House Washing in Charleston, SC
We wash Charleston homes with low pressure. We remove the dark spots, green film and black streaks our weather leaves behind. We never put high pressure on your siding. We wash homes from downtown to the islands.
Short answer: A TrueWash house wash cleans the whole outside of your Charleston home with low pressure and a solution that kills mold at the root. Most homes cost $500 to $1,500, based on size. Outside windows are free with a full house wash, and most homes are done in one day.
Why do Charleston homes need a house wash?
Charleston is hot and damp for much of the year. That weather helps mold, mildew and algae grow. You see it as green film and black streaks. It shows up most on shady walls and on the north side. It also grows where trees hang close to the house. Near the water, salt in the air settles on siding, trim and rails. Salt makes paint look dull faster.
A house wash does more than make a home look nice. Mold holds water against your siding. Over time, it wears down the paint. A wash on a regular schedule keeps your siding in good shape. It protects the money you put into your home. It is also one of the fastest ways to make a home look cared for. That is true if you plan to stay or plan to move.
This service is for people who care how the work gets done. That includes owners of waterfront homes and homes with costly siding. It is for anyone who wants a crew that treats the home like their own.
What a house wash covers
- Hardie (fiber cement) siding
- Painted wood siding
- Stucco
- Brick
- Trim, soffits and fascia
- Porches and railings
- Shutters and other trim details
- Outside windows, free with a full house wash
How a TrueWash house wash works
- Walk around the home We walk around the house first. We note what each wall is made of. We look for anything fragile before any water touches the house.
- Match the method to the siding Hardie board, painted wood, stucco and brick each need a different touch. Getting this right is what keeps your home safe.
- Protect your plants and things We wet your plants before we start. We control where the water runs. We move or cover outdoor furniture, lights and electronics.
- Apply the cleaning solution We spray a cleaning solution made for each surface at low pressure. It kills mold, mildew and algae at the root. It does not just push the stain around.
- Gentle rinse We rinse at low pressure, about like a heavy rain. Water does not get forced behind siding or under trim.
- Clean the outside windows We clean the outside glass as part of every full house wash. There is no extra charge.
- Check every side We look at every side again. We touch up any spot that needs a second pass. We rinse your plants one more time.
- Final walk You check the result with us. If you are away, we send you photos of every side.
Why we never use high pressure on siding
High pressure is the fastest way to damage a home. It can strip paint and gouge soft wood. It can crack the corners of Hardie siding. It can force water behind siding, where mold grows. On older downtown homes and beach homes, the repair can cost far more than the wash.
So we soft wash houses. That means low pressure plus the right cleaning solution. The mold dies at the root, the paint stays safe, and the clean lasts longer. Want to know more about the method? Read about soft washing. We save strong spray for concrete, like driveways and patios. That is a separate service.
What does a house wash cost?
Here is what most Charleston homes pay for a full house wash. The price covers the whole outside of the house. It includes the outside windows.
- Under 2,000 sq ft: $500 to $675
- 2,000 to 3,000 sq ft: $600 to $800
- 3,000 to 4,000 sq ft: $700 to $950
- Over 4,000 sq ft: $900 to $1,500
Island and raised beach homes run higher. Homes with three stories, big porches or heavy growth can cost more. We give you an exact price after a quick visit to your home. The price we quote is the price you pay. For more detail, read how much house washing costs.
Who this service is best for
- Higher-end homes
- Waterfront and island homes
- Homes about to go on the market
- Homes with heavy shade or dark spots
- Homes with cedar, Ipe or older paint
- People who want clear updates from the crew
A recent Charleston house wash
This is a coastal home on Sullivan’s Island. It has grey lap siding and white window trim. The glass and sills had a green film of algae and mildew. Dirt had settled into the trim. We soft washed the siding and trim at low pressure. The cleaning solution made the growth lift off instead of smear. Then we finished the outside glass by hand. Now the glass is clear and the trim is bright. The paint and seals were not harmed.
- Location
- Sullivan’s Island
- Property
- Two-story coastal home with grey lap siding and white trim around the windows
- Challenge
- Green film of algae and mildew on the glass, window grids and sills. Dirt in the trim.
- Approach
- We wet the plants first. Then we soft washed the siding and trim at low pressure. We let the cleaning solution sit so the growth came loose on its own. We did not scrub. We rinsed the outside glass and finished it by hand. We never sprayed the window frames, paint or seals.
- Result
- Clear glass and clean, bright trim. The paint and seals were not harmed.
Before and after
“So glad to have found the BEST exterior cleaning company in the Lowcountry! TrueWash made our white house and extensive porches shine. Charlie has a tremendous work ethic and doesn’t stop until the job is done!”
Why homeowners trust TrueWash
- $2 million liability insurance
- No high pressure on siding, ever
- Clear updates before, during and after the job
- Photos of every side when we finish
- 5.0 from 54 Google reviews
- 100% satisfaction guarantee
House washing FAQ
- How much does house washing cost in Charleston?
- Most homes under 2,000 sq ft cost $500 to $675. Homes from 2,000 to 3,000 sq ft cost $600 to $800. Homes from 3,000 to 4,000 sq ft cost $700 to $950. Homes over 4,000 sq ft cost $900 to $1,500. Homes with three stories can cost more. Outside windows are included. We give you an exact price after a quick visit.
- How often should a Charleston home be washed?
- Most Charleston homes look their best with a wash once a year. Homes with lots of shade or trees may need it every 6 to 9 months. So may homes close to the water. Mold and salt come back faster there.
- Is a house wash safe for Hardie siding?
- Yes. Makers of fiber cement siding point to low pressure for cleaning. High pressure can push water behind the boards and harm the finish. We match the cleaning solution and pressure to each surface.
- Will a house wash hurt my plants?
- We protect your plants on every job. We wet the plant beds before we start. We rinse them during and after the wash. We also control where the water runs. Tell us about any special plants, and we will take extra care.
- Does a house wash remove mold and algae?
- Yes. Our soft wash kills mold, mildew and algae at the root. It does not just blast off the top layer. That is why the clean lasts longer than a pressure-only wash.
- How long does a house wash take?
- Most homes are done in one day. Time depends on the size and height of the home. It also depends on how much buildup there is. We tell you the time window when we give you your price.
- Do I need to be home during the wash?
- No. We just need an outside spigot and a way through any gates. We can finish the wash while you are out. Then we send you photos of every side.
- Do you clean the windows too?
- Yes. Outside window cleaning is free with every full house wash. We clean the outside of the glass only. We do not book window cleaning on its own.
- Do you wash waterfront homes?
- Yes. Much of our work is on coastal and waterfront homes around Charleston. That includes tall homes on Isle of Palms and Sullivan's Island. Salt in the air there makes a regular wash worth it.
Related services
Where we wash houses
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Ready for a clean house?
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