House Washing in Sterling Heights, MI
Metro Detroit's Trusted Soft Wash House Washing Team
Your house shouldn't be washed the same way you clean a driveway. Soft washing is the right way to clean siding — low pressure combined with siding-safe cleaning solutions that lift algae, mildew, dirt, and organic growth without damaging your home. We handle full-service house washing across metro Detroit for vinyl, brick, stucco, cedar, aluminum, and painted siding. Real cleaning that lasts, not a quick surface rinse.
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The Right Way To Wash A House
Most homeowners assume house washing means high-pressure blasting — the same equipment you'd use on a concrete driveway. It's not. Pressure washing siding at high PSI can force water behind vinyl panels, damage caulking around windows and doors, strip paint, gouge cedar and wood siding, and knock loose old mortar on brick. It's the wrong tool for the job. Soft washing is the professional standard — the same method used by exterior cleaning experts nationwide — because it actually cleans siding without damaging it. Soft washing uses low pressure combined with specialized cleaning solutions calibrated for siding surfaces. The solution does the work: it dissolves algae, mildew, dirt, pollen, and organic growth at the source. The low-pressure water carries it away. Nothing gets forced behind siding. Nothing damages paint or caulking. And critically, because the solution kills organic growth at the root instead of just rinsing surface stains off, results last 1 to 2 years — not a few months. We handle house washing across metro Detroit including Sterling Heights, Shelby Township, Rochester Hills, Troy, Grosse Pointe, West Bloomfield, and Bloomfield Hills.
Why House Washing Matters
The green and black staining that appears on siding over time isn't dirt — it's living organic growth. Algae, mildew, and lichen slowly embed into the surface of vinyl, brick, stucco, and painted siding. Left untreated, they eventually stain the material permanently, cause discoloration that no wash will remove, and in the case of cedar or painted wood siding, break down the coating itself and shorten the lifespan of your exterior. Regular soft washing solves all of it. It removes the growth, kills what's beneath the surface, and restores the siding to its original appearance. It's also one of the best returns on investment in home maintenance — a well-washed exterior can add thousands of dollars to a home's perceived value when selling, and prevents the far larger cost of premature siding replacement.
The Process
Our House Washing Process
Step 1: Property Prep
Before we touch a hose, we walk the property with you if you're home, cover or pre-wet landscaping and delicate plants near the house, close windows and doors, and identify any siding issues (loose caulk, cracked panels, damaged paint) that we should work around. Every wash starts with a plan.
Step 2: Soft Wash Application
We apply our siding-safe cleaning solution using low-pressure application equipment designed specifically for exterior walls. The solution is calibrated for the specific siding type on your home — vinyl, brick, stucco, cedar, or aluminum — and formulated to lift algae, mildew, dirt, pollen, and organic growth at the root. We work section by section, top to bottom, to ensure full coverage without streaking.
Step 3: Dwell & Rinse
The cleaning solution needs time to work — usually 5 to 15 minutes depending on how heavy the growth is. Then we thoroughly rinse the siding with low-pressure water, top to bottom, so dirt and dead algae wash away completely. Final rinse continues onto landscaping and any surrounding hardscape to dilute any solution runoff.
Our Services
Siding Types We Wash
The most common siding across metro Detroit, and one of the most commonly damaged by high-pressure washing. Vinyl is safe with soft washing — our cleaning solution lifts algae, mildew, and pollen from every seam without forcing water behind panels or fading the color. Perfect for the vast majority of homes in Sterling Heights, Shelby Township, Macomb Township, and every subdivision in metro Detroit.
Brick homes throughout Grosse Pointe, Bloomfield Hills, and the older neighborhoods of metro Detroit are prone to algae growth on shaded walls, mortar staining, and efflorescence (white powdery buildup). Soft washing lifts all of it without damaging mortar joints or forcing water into the wall system. Historic and pre-war brick homes need this treatment specifically — high pressure destroys old mortar.
Stucco is porous and easy to damage with high-pressure washing. Soft washing uses low pressure with a cleaner designed to lift growth from the porous surface without eroding or cracking the stucco itself. Common on higher-end custom homes throughout West Bloomfield and Bloomfield Hills.
Cedar shingles and wood siding require the most careful approach. High pressure gouges the wood grain, strips finish, and drives water into the material. Soft washing cleans cedar and wood siding safely, extending its lifespan and preserving stains and finishes.
Older aluminum siding — common in established metro Detroit neighborhoods — is prone to fading, chalking, and oxidation on top of standard algae and dirt buildup. Soft washing removes all of it without damaging the paint finish or thin aluminum panels.
Painted siding, hardboard, and composite materials all clean beautifully with soft washing. High pressure strips paint; soft washing preserves it while lifting years of dirt, mildew, and pollen buildup.
More For You....
House washing is one part of keeping the whole exterior of your home looking sharp. Most customers pair house washing with Pressure Washing for driveways, walkways, patios, and concrete surfaces — the areas where high-pressure washing is actually the correct approach. Gutter Cleaning is another smart pair, since dirty gutters overflow onto freshly washed siding and cause the exact staining we just removed. Adding Gutter Guard Installation stops the cycle for good. Window Cleaning after a house wash brings the entire exterior together with a streak-free finish. Underground Drain Cleaning handles the buried drain lines that carry water away from the foundation after all that runoff. And Landscaping around freshly washed siding puts the finishing touch on the whole property.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is soft washing and how is it different from pressure washing?
Soft washing uses low-pressure water combined with specialized cleaning solutions to safely lift algae, mildew, dirt, and organic growth from siding. Pressure washing uses high-pressure water alone to blast dirt off surfaces. For siding, soft washing is the correct method — it kills algae and mildew at the root rather than just blowing them off temporarily, and it won't force water behind siding, damage caulking, or strip paint the way high-pressure washing can.
Why does my house need to be washed?
Michigan homes accumulate algae, mildew, dirt, pollen, spider webs, dust from HVAC and dryer vents, and organic growth throughout the year. Green and black staining on siding isn't dirt — it's living organic growth that continues to spread and eventually damages the surface. Regular soft washing removes it, kills it at the root, and prevents permanent staining and premature siding replacement.
Is soft washing safe for all siding types?
Yes — soft washing is safe for vinyl, brick, stucco, cedar, aluminum, painted wood, hardboard, and composite siding. The low pressure protects the siding surface, and the cleaning solution is calibrated to be effective on organic growth without damaging paint, caulking, or the siding material itself. It's the safest professional cleaning method for exterior walls.
How often should I wash my house?
Most homes benefit from annual house washing — typically in spring after winter and before summer heat sets in. Homes with heavy tree cover, north-facing walls that stay damp, or lakefront properties may need it more often. Waiting more than 2 to 3 years usually allows organic growth to embed and stain the siding permanently.
Will house washing damage my landscaping?
No — we protect landscaping during every wash. We pre-wet plants and shrubs, use siding-safe solutions that break down quickly, and rinse thoroughly to prevent any residue. Landscaping directly beneath washed areas may be lightly wet, but it won't be damaged.
How long does a house washing take?
Most single-family homes take 2 to 4 hours depending on size, height, siding type, and condition. Larger homes, two- and three-story properties, or heavily stained siding can run longer. We give you an accurate time estimate when we quote.
Do you handle two-story and three-story homes?
Yes — multi-story homes are handled with soft washing systems designed to reach 30+ feet safely from the ground. This means no ladders leaning against your siding, no risk of ladder marks or damage, and safer working conditions for our crew.
Will the algae and mildew come back right away?
No — because soft washing kills organic growth at the root rather than just removing surface staining, results typically last 1 to 2 years before regrowth is visible. High-humidity or shaded areas may see faster regrowth. Annual maintenance washing keeps the house looking sharp year-round.
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Bloomfield Hills
Clinton Township
Bloomfield Hills
Clinton Township
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Proudly serving Metro Detroit alongside our sister businesses: Jerry Clean Mobile Detailing for mobile car detailing and Christmas Light Guys for holiday lighting installation.