When Soft Washing Roofs and Siding
Soft washing has become one of the most effective and professional ways to clean roofs, siding, decks, and other exterior surfaces. Unlike pressure washing, which uses high force to blast away dirt, soft washing relies on chemical solutions—primarily sodium hypochlorite (bleach)—to kill and remove algae, mildew, lichen, moss, and other organic matter that grow on exterior surfaces.
The most common culprit that leads homeowners to schedule a soft wash service is Gloeocapsa Magma—a hardy type of algae that leaves ugly black streaks on asphalt shingles and siding. These streaks don’t just ruin curb appeal; they also cause roof damage by eating away at the protective granules on shingles. Over time, untreated algae and lichen shorten roof life and can lead to costly repairs.
While sodium hypochlorite is incredibly effective at killing this organic growth, it has one major drawback: it can also damage or kill plants, shrubs, flowers, and grass around the property if not managed properly. That means as a professional soft washer—or even a homeowner attempting the process—you need to take serious precautions to protect the landscape.
The good news? With the right techniques and tools, you can greatly minimize the risks and keep your customer’s plants healthy while still delivering spotless results.
Why Protecting Plants During Soft Washing Is So Important
When performing roof or siding cleaning, your bleach solution inevitably runs off surfaces and makes its way into gutters, downspouts, and onto the ground. Without proper preparation, this runoff can pool around delicate landscaping, burn leaves, damage root systems, and even kill plants completely.
Beyond the immediate damage, failing to protect landscaping can lead to angry customers, damaged reputations, and liability claims. A few extra steps before, during, and after a soft wash can make the difference between a happy, repeat client and a costly call-back.
Let’s look at the best practices for protecting plants while soft washing with sodium hypochlorite.
1. Bag the Downspouts
One of the simplest and most effective precautions is to bag the downspouts.
When cleaning roofs, the runoff naturally flows into the gutters and exits through the downspouts. Without intervention, that chemical-heavy runoff pours directly into the soil at the base of the home—right where bushes, flowerbeds, and ornamental plants often sit.
By fastening a heavy-duty trash bag or bucket to the end of each downspout, you can collect the bleach runoff before it hits the ground. Once the cleaning is complete, the collected solution can be disposed of properly, instead of saturating the customer’s landscaping.
This one step alone can prevent extensive chemical burn to plants and grass.
2. Water, Water, and Water Some More
If there’s one golden rule of plant protection during soft washing, it’s this: keep the plants soaked with fresh water.
Here’s why: hydrated plants cannot absorb as much of the soft wash mix. By pre-soaking them, you fill the plant cells with clean water, leaving less capacity for them to take in the sodium hypochlorite solution.
The process is simple:
Pre-soak: Before you begin spraying your cleaning mix, water all the plants thoroughly.
During wash: Continue watering plants while the cleaning is in progress. Ideally, one team member focuses on soft washing, while another follows behind with a hose to keep the plants wet.
Post-wash: Rinse again once the cleaning is done to remove any residual solution.
For maximum efficiency, many professionals use tools like the X-Jet M5 Variable Nozzle (Item #74-5711). This nozzle attaches to a pressure washer and allows you to switch easily between cleaning solution and fresh water. Simply twist the nozzle to fan spray mode and water the plants with clean water while working. Because the X-Jet is an external chemical system, your solution never runs through the machine, keeping transitions seamless.
3. Use a Surfactant to Reduce Runoff
Another key way to minimize plant exposure is to reduce the amount of chemical runoff in the first place.
Adding a surfactant—like ProTool Sticky—to your soft washing mix helps the solution cling to siding, shingles, and other surfaces longer. This has multiple benefits:
Less runoff means less solution reaching the plants.
More dwell time means your bleach works more effectively on algae, lichen, and mildew.
Lower overall chemical use saves you money while reducing environmental impact.
ProTool Sticky is also super concentrated, making it one of the most cost-effective surfactants on the market:
Just 10 ounces per 50-gallon batch.
Cuts shipping costs by 75% (you’re not paying to ship water).
Delivers the lowest cost per batch in the industry.
This small addition to your workflow can greatly improve cleaning efficiency while helping protect your customer’s landscaping.
4. Rinse Again Thoroughly After Cleaning
Once the soft washing is complete, don’t call it a day just yet. Go back and rinse the plants again thoroughly.
This final rinse ensures that any overspray, drift, or residual solution that may have landed on leaves or soil is fully diluted and washed away. Pay close attention to plants directly below rooflines or siding where runoff is heaviest. Make sure to drench both the leaves and the soil around the roots.
Think of this as insurance: you’ve already taken precautions, but a final heavy rinse ensures you’ve done everything possible to minimize plant stress.
5. Neutralize with ProTool Post Rinse
While water does a great deal to protect landscaping, the best practice is to go one step further and neutralize any remaining solution with a dedicated post-treatment.
This is where ProTool Post Rinse (Item #83-052) comes in. Post Rinse is specially designed to neutralize sodium hypochlorite after soft washing. It can be applied to siding, decks, fences, metal fixtures, and most importantly—plants.
Benefits of ProTool Post Rinse include:
Neutralizes leftover soft wash solution.
Coats leaves with a protective buffer.
Protects metal fixtures and ornamentation.
For a minimal cost, adding Post Rinse into your process not only helps preserve landscaping but also protects your company’s reputation. Customers will notice and appreciate the extra effort.
6. Nourish the Plants with Plant Wash
Finally, for the highest level of care, use a plant-safe product like Plant Wash as a final rinse.
Plant Wash is specially formulated to reduce the damage associated with caustic cleaners like sodium hypochlorite and sodium hydroxide. It works in four ways:
Neutralizes the caustic cleaner that may remain on leaves or in soil.
Liquid fertilizes the plants through their leaves, giving them a nutrient boost.
Coats the leaves with a buffering agent for added protection.
Replenishes vital soil nutrients and helps beneficial bacteria repopulate around plant roots.
Plant Wash can be applied using a garden sprayer, making it easy to mix and spray over shrubs, flowers, and grass once the cleaning is finished. This step doesn’t just prevent harm—it actively nourishes the plants, leaving them healthier than before.
Best Practices Recap
Here’s a quick checklist for protecting plants during soft washing:
✅ Bag the downspouts to collect runoff.
✅ Pre-soak all plants with fresh water.
✅ Use a surfactant like ProTool Sticky to reduce runoff.
✅ Rinse plants thoroughly after cleaning.
✅ Apply ProTool Post Rinse to neutralize bleach.
✅ Use Plant Wash for nourishment and long-term protection.
By combining these steps, you drastically reduce the chance of damage and deliver professional-grade results your customers can trust.
Final Thoughts: Protecting Landscapes Protects Your Business
Soft washing is one of the most effective ways to restore the beauty and longevity of roofs, siding, and exterior surfaces. But with that effectiveness comes responsibility. Sodium hypochlorite is powerful—not only against algae and mold but also against delicate landscaping.
Taking the time to bag downspouts, hydrate plants, reduce runoff, rinse thoroughly, and neutralize with plant-safe products protects not only your customer’s property but also your reputation as a responsible professional.
In the competitive world of exterior cleaning, these small details set you apart. Customers notice when their landscaping is cared for, and word of mouth spreads quickly. By implementing these practices, you’ll not only deliver spotless roofs and siding but also grow your business with satisfied, loyal customers.
