The Power of Soft Washing for Effective Cleaning and Sanitization
Soft washing is essential for maintaining the cleanliness and hygiene of residential and commercial surfaces. This technique utilizes specialized cleaning solutions, typically sodium hypochlorite (SH), to eliminate visible dirt and sanitize surfaces by effectively killing harmful bacteria, viruses, fungi, and algae. Unlike traditional pressure washing methods, which can potentially damage delicate materials and surfaces, soft washing provides a gentler yet highly effective approach.
Soft washing’s comprehensive nature makes it a superior choice for protecting and preserving various surfaces, including those prone to damage from high-pressure water. By focusing on the science behind soft washing, this guide delves into the differences between cleaning, sanitizing, and sterilization. Understanding the role of sodium hypochlorite in the soft washing process is crucial for appreciating its ability to reduce microorganisms and ensure long-term surface cleanliness. Examining these distinctions clarifies how soft washing is a thorough cosmetic and hygienic maintenance solution, combining deep cleaning with essential protection.
What is Sodium Hypochlorite (SH)?
Sodium hypochlorite, commonly called bleach, is a yellow fluid widely used for water purification and sanitation. Its powerful chemical properties allow it to eliminate microorganisms that pose health risks. SH has long been essential in various industries, from purifying drinking water to bleaching textiles like cotton and turning yellow wood pulp into white paper. However, its use extends beyond aesthetic improvement—it’s also a potent disinfectant and sanitizer.
The importance of sodium hypochlorite in killing viruses became widely recognized during the COVID-19 pandemic when the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommended it as an effective tool against the virus. They specified that a 0.005% SH solution can kill COVID-19 on surfaces. This low concentration is gentle enough not to bleach or damage materials like fabrics or tablecloths but remains influential in killing bacteria and viruses.
How Soft Washing Kills Pathogens
Soft washing isn’t just about cleaning dirt off surfaces; it’s also a process designed to sanitize. By using a solution like sodium hypochlorite in appropriate concentrations, soft washing can achieve a high kill ratio for harmful pathogens. For example, testing with a one percent SH solution mixed with Clearview SoftWash’s Green Wash product resulted in a 99.9% kill rate for a panel of 15 pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, and fungi. This demonstrates the incredible power of soft washing for eliminating potentially dangerous microorganisms from exterior surfaces.
Understanding the Differences: Cleaning, Sanitizing, and Sterilization
It’s important to differentiate between three key terms when discussing hygiene—cleaning, sanitizing, and sterilizing.
- Cleaning: Cleaning refers to removing visible debris like dirt, dust, and contaminants from a surface. This is typically done using soap and water. Cleaning removes contaminants, but it doesn’t kill germs. While cleaning is a necessary first step, ensuring surfaces are safe and hygienic is not enough.
- Sanitizing: Sanitizing reduces the number of microorganisms, including bacteria and viruses, on surfaces to a safe level per public health standards. It doesn’t necessarily kill all pathogens but reduces them to a level that significantly lowers the risk of infection. When used at appropriate concentrations like one percent SH, soft washing solutions effectively sanitize surfaces and reduce ATP (adenosine triphosphate) levels, which measure biological contamination.
- Sterilization: Sterilization eliminates all microorganisms, including fungi, bacteria, viruses, and spores, from a surface. To ensure complete microbial eradication, sterilization might be necessary in specific settings, like healthcare facilities or public restrooms. With a higher concentration of SH, soft washing can achieve sterilization, particularly on hard surfaces like tile and stainless steel.
How ATP Meters Measure Sanitation
The ATP meter is a valuable tool for measuring the effectiveness of sanitization efforts. ATP (adenosine triphosphate) is a molecule found in and around living cells, making it an excellent indicator of biological contamination. By swabbing a surface and testing it with an ATP meter, professionals can measure how much biological material is present before and after cleaning. For example, a surface reading of 600 ATP before treatment that drops to 50 ATP after soft washing indicates successful sanitization.
This method helps ensure that soft washing isn’t just visually cleaning the surface but also reducing harmful microorganisms that may not be visible to the naked eye. Regular monitoring with ATP meters can provide measurable proof of sanitation, especially important in high-traffic or sensitive areas like schools, hospitals, or public facilities.
The Role of SH in Soft Washing: Moving from Cleaning to Sanitization and Sterilization
One of the main reasons sodium hypochlorite is so effective in soft washing is its versatility. It can clean, sanitize, or even sterilize surfaces depending on the concentration. A one-percent SH solution is strong enough to kill most bacteria and viruses without damaging the surface or treated materials. This level of SH concentration is perfect for routine sanitization of exterior surfaces, such as walls, roofs, and decks.
However, when dealing with more sensitive or public surfaces that require a deeper level of cleaning, such as park restrooms or playgrounds, professionals can increase the concentration of SH to two or three percent. Soft washing shifts from sanitizing to complete sterilization, ensuring that all microbes, including fungi, are eliminated. This is critical in areas where the buildup of harmful organisms is more likely due to constant exposure to moisture and human contact.
Disinfecting vs. Sanitizing: What’s the Difference?
Many confuse sanitizing with disinfecting, but the two terms have distinct meanings. Disinfecting refers to using chemical agents to destroy or inhibit the growth of harmful microorganisms. While sanitizing focuses on reducing microorganisms to safe levels, disinfecting aims to kill virtually all pathogens present on the surface. Both processes are essential but serve different purposes depending on the context.
For example, sanitizing with soft washing solutions is usually sufficient for outdoor cleaning. However, disinfecting or sterilizing is necessary for areas prone to contamination by bodily fluids. Fortunately, soft washing can adapt to these needs simply by adjusting the SH concentration in the solution.
Proving Sanitization with Third-Party Testing
When offering cleaning services, especially for businesses, it’s crucial to back up sanitization claims with verifiable data. Clearview SoftWash has invested in third-party testing to validate the effectiveness of its Green Wash solution in achieving a 99.9% kill ratio for 15 different pathogens. This gives clients peace of mind, knowing that the treated surfaces are clean and safe from harmful microbes.
With third-party verification, businesses can make claims they cannot substantiate, which could lead to legal challenges. For example, if a competitor questions the sanitization claims, it’s vital to be able to provide data to back them up, such as ATP readings or lab results. Clearview SoftWash provides this assurance, saving businesses time and protecting them from legal repercussions.
Why Soft Washing is the Preferred Choice for Exterior Surface Cleaning
Soft washing stands out from traditional pressure washing for several reasons. First, it is a more gentle and controlled method, making it ideal for delicate surfaces like shingles, wood, and siding that might be damaged by high-pressure cleaning. Second, it offers the added benefit of sanitization, ensuring that the surface isn’t just free of visible dirt but safe from harmful microbes.
Here are some of the key advantages of soft washing:
- Gentle on Surfaces: Soft washing doesn’t rely on the force of water to clean but rather on chemical solutions that break down dirt and microbes.
- Long-Lasting Results: Soft washing kills the microorganisms that cause discoloration, so surfaces stay cleaner longer than pressure washing.
- Environmentally Friendly: When appropriately applied, the biodegradable cleaning solutions used in soft washing are safe for plants, animals, and humans.
- Effective Sanitization: As demonstrated, soft washing can achieve a high kill rate for bacteria, viruses, and fungi, ensuring a safe and sanitized surface.
Conclusion
Soft washing is highly effective for cleaning and sanitizing exterior surfaces, especially when combined with sodium hypochlorite solutions like Green Wash. It eliminates visible dirt and stains and kills harmful microorganisms, providing a safer environment. For those looking to ensure their properties are clean and hygienic, soft washing offers an unmatched solution with proven results.
Ready to give your property a fresh, sanitized look? Clearview SoftWash specializes in safe and effective soft-washing solutions that eliminate grime, mold, and harmful pathogens. Our eco-friendly methods protect your surfaces while delivering deep-clean results. Call for a free consultation today and experience the difference Clearview SoftWash can make for your home or business!