Soft-washing is an excellent way to clean the exterior of your home without causing damage, especially compared to the harsh pressure washing. However, the cleaning solution used in soft-washing, often containing sodium hypochlorite (SH), can be harmful to your lawn, plants, and landscaping if precautions aren’t taken. Sodium hypochlorite is effective for removing dirt, algae, mold, and mildew, but it can damage plants, soil, and grass if it comes into contact with them.

Here’s a guide on how to protect your plants, grass, bushes, shrubs, trees, flowers, and landscaping when using sodium hypochlorite as a soft-washing solution.

1. Cover Your Plants

The most straightforward and effective way to protect plants is by covering them. Use plastic sheeting, tarps, or even old bedsheets to shield your plants from the cleaning solution. Make sure to secure the covering with rocks, bricks, or clips to prevent it from blowing away or shifting.

Tip: Ensure the covering drapes over the plants and touches the ground to create a protective barrier from the cleaning chemicals.

2. Water Your Plants Before Soft-Washing

Before you begin soft-washing, give your plants a deep watering. Well-hydrated plants are less likely to absorb sodium hypochlorite from the cleaning solution, which can help protect both the foliage and the root system. The water acts as a protective layer, keeping the chemicals away from the plants.

Tip: Water your plants early in the morning or late in the afternoon to reduce evaporation and ensure that the water soaks deeply into the soil.

3. Dilute the Sodium Hypochlorite Solution

Sodium hypochlorite is a potent chemical that works well for cleaning but can damage plants and soil if used too concentrated. Always dilute the sodium hypochlorite solution according to the manufacturer's instructions. A too-strong mixture can cause severe damage to your landscaping.

Tip: It’s safer to opt for a weaker solution of sodium hypochlorite to avoid harming your plants. You can always apply more than one layer of cleaning solution if necessary.

4. Rain Can Help, But Too Much Can Be a Problem

Rain can be an ally when soft-washing your home. If rain is expected shortly after you wash your home, it can help dilute and wash away the sodium hypochlorite from your plants and lawn, lessening the risk of damage. However, heavy rainfall can wash the chemicals away too quickly, affecting the cleaning results. Light rain is ideal as it will help to dilute the solution gradually without affecting the overall effectiveness of the cleaning process.

Tip: Monitor the weather forecast and try to plan the soft-washing job so that light rain follows, helping to protect your plants without compromising your results.

5. Rinse After Soft-Washing

Once the soft-washing process is complete, thoroughly rinse both the exterior of your home and the surrounding plants. This will help remove any leftover sodium hypochlorite residue from your landscaping. Use a garden hose with a gentle spray setting to avoid disturbing the soil too much.

Tip: Ensure that you rinse your plants and soil thoroughly. Pay extra attention to plant leaves and flowers, as they are more likely to absorb any residual solution.

6. Avoid Direct Spray on Plants

Although soft-washing uses lower pressure than traditional pressure washing, it’s still important to avoid directly spraying your plants with the cleaning solution. Instead, direct the spray nozzle away from the plants or use a low-pressure setting to ensure the solution doesn’t come into direct contact with them.

Tip: Use a wider spray nozzle or a garden sprayer to control the flow of the cleaning solution, minimizing the risk of overspraying onto sensitive plants.

7. Consider Using NeutraPods® for Extra Protection

One of the best ways to protect your landscaping from sodium hypochlorite during soft-washing is by using NeutraPods®. These are easy-to-use sodium hypochlorite neutralizers that are specifically designed to protect sensitive plants and property from the harmful effects of SH. NeutraPods® are packaged in water-soluble pouches, so you don’t have to worry about collecting waste once the job is complete.

NeutraPods® can be strategically placed in gutters during soft-washing jobs to ensure runoff doesn't harm your plants. Additionally, NeutraPods® can be added to buckets of water and sprayed on your plants as you’re washing the siding of your home. A single NeutraPod® can make approximately 50 gallons of neutralizing agent, making it an efficient solution for protecting your landscaping.

Tip: When applying NeutraPods®, simply drop them into water-filled buckets or mixing containers and stir to dissolve the neutralizer. Spray the mixture directly onto plants and grass before, during, and after the soft-washing process to neutralize any sodium hypochlorite runoff.

View Neutrapods Here

Conclusion

Soft-washing your home with sodium hypochlorite is a great way to get rid of dirt and algae while avoiding the damage that high-pressure washing can cause. However, it’s important to take steps to protect your plants and landscaping from potential harm. By covering your plants, diluting the sodium hypochlorite solution, rinsing thoroughly, and using products like NeutraPods® to neutralize the chemicals, you can keep your home and garden looking great.

With these precautions in place, you’ll enjoy a beautifully clean home and a healthy, thriving garden without the worry of damage from cleaning chemicals.