How to Soft Wash a House | 5 Easy Steps for Brisbane Homes
26th November, 2025
Your pressure cleaning specialists.
Soft washing tackles mould, algae, and dirt at the source. This makes it ideal for Brisbane’s — and especially Queensland’s — properties, as high humidity can lead to rapid regrowth.
In this article, we’ll highlight the importance of soft house washing in Brisbane and when it’s best to call a professional.
Soft washing uses low water pressure — typically under 100 PSI. It doesn’t “blast” grime away; instead, it uses specialised chemicals to tackle problematic growths at the source and prevent them from coming back.
High-pressure cleaning, meanwhile, uses up to 4,000 PSI. This can remove algae and other issues, but may not stop them from returning; it also risks stripping your home’s paint.
Here’s when soft washing is the best choice:
On the flipside, a high-pressure solution is often best for:
Ultimately, soft washing is safer for delicate surfaces like home exteriors that need more delicate treatment. It provides a longer-lasting clean while remaining eco-friendly. You can even do it yourself, though you should still know when to seek a professional house wash.
As long as you gather the correct chemicals and plan effectively, you can enjoy all the benefits of soft wash house cleaning in Brisbane yourself. Here’s what you need to do to get the job done at home:
Figure out exactly which surfaces you’ll be washing. As mentioned above, higher pressure is generally better for concrete patios and similar hard, robust materials.
You’ll also have to make sure the property is actually ready for a soft wash. While the water pressure is low, it can still damage your home if you’re not careful. To be safe, you should:
You won’t be working with particularly harsh chemicals, but you should also still get a hold of protective gloves and eyewear.
You won’t have to use harsh bleaches or other strong chemicals — all you need is a biodegradable soft wash solution. This is what we use at MKL Pressure Cleaning to make sure our team can address mould issues without damaging your paint or property.
Always check that the solution you get is suitable for the surfaces you’ll use it on, such as timber, render, or roof shingles. You should also follow the manufacturer’s dilution instructions, or the mixture could be too weak to clean adequately.
Even a well-diluted solution only works if it is applied correctly. You’ll need a specialised soft wash applicator, or at least a low-pressure nozzle for your garden sprayer. Always aim for a PSI of 100 or lower.
Apply a generous amount of the solution, but make sure it isn’t dripping wet. It’s also best to apply from the bottom up to avoid streaking. Additionally, don’t coat the entire home at once. Instead, work in manageable sections.
Let the solution sit for 5–10 minutes as instructed. If it’s a hot day, mist it to prevent the chemicals from drying out.
Once you’re sure the mixture has had enough time, rinse it off with a low-pressure washer, again at 100 PSI or lower. Rinse from top to bottom — this will remove the last traces of dirt and mould from your surfaces.
Clean with smooth, sweeping motions. As you’ll be working from the top, gravity will do a lot of the work and ensure you don’t “push” dirty water into clean spots.
However, you should still be mindful of the runoff. Keep the water away from storm drains, flower beds, and other sensitive areas; if this is unavoidable, rinse again with fresh water.
Check dry areas for any remaining issues. If you spot any remaining algae or other stains, don’t be afraid to reapply the solution and repeat the process. Particularly stubborn spots might simply require an extra few minutes of dwelling time.
Ensure you have a clear view of the affected areas. This means checking them in the daytime or with the aid of a torch; you might struggle to notice any remaining mould at a glance if it’s overcast.
Once you’re satisfied with the soft wash’s results, rinse the affected areas one last time, again while trying to avoid any runoff issues.
As you’ll still be working with cleaning chemicals, DIY Brisbane soft washing only works if you follow the right safety tips. Here’s how to make sure everything comes together:
The most important safety tip, however, is to know when to contact an expert in Brisbane’s soft house washing needs.
Many homeowners across Queensland undertake DIY soft washing and get great results, but this isn’t always the correct approach. For example, homeowners don’t always know how to tackle small patches of algae lurking in corners or joints.
Stubborn mould growth might also require stronger chemicals that aren’t readily available at nearby shops. Brisbane soft washing professionals have the solutions your property needs, along with the equipment to apply them.
You should also consider contacting experts if you plan to soft wash your roof. It’s possible to do this yourself, but cleaners have the tools and experience required to do it faster and more safely.
Contact us today for a quote, starting as low as just $99.
By following the above steps, you’ll know exactly how to keep your property free of algae and other similar pests whilst avoiding any long-term damage.
However, if you need a professional touch, MKL Pressure Cleaning can soft wash any home in Brisbane, ensuring you don’t have to worry about regrowth. We’ll take care of your mould, algae and dirt in less time, giving you peace of mind without the stress of tackling it yourself.
Get in touch today for a quote, give us a call on 0411 744 454 or request a callback online. We’re happy to help.
Are you planning to sell your house and want to add more value than you spend? First impressions matter more than ever in real estate — and nothing turns potential buyers away faster than a dirty, neglected exterior. A spotless, freshly cleaned home makes a strong first impression, showing buyers your property has been cared for and maintained.
When it comes to pre-sale house washing in Brisbane, you can dramatically boost your home’s appeal and market value without the cost of major renovations. Instead of spending thousands on painting or structural upgrades, a thorough exterior house clean can give your property that like-new sparkle buyers notice instantly.
If your home’s exterior is dull, grimy, or covered in mould, it can suggest neglect — even if the interior is pristine. Buyers often decide within seconds of seeing a property whether they’re interested, which means curb appeal is everything.
A well-executed pre-sale exterior clean not only enhances your property’s presentation but can also help it sell faster and at a higher price. Real estate agents frequently recommend house washing, driveway cleaning, and roof cleaning in Brisbane as some of the simplest ways to improve first impressions.
Clean outdoor surfaces create a sense of freshness and space, making your home look newer, brighter, and more inviting.
When preparing your home for sale, focus on the key exterior areas that make the biggest visual impact. Here are the essential services that can transform your property before it hits the market:
A professional house washing service in Brisbane removes built-up dirt, dust, cobwebs, and mildew from your home’s surfaces. Using soft washing techniques, MKL Pressure Cleaning can safely clean render, brick, weatherboard, or cladding without damaging paintwork or finishes.
This service is particularly effective for restoring your home’s original colour, instantly making it look brighter and newer.
From driveways to decks and fences, pressure cleaning lifts years of grime, oil stains, and organic growth. High-pressure cleaning revives hard surfaces such as concrete, pavers, and tiles — all while improving safety by removing slippery build-up.
Your driveway is one of the first things buyers see. Over time, driveways accumulate oil stains, tyre marks, and discolouration. Professional driveway cleaning in Brisbane can restore that clean, uniform appearance, improving your home’s street appeal.
Clean gutters do more than just improve appearance. Blocked gutters can cause roof leaks, fascia damage, and even foundation issues. Regular gutter cleaning keeps rainwater flowing freely, protecting your home’s structural integrity.
A dirty roof can make even a well-kept home look tired. MKL Pressure Cleaning offers roof cleaning services in Brisbane that remove mould, moss, and lichen, prolonging the life of your roof and boosting its visual appeal.
Tip: Check out more professional cleaning services offered by MKL Pressure Cleaning to prepare your home for sale.
While DIY cleaning may seem tempting, professional cleaners bring experience, equipment, and expertise that deliver superior, long-lasting results. Here’s why hiring specialists is worth every dollar:
Professionally cleaned exteriors look brighter and fresher, helping your home stand out from other listings in your area. Buyers often associate a clean home with good maintenance — which can translate to higher offers.
Professional cleaning removes stubborn oil stains, dirt, and algae from driveways and walkways. Not only does this look better, but it also prevents dangerous slip hazards, especially during Brisbane’s wet months.
Our humid Queensland climate creates ideal conditions for mould and algae. Regular cleaning prevents these growths, protecting your family’s health and your property’s appearance.
Exterior cleaning reduces allergens, dust, and pollutants that can worsen asthma or allergies. A cleaner exterior means cleaner air around your home — something buyers notice when inspecting a property.
Dirt and organic growth can deteriorate paint, wood, and brickwork over time. By scheduling regular house washing in Brisbane, you’re safeguarding your property from long-term damage.
Why repaint when professional cleaning can achieve a similar refreshed look for a fraction of the cost? In many cases, a thorough wash can restore faded paint and save you thousands on renovations.
In today’s market, your online listing is your first open home. Clean surfaces photograph beautifully, making your home look brighter, larger, and more desirable in digital listings — all without expensive editing or touch-ups.
MKL Pressure Cleaning has built a strong reputation across Brisbane for delivering exceptional exterior cleaning results for both homeowners and real estate professionals. Using advanced pressure washing and soft washing systems, MKL ensures your home is spotless, streak-free, and protected from damage.
Their team specialises in pre-sale house washing, roof cleaning, and driveway cleaning, helping clients maximise the value of their property before listing. Whether you’re preparing for sale, lease, or an open inspection, MKL delivers results that make your property shine.
Contact MKL Pressure Cleaning today for expert house washing and exterior cleaning services in Brisbane that transform your home and impress potential buyers from the first glance.
Think of your home’s exterior like a favourite white shirt. No matter how much you love it, time, weather, and the occasional accidental spill will leave their mark. The same goes for your house—dust, mould, mildew, and general grime all slowly build up, making your place look tired. That’s where house washing comes in.
This guide will walk you through what house washing is, why it matters, how it’s done, what it costs, and when it’s worth skipping the DIY and letting the pros (hi, that’s us 👋) handle the hard stuff.
In simple terms, house washing is the ultimate deep clean for your home’s exterior. We’re talking walls, gutters, fascias, eaves—all the spots you probably don’t think about until they’re looking a bit shabby. The goal? Wash away the dirt, stains, and algae so your place looks fresh, feels healthier, and stays protected from long-term damage.
Depending on the surface, pros use different approaches. High-pressure house cleaning brings the muscle for tough areas like driveways and bricks, while soft wash house cleaning is the gentle giant for painted or delicate surfaces. It’s like choosing between a heavy-duty scrub and a gentle face wash; the trick is knowing which your home needs.
So why bother with it? Here’s the lowdown:
Long-term savings: Regular cleaning helps you dodge costly repairs and keeps your paint job lasting longer.
Brisbane’s subtropical climate is perfect for mould and mildew—not so perfect for your walls. Skip regular washing and you risk surface damage, discolouration, and even rot. The longer grime stays put, the harder (and more expensive) it is to fix.
Consider house washing as preventative care; kinda like a dental check-up for your home. A little attention now saves big headaches later. Plus, it keeps your place looking sharp all year round.
Alright, so you’re ready to tackle the outside of your place. Where do you even start? If you’re keen for a DIY approach, here are the basics:
DIY can handle the little stuff, but let’s be real, spending your Saturday balancing on a ladder with a pressure washer isn’t everyone’s idea of fun. That’s why most homeowners let the experts swoop in to get it done properly. It’s faster, safer and way less stressful.
The big question: how much is house washing going to set you back? The honest answer is it depends. A tidy single-storey brick home in Brisbane isn’t going to cost the same as a double-storey weatherboard on a steep block. Here’s what usually affects the price:
Most homeowners can expect to pay a few hundred dollars for a professional wash. The best way to know for sure? Skip the guessing and get a clear, upfront quote tailored to your home.
Not all dirt is created equal, and not all homes need the same muscle. That’s why there are two main ways to tackle house washing:
High-pressure house cleaning: Think of this as the heavy lifter. It blasts away stubborn dirt, grease, and stains with serious water pressure. Perfect for driveways, brick walls, concrete paths, and pavers, anywhere tough surfaces can handle a bit of force.
Soft wash house cleaning: The gentler sibling. Instead of brute force, it uses low pressure combined with eco-friendly detergents to carefully wash delicate surfaces like painted walls, render, or timber. It gets the grime gone without stripping your paint or damaging finishes.
Here’s the kicker: using the wrong method can do more harm than good. Blast painted weatherboards with high pressure, and you could be waving goodbye to half your paint job.
That’s why MKL doesn’t take chances. We check out your home, pick the right approach, and deliver the kind of cleaning that makes your place sparkle without the stress. Learn more about our pressure cleaning services.
For most Brisbane homes, once a year is the sweet spot for house washing. Our climate is a mix of humid summers and stormy seasons, so grime builds up faster than you think.
That said, some homes need more frequent TLC. If you’ve got lots of shade, live near busy roads, or spot green patches creeping up sooner than expected, a clean every six months is a smart move.
The best times? Spring and autumn. You’ll wash away seasonal build-up and enjoy a home that looks fresh just in time for entertaining. Not sure what’s right for your place? Request a free quote and we’ll help you lock in the perfect schedule.
There’s a big difference between a quick DIY rinse and a pro job. With professionals, you get:
When you hire MKL, you’re not just paying for a wash, you’re investing in peace of mind. See our 5 questions to ask before hiring a pressure cleaning company.
Keeping your home clean shouldn’t be a chore that eats up your weekends. Regular house washing protects your investment, boosts street appeal, and keeps your place looking sharp year-round.
Ready to see the difference? Book your professional house washing in Brisbane today and enjoy that fresh, just-cleaned feeling without lifting a finger.

Your first response is to call a cleaning company. You search for cleaning companies online with the best reviews in your area.
You get a few quotes then approve the work to be done.
What you don’t realise is you’ve really just hired a chain of companies to fulfill one simple task.
The fact is, it’s likely that you contacted a commercial cleaning or maintenance company to quote and do the work and these companies either specialise in internal cleaning or maintenance NOT external pressure cleaning, so they then go on and find an external pressure cleaning company to do the actual work.
In some instances we have been the THIRD down the line with two companies ahead of us putting their percentage on top of our quoted price.
So the $5 000.00 we’ve quoted for the external clean becomes a $15 000.00 clean after each company adds their cut on and you’re left scratching your head because they were only onsite for a couple of days then this is exactly what happened.
And it happens constantly.
It’s time to wise up to the over inflated pricing and start dealing directly with external pressure cleaners, because let’s face it you don’t call a plasterer to do your painting.
Have a think about the huge difference in equipment the two cleaning industries use and the type of cleaning involved, it’s plain old common sense.
Any reputable external pressure cleaning company will have all the right equipment, experience, knowledge, insurances, certfications, inductions and WH&S in order and should be able to provide scope of works and SWMS once a job has been approved.
Sometimes, nothing can be as frustrating as a vigorous and rigorous yet fruitless attempt to clean up grease, oil, chewing gums, mould, grime and other stubborn stains and dirt accumulated over time from your car park. Some of this nasty grime will both make an eyesore of your car park and may cause serious damage or create hazards to anyone using the car park.
The good news is you can get that neat and clean car park you’ve always desired at very reasonable rates. You can always count on MLK Pressure Cleaning for an effective way to clean up your car park in Brisbane. All our excellent and uniquely designed cleaning programs are well tailored to offer you the best car parks in Brisbane regarding cleanliness and neatness, all under environmentally friendly conditions.
Our powerful pressure cleaning services are second to none in Brisbane. High-pressure water cleaning (hot or cold) are used to get rid of mold, mud, chewing gums and all other dirts and stains from any surface effectively without causing the surface any harm or damage.
With knowledge obtained from years of experience, we understand just when and how to perfectly use the hot or cold high pressure cleaning.

You can trust us because:
1. We’ve got the experience. We have cleaned car parks up to 30000sq metres.
2. We’ve got certified specialist operators and contractors.
3. We pay immersed attention to every minute detail.
4. Fully insured 20 mil public liability
5. Follow all safety requirements on our SWMS
With over 19 years of experience, we can make of having one of the best Pressure Cleaning companies in Brisbane.
One of our recent contracts was hot water pressure cleaning a car park at a major shopping centre in Logan City. We were contracted by FKG Group to help refurb a 30000sq metre car park. It included cleaning of all walls, soffits, columns, overhead pipes and floors. All oil spots were degreased and hot water pressure cleaned as well as thousands of spots of chewing gum were removed. The job was done at night in order to not to inconvenience the shoppers and insure their safety.
So phone/email on any day or at any time and let our certified specialists, who are eager to serve, attend to your car park with a professional touch that will leave your car park a wonder to behold.

Pressure cleaning can work magic on dirty surfaces. However, in the wrong hands mild to sever damage can be caused.
Choosing the right pressure cleaning company is essential. Here are five simple question to ask every contractor before you make your decision.
Pressure cleaning can be dangerous, for both the operator and the area being cleaned. The equipment can be very powerful which is risky for the operator. While the wrong chemical concentration or pressure level can damage the surface.
All professional pressure cleaners should have liability insurance at the very least. Insurance is assurance that should something go wrong on the account of poor operation, you wont be the one to foot the bill.
Naturally, however, you don’t want something to go wrong in the first place. So while insurance offers a peace of mind, you want to know that it is unlikely to happen in the first place. That’s why the following questions are important.
As with everything, the more experience the better. But just how much experience is reliable? Ideally, you will hire the operator with upwards of 10years experience. However, around 5years is okay too.
Pressure cleaning isn’t always an exact science. Operators need to know how their equipment works, how their chemicals work, and how they work together on the differing surfaces they face.
Should a pressure cleaner use the wrong level of pressure, too much, or the wrong chemical on your home or commercial building then damage to the surface can occur. For external surface, the outer layer of paint is specially formulated to protect the material underneath. Should a pressure cleaner use too much stripping chemicals or too high pressure they will damage this layer. Ultimately, exposing the outer structure to weather and damage.
There are some standards to pressure cleaning, some best practices which achieve the best results. However, that doesn’t mean every operator uses the same practice rules.
There is nothing inherently wrong with using an alternative method. Perhaps for the chemicals they use this process achieves the best results.
Taking a moment to ask exactly how they do what they do will give you an understanding of what to expect.
You can also use this information to compare the different companies you speak to.
Some pressure cleaners say their magic is in the chemicals they use. This may very well be true.
Knowing what chemicals they will use, is much like knowing their process. It is simply a means to arm you with the most information to make an informed decision.
Should you have any aversions to certain chemicals this is the time to ask about them, or find out why they choose to use the. Or to see if they offer any alternatives.
Last but not least, do they guarantee their work? This is the final seal of assurance, a token offering for your peace of mind. Knowing that they believe in their work, and you should too.
A guarantee is a sign of confidence, and ultimately that is what you need. A company is sure they have the experience and knowledge to tackle any job you give them.
Professional pressure cleaners can bring almost any surface back to life. From domestic house exteriors, roofs and driveways, to commercial properties, and tennis courts. Finding the right one, however, can take diligence.
Nexus@Banyo. Over 5000 square metres was cleaned over 2 weekends. All car parks, driveways, paths and common areas were pressure cleaned using our water efficient machine. Because the job was done on the weekend there were no disruptions to the businesses on site. For all your concrete cleaning needs in Brisbane or Gold Coast no matter what size contact us for a free quote.
Most average sized driveways 60-80 square metres cost $99 for a basic pressure clean which removes dirt and grime build up on your driveway. Additional costs of $55 may be charged if you need oil and grease stains removed as well as mould and rust. Give your home great street appeal with a clean driveway which may add value to your home. Check out our before and after gallery to see the differences we’ve made to people’s driveways throughout brisbane.
Most people don’t realize this but proper maintenance of tennis court is just as important to a quality game as having the right person to play against or the right racquet. The right net and play surface makes for an ideal ensemble to play tennis. But like everything else in the world, it requires some work to keep it looking great and to ensure that it provides you with a great area to play the game.
There comes a point in every home owner’s life when they will take a look at their drive and realise that it needs a thorough clean. With stains, marks, and other blemishes, as well as a general level of dirt and grime that begins to bother you.