How Do I Clean an Exterior Building Without Damaging the Render?

David Whan • 9 November 2020

Try our new gentle but effective soft washing exterior cleaning

Exterior of house before and after soft washing

Render is the traditional method used to protect the exterior walls of a property, and it is applied much like plastering an interior wall. Usually we will paint it whatever colour we like, but then there is not much we can do other than slowly watch it deteriorate in condition. Natural weathering of render will discolour it, and also this aging process could enable cracks to appear and moisture to penetrate the brickwork of the property. This can therefore produce considerable problems when you come to clean the exterior walls.

Weathering of render is very hard to prevent, and so too is the erosion of the render. Discolouration of the render comes from carbon staining and sometimes also the growth of algae and possibly the ingress of insect nesting. The traditional reaction to this problem with exterior walls is to jetwash them, but this use of force and this overload of water can actually cause more damage, particularly if the render is in a poor state of deterioration. Of course, more water will penetrate cracks that already exist, and segments of render can be broken off by the significant power of the water jets.

So what is the answer?

And how do you clean the exterior walls of a property if the render is in a delicate state?

Soft washing is an alternative method of cleaning the exterior walls of your property, because it is a low-pressure system that is sympathetic to its condition and will not contribute to further erosion of the wall’s surface. But it will bring out the natural colour of the surface and the chemical mix used will prevent subsequent deterioration.

How does soft washing work?

Soft washing is a low-pressure washing system which achieves more effective results because it uses a unique and specially-created chemical blend. When applied to exterior surfaces, such as walls, steps and pathways, it can have transformational effects.

The special soft wash chemical mix is applied under low pressure and is a blend of specially developed ‘soft wash’ chemicals which treat organic and non-organic staining. The chemical blend treats the exterior surface through a four-stage process:

The unique chemical mix is left on the surface of the building for a period of time depending on the nature of the structure and the type of staining or growth that is evident.
The chemical mix is rinsed off with water, also under low pressure, which should remove any organic growth that has discoloured the surface.
Any more persistent stains will then be gently steamed using a Thermotech machine.
Finally, another wash is applied which neutralises any chemical residue left from the soft washing process and applies a finishing waxing soap, to slow down any re-colonisation of organic life on the building.

Cleaning your exterior walls without jet washing

Applying this process to the exterior walls of a property is effective in creating a long-lasting clean effect, whilst also leaving exterior render in the same state it was in before. The soft washing system is ruthless in how it attacks discoloration but it is sensitive to possible structural damage to the render, and so is the perfect system for cleaning an exterior wall without damaging the render.

It’s Clean are an accredited and authorised contractor for the use of the soft washing system, and we have the skills and knowledge to advise on how and where the system should be applied. Soft washing can be effective on all exterior surfaces and is an environmentally-friendly, cost-effective and practical alternative to jet washing exterior walls, because jet washing could cause further damage without even cleaning the walls effectively.

Contact It’s Clean today and we can discuss your exterior cleaning requirements.

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How Much Does Commercial Office Cleaning Cost in Yorkshire?

by info • 10 November 2026

When budgeting for office cleaning, it’s natural to want a clear idea of what you should expect to pay. Commercial office cleaning costs can vary depending on the size of your premises, the level of service required and how frequently cleaning takes place. It is also worth remembering that price is not the only consideration. Flexibility, reliability and reputation are all important considerations. Thinking about some of the factors that influence cost, a small office needing a few visits a week will have very different requirements from a large workplace with multiple washrooms, kitchens and shared spaces that need daily attention. It’s Clean Ltd is a long established cleaning company with teams operating across offices, business parks and workplaces in York, Leeds, Harrogate, Wetherby and the adjacent areas. We focus on a tight geographical area where our fully trained cleaners have an excellent reputation for service and experience. This means that we can offer much higher service standards than many companies and this is an important consideration for any business looking at the cost of commercial cleaning. Not all cleaning providers are equal and the service you receive can impact on the value you receive. What Influences Commercial Office Cleaning Costs? Having said all that, the biggest factor in determining commercial office cleaning cost is the amount of work required to maintain the premises. Floor area provides a useful starting point, but it doesn't tell the whole story. Two offices of a similar size can require very different levels of cleaning depending on how they are used. A busy office with high staff numbers, frequent visitors and shared facilities will generally need more attention than a quieter workplace. Kitchens and washrooms also require regular cleaning, while carpets, internal windows and other periodic tasks may need to be included separately. Cleaning frequency makes a difference, too. Daily cleaning involves more visits than a weekly service, but a regular contract allows work to be planned consistently around the needs of the business. The timing of the service can also affect the price. Some businesses need cleaning outside normal working hours to avoid disruption, while others prefer daytime cleaning. The most suitable arrangement will depend on how the workplace operates. How Are Office Cleaning Prices Calculated? There isn't one standard way to calculate office cleaning prices. Providers may charge by the hour, per visit or as an agreed weekly or monthly contract. Hourly rates can be useful for understanding the cost of the labour involved, while a fixed contract price makes it easier to budget for an ongoing service. The important point is to understand exactly what the quote covers. For regular cleaning, a written specification should set out which areas will be cleaned, how often tasks will be completed and whether equipment and cleaning products are included. Without this detail, two quotes may look comparable while offering quite different levels of service. It's also worth checking whether periodic work, such as carpet cleaning or deeper cleaning of particular areas, is included or charged separately. Understanding Contract Cleaning Costs For businesses in North and West Yorkshire looking for ongoing support, contract cleaning costs should be considered in terms of the service being delivered, rather than simply the headline price. A well-planned contract establishes clear expectations from the outset. The cleaning provider understands the premises and the client's priorities, while the business has a defined schedule and a consistent point of contact. This can also help avoid paying for unnecessary work or overlooking areas that require more frequent attention. As a business changes, its cleaning requirements may change with it, making regular communication with the provider important. Getting a Commercial Office Cleaning Quote in Yorkshire At It's Clean Ltd we understand that every workplace has different cleaning and budget requirements. We take the time to learn as much as we can about your premises and discuss the service you need before providing a tailored quotation. Serving businesses across Leeds, York, Harrogate, Wetherby, Ripon and the surrounding areas, we provide commercial cleaning solutions built around individual client requirements. If you are comparing commercial office cleaning costs in Yorkshire, the best starting point is a clear understanding of what your premises need and how often the work should be carried out. When we meet you, we can help you understand the added value in our quote and how we differ from other firms. Contact It's Clean Ltd to discuss your requirements or request a tailored commercial cleaning quote online. We'll help you identify a suitable cleaning arrangement for your workplace and budget.

Cleaning Offices in Manufacturing Environments: Why Experience Matters

by info • 4 November 2026

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Health and safety: Cleaning methods, equipment and products must be appropriate for the environment, with clear procedures for managing hazards and preventing risks to staff. Understanding these factors is an important part of delivering reliable industrial office cleaning. The Value of Experience in Industrial Office Cleaning Experienced commercial cleaning teams will understand the importance of working safely around busy environments, following site access procedures and communicating clearly with your staff. They’ll recognise that different areas of a site have different priorities and that the way a building operates should inform its cleaning schedule. For example, an administrative office located close to a production floor may require more frequent attention to floors, desks and high-contact surfaces than an office in a standalone commercial building. A staff kitchen used across several shifts may also need a different cleaning frequency from a meeting room used occasionally throughout the day. An experienced cleaning provider can assess these requirements and develop a schedule that reflects how the site actually operates, rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach. At It’s Clean Ltd, we recognise that every workplace has its own needs. Our approach to commercial cleaning for manufacturers focuses on understanding those needs and providing a service that fits around the business. Keeping Offices and Staff Facilities Clean Clean offices contribute to a professional working environment and help support the comfort and wellbeing of employees. Desks, workstations, door handles, light switches and other frequently touched surfaces can all benefit from regular cleaning. 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If you're looking for manufacturing office cleaning in North and West Yorkshire contact It’s Clean Ltd to discuss your requirements or request a tailored commercial cleaning quote online. We have teams working across key industrial sites around Leeds and York, including Poppleton, Pudsey, Guiseley and Yeadon.