The one-sentence difference
Pressure washing cleans with high-pressure water; soft washing cleans with low pressure plus biodegradable solutions that kill mold, mildew and algae at the root.
When to soft wash
Roofs (always), stucco, vinyl and painted siding, soffits, and screen enclosures, high pressure strips finishes and shingle granules.
When to pressure wash
Hard, durable surfaces: concrete driveways, sidewalks, pavers and brick. A commercial surface cleaner gives an even, stripe-free finish.
Why it matters in Florida
Our humidity grows algae fast, so homes here need regular cleaning, but improper pressure washing causes real moisture damage. Match the method to the surface.