DOFF Steam Cleaning Vs. Traditional Pressure Washing – And Why DOFF Wins

Cleaning the exteriors of large industrial, commercial, and historic properties effectively is no small – or easy – task. Choosing the right cleaning method for each building and surface type will dramatically change its appearance while potentially extending the lifespan of those surfaces. Two popular cleaning techniques widely used in the commercial cleaning industry for different cleaning tasks are DOFF steam cleaning and traditional pressure washing.

They may seem similar, but when you compare them, you’ll see a big difference in their performance, application, and long-term results. Let’s look at why DOFF steam cleaning outperforms traditional pressure washing on a range of cleaning tasks – and why heat, not pressure, wins the contest for delicate cleaning.

Understanding the cleaning basics

Before we get into the main differences between DOFF steam cleaning and power washing and the key details of how both cleaning methods work, let’s give you an overview of what each system is, what they do, and what they’re used for:

• DOFF Steam cleaning: This is a specialist low-pressure, high-temperature steam cleaning system. It’s a fast and effective way to clean delicate surfaces and remove organic matter and other pollutants.
• Traditional pressure washing: This method uses highly pressurised, usually cold, water to quickly blast away organic dirt, grime, and debris from hard surfaces.

How DOFF cleaning works

DOFF steam cleaning works by using heated water vapour of up to 150°C and gently and evenly applying it to a surface at low pressure, both of which are adjusted and set before cleaning begins. Being chemical-free, it’s environmentally friendly, uses only the combination of high temperature and low pressure, and causes no thermal shock or damage to delicate surfaces. The cleaning process is highly effective and involves:

• A controlled application of steam to break down dirt, grime, and contaminants
• Minimal water usage, eliminating the risk of water damage or saturation
• The safe removal of organic growth, including moss, fungus, and algae, as well as oil, grease, paint, tar, graffiti, chewing gum, and other pollutants.

How traditional pressure washing works

Standard pressure washing (or jet washing) systems use the brute force of high-pressure, hot or cold water at between 1,300-3,500 pounds per square inch (PSI) to dislodge dirt, grime, stains, mould, and other contaminants from hard surfaces. But while the high-pressure process can be excellent at many common cleaning tasks, it does come with some downsides, including:

• Often using more water, which can lead to waste and saturation
• Potentially stripping away protective surface coatings if not handled properly
• Potential damage to older, porous, or delicate building surfaces
• Moss, fungus, algae, or lichens potentially growing back

DOFF Steam cleaning and pressure washing – the main differences

So, while there’s already a fairly clear distinction between DOFF steam cleaning and traditional power washing, let’s look deeper into a number of the main differences in key areas and what really sets them apart from each other.

Surface sensitivity

One of the biggest and most important differences between DOFF steam cleaning and traditional pressure washing is their effect on surfaces. While pressure washing is great for durable materials like concrete or metal, the high water force used definitely isn’t the best choice for softer, older, or more sensitive materials, potentially causing irreparable damage.

In comparison, DOFF cleaning is designed to clean surfaces of those same durable materials together with more fragile materials, including delicate stonework or masonry, while causing no damage and still removing dirt, grease, or grime effectively. Because of this, DOFF is the preferred choice for heritage buildings with sensitive surfaces.

Heat vs. pressure

Traditional pressure washing relies on the sheer force of water pressure from its nozzle, which can reach up to 3,500 PSI. While this may often clean surfaces faster, its pressure will increase damage or erosion to delicate materials. It’s also less effective at deep cleaning biological matter, which means it might grow back more quickly.

But the effectiveness of DOFF steam cleaning is down to its low-pressure, high-temperature steam. The 150ºC vapour can break down all types of biological matter (while also preventing growth), grime, and pollutants on surfaces using a pressure of around 100 bar (1,450 PSI). This combination means there’s no risk of abrasion or other damage to any surface material.

The environment

Pressure washing often uses only cold water, but chemical cleaners and detergents can be added for a more effective clean on tougher stains like oil or grease. On top of that, this cleaning method uses a high volume of water. All of these combined lead to drainage runoff and potential pollution.

In contrast, DOFF steam cleaning is a far more environmentally friendly option. Because it uses high-temperature steam instead of chemicals, any environmental impact is instantly reduced with less water waste and no chemical runoff.

Application versatility

Any professional will know to use different tools for different jobs – and commercial and industrial cleaning is not different. And while playing to its strengths, pressure washing is a valid cleaning method that’s most effective on hard, durable surfaces, including metal, granite, marble, or concrete.

But DOFF steam cleaning is a much more versatile way to clean and can be used on a whole range of surfaces without causing damage. As well as cleaning those same hard and durable surfaces with ease, steam cleaning is ideal for sandstone, terracotta, wood, ceramic, plaster, and softer materials.

Choose DOFF steam cleaning from Prestige Professional

While traditional pressure washing can be super effective for heavy-duty applications on certain durable materials, DOFF steam cleaning wins out for versatility, surface protection, and environmental benefits. Its ability to clean effectively without damaging sensitive surfaces makes DOFF the preferred cleaning method for any properties that need careful cleaning or restoration, protection from regrowth, or are made from delicate materials.

Prestige Professional’s DOFF cleaning process gives the highest cleaning and maintenance standards, particularly for heritage buildings. As Stonehealth rosette-approved contractors, our team is highly skilled and experienced at cleaning and restoring the most challenging or delicate surfaces to strict guidelines for maximum safety and compliance.

For more information on our DOFF steam cleaning services, contact the Prestige Professional team today or call 01752 424873 or email info@prestigeprofessional.co.uk.