When was the last time you looked up at your roof or render?
Because I bet if you went out now and looked up you’d think,
“When did that turn green?”
This is the case for many homeowners who avoid soft washing in Exeter and Devon.
The rain, shade, and time combine to completely cover homes in Devon with layers of algae, moss, and dirt that slowly dull their appearance.
The usual instinct is to reach for a pressure washer.
But while it might blast away grime fast, it can cause irreversible damage to your render, crack your tiles, and drive water to where it doesn’t belong.
That’s why more homeowners are turning to soft washing, a safer, longer-lasting way to restore your home’s exterior without causing damage.
What Exactly Is Soft Washing?
Soft washing uses specialist biodegradable solutions and low water pressure to remove organic growth from surfaces such as roofs, walls, and render.
Rather than relying on force from a pressure washer. Soft washing works by treating the root cause…
The spores and growth that create those dark streaks and stains.
I like to think of it like a skincare routine for your home.
Would you use sandpaper on your face?
Or would you use a gentle cleanser that lifts dirt without harm.
Soft washing works the same way for your home.
Where We Use Soft Washing Across Exeter and Devon
At The Exeter Gutter Cleaner, we provide soft washing for properties in Exeter, Exminster, Marsh Barton, Poltimore, and surrounding Devon villages.
It’s perfect for surfaces that need care as well as cleaning, including:
- Render cleaning – removes algae streaks and restores original colour.
- Roof cleaning – clears moss and grime safely without breaking tiles.
- Walls, patios, and driveways – removes slippery moss and brightens worn surfaces.
Each job begins with an inspection so we can choose the right cleaning solution for your property.
This process allows us to get the job done right the first time around.
Why Homeowners Across Devon Prefer Soft Washing
If I asked you how to clean the outside of your home , you would probably reply with,
“Pressure washing”
Many people think of pressure washing because it’s the easiest way to clean your home. They can head on down to B&Q and rent a pressure washer for the day, and get to work.
While pressure washing may look dramatic, it doesn’t fix the problem for long, and I would almost argue that pressure washing will cause you more problems down the road.
Pressure washing can cause damage to the render, and water can start to seep into your home.
Soft washing is the best way to approach cleaning the render on your home because it’s a more effective clean and it lasts longer.
It’s also safer for your home and the environment.
The main advantages are simple:
- Kills organic growth at the source, so the clean lasts much longer.
- Gentle on delicate surfaces such as painted render and older roof tiles.
- Uses biodegradable, environmentally safe products.
- Costs less over time, rather than repainting or repairing water damage.
Many of our clients who have chosen our soft washing service in Exeter have told us that when they pull into their drives after work they have to double check that they have the right house because of how clean their home looks.
Why Now Is the Best Time for Soft Washing
As we all know autumn and winter bring constant rain and cold nights in Exeter, and that combination is a nightmare for your home’s exterior.
When I speak to homeowners most of them believe that the moss and algae growing on their homes is harmless but…
Moss and Algae act like a sponge, trapping moisture against your render, roof tiles, and patios.
Then this gets even worse because when temperatures drop, that trapped water freezes and expands, forcing its way into cracks and joints.
That’s when you start to see leaks, flaking paint, and damaged render that can cost thousands to repair.
Booking a soft wash in Exeter before the winter gives your home a much better chance to stay protected throughout these colder months.
Our professional soft washing treatments remove moss, algae, and organic buildup at the root, so your walls and roof can breathe again.
By cleaning now, you’re not just improving appearances, you’re preventing the freeze-thaw damage that ruins render and discolours roofs all over Devon every winter.
Once the cleaning solution has done its job, your surfaces are left clean, bright, and protected.
When spring finally arrives again, your render will still look fresh instead of covered in green streaks or black mould stains.
We’ve had homeowners in Exminster, Marsh Barton, and Broadclyst tell us that they thought they were going to have to pay hundreds of pounds to get the outside of their homes repainted because they thought this was the only way to go.
But after searching for soft washing in Exeter and coming across The Exeter Gutter Cleaner and booking a professional soft wash, it made their home look like it had just been repainted.
The difference is night and day, and the protection lasts for months, not weeks.
So don’t wait until the first frost. Once the cold weather arrives, organic growth becomes harder to remove, and cracks caused by ice expansion become permanent.
Now is the ideal time to act, before the damp sets in and the damage begins.
How Our Soft Washing Process Works
You have heard all about how soft washing is the best method of cleaning the exterior of your home but you are probably wondering how we do it.
At The Exeter Gutter Cleaner our method combines experience with care. We don’t rush jobs or take shortcuts, each clean follows a clear process:
- Assessment: We inspect your surfaces to determine the safest cleaning approach.
- Treatment: The soft wash solution is applied evenly at low pressure.
- Dwell time: The solution breaks down moss, lichen, and algae at their roots.
- Result: The chemical is left to work its magic, so no need to rinse.
This gentle approach protects your home’s surfaces while providing a deep, lasting clean.
We’ve carried out soft washing for homeowners across Exeter, Upton Pyne, and Broadclyst who were amazed at the difference.
With more than 46 five-star reviews, we’ve built a reputation for reliable, high-quality results that last.
The Cost of Doing Nothing
Leaving your walls, roof, or render to discolour might not seem urgent, at the moment you just might think it’s an eyesore, but it can become costly over time.
Moss and algae trap water, which causes:
- Damp patches and mould inside the home
- Cracked render and loose roof tiles
- Erosion of paint and mortar
A professional soft wash in Exeter could save you over £4,000 in repainting costs later.
Final Thoughts: Gentle Cleaning, Powerful Results
Your home protects you all year around from the weather, it deserves to be protected in the same way.
Soft washing keeps your exterior clean, healthy, and free from the damage that harsh pressure can cause.
If I asked you right now, when was the last time you cleaned the inside of your home you’d say last week maybe.
But, if I asked you when was the last time you cleaned the outside of your home, could you tell me?
If your roof, render, or walls are starting to show their age, don’t wait until winter makes things worse.
Call The Exeter Gutter Cleaner today or fill out the form below to book your soft washing in Exeter, Exminster, or anywhere across Devon.