How Rexterior Protects Your Landscaping During House Washing

Rexterior technician washing a two-story home in Pasadena

The most common question we hear before a house wash isn't about price. It's "Will this hurt my plants?" It's a fair question. Soft washing uses cleaning solutions to remove mildew, algae and grime, and those solutions need to be handled with care. Careful preparation is a core part of our house washing service. Here's how we protect what matters to you, before, during and after the wash.

Before we wash: prepare and protect

  • We cover exterior electrical outlets with protective tape as a precaution.
  • We pre-wet surrounding plants and landscaping with fresh water.
  • We identify delicate plants and sensitive areas, and cover delicate plants near the walls when needed.

While we wash: clean with care

  • We use professional cleaning solutions suited to exterior house washing.
  • We use low-pressure soft-washing methods matched to each surface, with controlled application.
  • We take precautions to keep cleaning solutions out of the street and storm drains.

Want your house washed? Request a free quote or call (626) 545-3132.

After we wash: rinse and inspect

  • We rinse surrounding plants and landscaping again with fresh water.
  • We remove the protective outlet tape when it's safe to do so.
  • We check the work area and remove any temporary protective materials.

Protecting your pets

We ask that pets stay inside or away from the work area while we wash. We'll let you know when it's a good time for pets to return. Timing can depend on the products used and the areas treated, so ask your crew if you have any concerns. If you have a pet door or a dog run near the house, just let us know when you book.

Protecting your paint and surfaces

Low-pressure soft washing is designed for stucco, siding and painted surfaces. We match the method to each surface and take extra care with older paint, wood trim and anything already weathered. Before we start, we walk the home and point out any existing damage, so there are no surprises.

Protecting fixtures and openings

We work carefully around light fixtures, vents, windows and doors. Please make sure windows and doors are fully closed before we arrive.

How you can help

  • Close and latch all windows and doors
  • Move cars out of the driveway if possible
  • Bring in or move delicate items: cushions, decorations, potted plants near the walls
  • Let us know about any plants you're especially attached to

Why this matters

A clean house shouldn't come at the cost of your garden. Careful preparation, the right methods and a crew that cares are what separate a professional house wash from a risky one. Every wash is done by our own crew, never a subcontractor, and Rexterior carries $1 million in general liability insurance and workers' compensation coverage for our crew. These precautions help protect your home and landscaping, and we'll point out anything we notice before we begin.

Want a crew you never have to worry about? Request a free quote or call (626) 545-3132. Learn more about our house washing service.

Related reading: Why Professional House Washing Costs What It Does

Frequently asked questions

How do you protect my plants?

We pre-wet plants, cover delicate ones near the walls when needed, and rinse everything again with fresh water after washing, on every house wash. Let us know about any plants you're especially attached to.

Do I need to be home during the wash?

Not necessarily. We just need access to the exterior and for windows and doors to be closed.

When can my pets go back outside?

Your crew will tell you when it's a good time, based on the products used and the areas treated.