House washing in Toronto means cleaning every exterior surface the right way. Vinyl, aluminum and stucco get a low-pressure soft wash that kills algae and mildew at the root. Sound brick gets controlled cold-water pressure. Gardens are protected throughout. A typical 1,500 sqft home takes 3-5 hours and runs $350-$550.
Why Does House Siding Turn Green in Toronto?
Toronto’s humid summers and mature tree canopy keep north and shaded walls damp. That moisture feeds green algae, black mildew spots and grey lichen, which build up fastest under eaves, behind shrubs and on the side of the house that never sees sun. Homes near the lake in The Beaches, Port Credit and the Scarborough Bluffs see it every year. Add road dust, pollen, spider webs and leaf tannins and the whole house starts to look tired.
Older aluminum siding has its own issue: chalky oxidation that rubs off on your hand. And stucco absorbs dirt in its texture, so it greys out quickly.
What Is House Washing?
Our house wash uses the SoftWash low-pressure line. A measured mix of diluted sodium hypochlorite and a biodegradable surfactant is applied from the bottom up, left to dwell for a few minutes, then rinsed from the top down with low-pressure water. The chemistry kills algae, mildew and lichen. The rinse carries them away. Nothing is blasted.
Brick walls that are in good condition get a controlled cold-water rinse with a 40-degree nozzle. Soft or heritage brick gets the soft wash instead, as covered on our soft washing page.
Types of Siding We Wash
| Siding | Method | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Vinyl | SoftWash, low pressure | No water forced behind panels |
| Aluminum | SoftWash with gentle agitation where chalky | Removes oxidation and grime |
| Stucco and EIFS | SoftWash, EIFS-safe detergent | No gouging of texture |
| Brick (sound) | Cold water, 40-degree nozzle | Controlled distance and angle |
| Painted wood | SoftWash, very low pressure | Protects paint film |
When Should You Book a House Wash?
- When you see green or black on the north wall
- Before painting or caulking, which need a clean surface
- Before listing, since siding shows in every listing photo
- In fall, to clear algae and pollen before winter
- In spring, to remove winter road grime
How Much Does House Washing Cost in Toronto?
Pricing
A full house wash for a 1,500 sqft home runs $350-$550 and takes 3-5 hours. Larger homes and extra storeys cost more, and heritage masonry is quoted per surface. Combine with a roof soft wash ($450-$850) or a driveway clean for a better combined price, or book the Spring + Fall package at $450-$850.
Common House Washing Problems We Solve
Green north walls
The most common complaint. Algae grows wherever the wall stays damp and shaded. Soft washing kills it at the root, so it takes far longer to come back than if it were simply rinsed off.
Black spots on siding
Small black dots on vinyl or stucco are often mildew colonies. Some are artillery fungus, which sticks like tar and may need spot treatment. We identify which before quoting.
Chalky aluminum siding
Older aluminum siding oxidizes into a white powder that rubs off on hands and clothes. A suitable detergent with gentle agitation removes the chalk and leaves the paint looking fresher. Heavily chalked siding may need repainting, which we will tell you.
Spider webs, wasp nests and bird droppings under eaves
Soffits and fascia collect webs and droppings out of reach. The SoftWash line reaches them from the ground or a ladder, and we flag active wasp nests before working near them.
Grey stucco
Textured stucco traps road dust in every ridge. A soft wash lifts it without gouging the finish, which high pressure would do.
Streaks under windows and gutters
Overflowing gutters and dirty window sills leave vertical streaks. We clean the streaks and recommend a gutter check if they come back quickly.
What to Expect on the Day
- The crew walks around the house with you, or on their own if you are out, and checks windows are closed.
- Gardens are watered down and outdoor outlets and light fixtures are protected.
- The soft wash mix is applied from the bottom up, side by side.
- After a short dwell, each side is rinsed from the top down.
- Plants are rinsed again and the crew checks windows, sills and walks for residue.
Most homes are finished in 3 to 5 hours. You do not need to be home as long as we can reach an outdoor tap.
DIY House Washing vs Professional Soft Washing
| DIY pressure washing | Our house wash | |
|---|---|---|
| Pressure on siding | High, water forced behind panels | Low, no water behind siding |
| Algae and mildew | Knocked off, regrows quickly | Killed at the root, stays clean longer |
| Upper storeys | Ladder work with a wand | Reached from the ground with the SoftWash line |
| Risk | Cracked vinyl, gouged stucco, wet insulation | Plants and finishes protected |
| Time | A full weekend | 3-5 hours |
Pressure washing siding from a ladder is one of the riskiest DIY jobs we see, both for the house and the person on the ladder. Soft washing from the ground is safer and lasts longer.
How Often Should a House Be Washed?
Most Toronto homes look their best with a wash every one to two years. Homes under heavy canopy, beside ravines or near the lake usually need yearly washing, ideally in fall when algae growth peaks. Pair it with a spring driveway clean through the Spring + Fall package to save about 15%.
House Washing Across the GTA
Power Pressure Washing Toronto washes homes across Toronto Central and North York, in Cornell, Berczy Village and Unionville in Markham, and across Mississauga, Oakville, Scarborough and the rest of the GTA. For everything around the house, see our main pressure washing page.
