Why We're Sharing Our Process
One of the most common questions we get from homeowners along Edwards Mill Road, Lake Boone Trail, and the Shelley Lake neighborhood is simply: "What exactly do you do when you clean a house?" It's a fair question. Most people have never watched a professional house wash from start to finish, and the term "soft washing" doesn't mean much until you see it in action.
So we're pulling back the curtain. This walkthrough follows the actual process we use on a typical two-story home in the 27612 zip code — the kind of home you'd find on streets off Lassiter Mill Road, Lead Mine Road, or Sawmill Road near Crabtree Valley and North Hills. The same process applies to homes we clean throughout Midtown Raleigh (27609), Glenwood Avenue north of the beltline, and the Six Forks Road corridor.
The 7-Step Soft Wash Process
Here's exactly what happens when our crew arrives at a home near Shelley Lake, the Edwards Mill Road corridor, or anywhere in the Crabtree Valley/North Hills area:
Property Walk-Around & Assessment
Before we touch any equipment, we walk the entire property. We're looking at siding material (vinyl, HardiPlank, brick, or stucco — all common in the Lake Boone Trail and Lassiter Mill neighborhoods), identifying the type and severity of growth (green algae, black mildew, oxidation), checking for loose siding or open windows, and noting landscaping that needs protection. This takes about 10 minutes and determines our exact solution mix ratios and pressure settings.
Landscaping Protection
Homes near Shelley Lake and the Sertoma Park area often have established gardens, mature shrubs, and valuable plantings close to the house. Before any cleaning solution is applied, we thoroughly pre-wet all plants, flower beds, and grass within the splash zone using fresh water. This creates a protective barrier — the plant leaves and root zones absorb clean water first, which dilutes any cleaning solution that contacts them during the wash. We repeat this rinse throughout the process.
Soft Wash Solution Application (Bottom to Top)
Using our downstream injection system, we apply a professional-grade cleaning solution to all siding surfaces, working from the bottom of the house upward. This prevents streaking — the solution on the lower sections keeps the surface wet as we work up. On a typical two-story home in the 27612 or 27609 zip code, this takes about 20–30 minutes. Our reach extends to 40+ feet, meaning we can clean every surface on a standard two-story home from the ground — no ladders needed, which is especially important on the steeper lots along Edwards Mill Road and Blue Ridge Road.
What's in the Solution?
Our soft wash solution contains sodium hypochlorite (the same active ingredient in household bleach, but at professional concentrations), mixed with surfactants that help it cling to vertical surfaces instead of running off. The solution kills algae, mold, and mildew at the root level — not just on the surface. It breaks down into salt water within hours and is safe for the siding materials found throughout homes on Glenwood Avenue, Lynn Road, and the Crabtree corridor.
Dwell Time (10–15 Minutes)
This is the step most DIYers skip — and it's the reason professional results look so different from rental-machine results. The solution needs time to penetrate and kill the organic growth embedded in your siding's texture. During dwell time, you can literally watch the green and black growth start to dissolve and run down the siding. On heavily shaded north-facing walls — common on homes tucked among the trees near Shelley Lake's walking trails and the Sawmill Road area — we may apply a second coat to the worst sections.
Low-Pressure Rinse (Top to Bottom)
After the dwell time, we rinse the entire house from top to bottom using low pressure — typically 300–500 PSI, which is less than your garden hose nozzle. The cleaning solution has already done the hard work of killing and loosening the growth. The rinse simply flushes everything away, leaving clean siding behind. We pay special attention to eaves, soffits, window frames, and trim — areas where buildup tends to concentrate on homes along Lake Boone Trail, Lead Mine Road, and the Edwards Mill corridor.
Window & Detail Rinse
We do a dedicated pass on all windows, light fixtures, downspouts, and decorative trim. Splash-back from the main wash can leave spots on glass if not addressed. For homes with stone or brick accents — popular in many of the custom builds along Lassiter Mill Road and near the NC Museum of Art on Blue Ridge Road — we give these surfaces extra attention to remove any solution residue from textured surfaces.
Final Landscaping Rinse & Walk-Through
We finish by thoroughly rinsing all landscaping, walkways, and any hardscape that received overspray. Then we do a complete walk-around with the homeowner (when available) to point out the results and ensure everything meets our standards. The entire process on a typical two-story home in the Shelley Lake, Crabtree, or North Hills area takes 1.5 to 2.5 hours.
Why This Process Works Better Than Pressure Washing
Traditional high-pressure washing forces water behind siding, damages paint, etches wood, and — critically — doesn't kill the algae and mildew at the root level. The growth comes back within weeks. Our soft wash process uses chemistry rather than brute force, which means:
- The organic growth is killed, not just removed. This means your home stays cleaner 3–4 times longer than after a pressure wash. Homeowners on Edwards Mill Road and near Shelley Lake who switch from DIY pressure washing to professional soft washing consistently report that their homes stay clean for 12–18 months instead of 3–4 months.
- No risk of siding damage. At 300–500 PSI, there is zero chance of cracking vinyl, chipping paint, or forcing water behind siding panels. This is especially important for the older homes and custom builds in the Lake Boone Trail and Blue Ridge Road neighborhoods.
- Faster and more thorough. The solution reaches into every texture, crevice, and overlap in your siding. High-pressure wands can only clean what they're pointed directly at — they miss the undersides of lap siding, the insides of grooves, and textured areas where growth hides.
A Note About Rental Pressure Washers
We see the damage from rental pressure washers on homes throughout Midtown Raleigh, Crabtree, and the Six Forks corridor regularly. Common problems include water forced behind vinyl siding (leading to mold inside walls), "wand marks" on concrete where uneven pressure creates permanent light-dark stripes, and chipped or etched brick and stone. Professional soft washing eliminates these risks entirely.
What This Costs for Homes Near Shelley Lake & Edwards Mill
Two-story homes in the 27612 zip code — including the Shelley Lake neighborhood, Edwards Mill area, Crabtree, and Lake Boone Trail — typically range from 2,000 to 3,500 square feet of siding. Here's what to expect for a professional soft wash:
- 2,000–2,500 sq ft home: $275–$375 — common for the ranch-style and split-level homes along Lead Mine Road and Sawmill Road.
- 2,500–3,000 sq ft home: $375–$475 — typical of the two-story colonials and transitional homes near Lassiter Mill and North Hills.
- 3,000–3,500+ sq ft home: $475–$600 — found on the larger lots along Lake Boone Trail, Blue Ridge Road, and Edwards Mill Road.
- Add driveway + sidewalk cleaning: +$150–$250 — we offer 10% off when bundled with house washing.
We provide free, no-obligation quotes for every property. Pricing is based on actual square footage, siding type, and growth severity — not generic estimates. We're proud to serve homeowners across zip codes 27607, 27609, and 27612 — from the NC Museum of Art to North Hills Mall and everywhere in between.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to soft wash a two-story home near Shelley Lake?
A typical two-story home in the Shelley Lake, Edwards Mill, or Lake Boone Trail area takes 1.5 to 2.5 hours for a complete soft wash including pre-treatment, cleaning, and rinse. Larger homes or those with heavy algae buildup may take up to 3 hours.
Is soft washing safe for vinyl and HardiPlank siding?
Absolutely. Soft washing uses low pressure (under 500 PSI) combined with professional-grade cleaning solutions to safely remove algae, mildew, and grime from vinyl, HardiPlank, brick, and stucco — all siding types common in the 27612 and 27609 zip codes. It's the method recommended by most siding manufacturers.
Will the cleaning solution harm my plants?
No. We pre-wet all landscaping before we start and rinse everything thoroughly afterward. The cleaning solution breaks down into salt water within hours. We've cleaned homes with award-winning gardens near the NC Museum of Art, JC Raulston Arboretum area, and Pullen Park without any plant damage.
How often should I have my home soft washed?
For most homes in the Shelley Lake, Edwards Mill, and Crabtree Valley area (27612), annual soft washing is ideal — typically in spring after pollen season or in early fall. Homes with heavy shade or north-facing walls may benefit from cleaning every 10–12 months. We'll give you an honest recommendation based on your property's specific conditions.
Do you clean the areas around PNC Arena and Umstead Park?
Yes. We serve the entire Blue Ridge Road corridor from PNC Arena south to Lake Johnson, the Edwards Mill area, and neighborhoods along the border of William B. Umstead State Park. Homes near Umstead tend to have heavier organic growth due to the tree canopy — exactly the conditions soft washing is designed to handle.