
Professional soft washing for painted and unpainted render, brick, and stone walls. Remove algae, moss, and pollution staining safely.
Exterior walls take a beating from Irish weather. Rain, wind, and damp conditions create perfect growing conditions for algae and moss. Pollution from traffic leaves a grimy film on surfaces. Over time, walls that were once clean and bright turn green, grey, or patchy.
We clean exterior walls across Dublin using soft wash techniques that remove organic growth without damaging the surface. High-pressure washing is too aggressive for most rendered walls—it can strip paint, damage the render, and force water into the wall where it causes damp problems.
Soft washing uses low pressure and specialized cleaning solutions to kill algae and moss at the root, then wash it away gently.
Soft washing isn't just safer—it's more effective long-term. The cleaning solution penetrates organic growth and kills it completely, rather than just blasting it off the surface. This means walls stay cleaner for longer because the algae and moss don't regrow as quickly. High-pressure washing removes visible growth but often leaves roots and spores behind that come back within months.
The process is straightforward. We apply a biodegradable cleaning solution that breaks down algae, moss, and lichen. After letting it work for 15–20 minutes, we rinse everything away using low-pressure water. The walls come clean without any risk of damage to paint, render, or pointing. It's safe for all wall types—painted render, unpainted render, brick, stone, and pebbledash.
Green algae is the most common issue we see. It starts as a faint tinge and spreads quickly, especially on north-facing walls that don't get much sun. Black mould spots appear around windows and in corners where moisture accumulates. Red algae creates orange or pink staining on some surfaces. Moss grows in cracks and joints, holding moisture against the wall and causing long-term damage.
Pollution staining is another problem, particularly in urban areas. Traffic fumes and industrial emissions leave a grey film on walls. It's most noticeable on white or light-colored render. Rain washes some of it away but also creates streaking patterns that look worse than uniform dirt. Professional cleaning removes all of this and restores the original appearance.
High-pressure washing can strip paint, damage render, and force water into walls where it causes damp problems. It's particularly risky on older properties with lime render or soft brick. Even modern cement render can be damaged if the pressure is too high or the nozzle is held too close. Soft washing eliminates these risks while delivering better long-term results.
Identify wall type and check for damage or weak areas
Cover plants, windows, and other sensitive areas
Apply biodegradable cleaning solution to kill organic growth
Allow solution to work for 15–20 minutes
Gently wash away dead growth and cleaning solution
Check results and address any remaining problem areas
Results vary depending on exposure and environment. North-facing walls in shaded areas will see algae return faster than south-facing walls in full sun. Properties surrounded by trees also see faster regrowth due to moss spores and organic debris. On average, you can expect 3–5 years before algae becomes noticeable again.
Some customers opt for maintenance cleans every few years to keep walls looking their best. Others wait until growth is visible before calling us back. Either approach works—it's really about how much you care about appearance versus how much you want to spend on maintenance. Regular cleaning does help prevent long-term damage from organic growth, so there's a practical benefit beyond just looks.
If you're planning to repaint your exterior walls, professional cleaning is an essential first step. Paint won't adhere properly to dirty or algae-covered surfaces. The organic growth needs to be completely removed and the surface needs to be clean and dry before painting begins.
We recommend cleaning at least a week before painting to allow walls to dry thoroughly. Some painters prefer longer—two weeks in damp weather. The cleaning solution we use is biodegradable and won't interfere with paint adhesion once it's rinsed away and the surface has dried. Many decorators specifically request soft washing before they start work because they know it gives the best results.
Professional soft washing for all exterior wall types
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