Anyone who owns property knows the struggle of keeping the exterior looking decent, whether commercial or residential. Your brickwork gets grimey, the stone develops that green tinge, and don’t even get us started on what London’s polluting does a to a nice clean facade. At some point, a bucket and brush just won’t cut it.
That’s where specialist cleaning comes in. You might’ve heard people talk about DOFF steam cleaning and pressure washing as if they’re interchangeable, but they’re actually very different approaches.
One uses gentle, controlled steam to lift dirt without harming delicate surfaces, while the other blasts away with raw power. Both have their place, but use the wrong one and you could end up with a very expensive mistake on your hands.
What is DOFF Steam Cleaning?
DOFF steam cleaning is often described as the “gentle giant” of exterior cleaning. Instead of relying on brute force, it uses steam heated to around 150°C to coax the grime away. Because the pressure is kept low, the surface underneath isn’t damaged – making it a go-to choice for heritage buildings, older brickwork, or softer stone.
The heat from the steam gets right into all those tiny pores in brick and stone, killing off the moss and algae that love to set up camp there. But it does this without gouging chunks of your mortar or leaving your building looking like it’s been through a war zone.
There’s a reason English Heritage gives this method the thumbs up for historic buildings. When you’re dealing with a listed property or something with a bit of age on it, DOFF is often the only way to clean it without causing damage that’ll have the conservation officer breathing down your neck.
Round here in Camden, where you’ve got Victorian houses cheek by jowl with Georgian terraces and all sorts of converted industrial buildings, this gentler approach makes perfect sense. These old buildings have character – the last thing you want is to strip that away along with the dirt.
What is Pressure Washing?
Now pressure washing it a different beast entirely. It’s the no-nonsense approach – high pressure jets of cold water that’ll last pretty much anything off a surface if you give it enough time and force.
For the right job, it’s brilliant. Got a concrete driveway that’s seen better days? Patio slabs that are more green than grey? Pressure washing will sort that out in no time. It’s quick, it’s effective, and you’ll see results immediately.
The catch is that all that power can be a bit too much of a good thing. We’ve seen what happens when someone takes a pressure washer to old pointing or soft stone – it’s not pretty. You end up with mortar scattered around like confetti and brickwork that looks like it’s been sandblasted.
But for modern surfaces, or areas that get heavy use like pub beer gardens or busy walkways, pressure washing does exactly what it says on the tin. Sometimes you need that extra grunt to shift years of built-up grime.
What is the Difference Between DOFF Cleaning & Pressure Washing?
Although both DOFF steam cleaning and pressure washing are used to clean exterior surfaces, they work in very different ways. Here’s a side-by-side look at how they compare:
| Feature | DOFF Steam Cleaning | Pressure Washing |
|---|---|---|
| Water Pressure | Low (gentle on surfaces) | High (can be harsh on softer materials) |
| Temperature | Up to 150°C steam | Cold or lukewarm water |
| Best For | Heritage buildings, brickwork, stone, graffiti removal | Driveways, patios, decking, paving |
| Risk of Damage | Very low, safe for historic and delicate surfaces | Higher, especially on old mortar or softer stone |
| Environmental Impact | Minimal chemicals required | Often uses detergents and more water |
DOFF Steam Cleaning vs Pressure Washing: Cost
Let’s talk money, because that’s often what it comes down to in the end.
Pressure washing will generally cost you less upfront. The equipment’s more common, the job’s quicker, and you don’t need someone with specialist training to operate it safely.
DOFF cleaning will hit your wallet harder initially. The kit’s expensive, the process takes longer, and you really need someone who knows what they’re doing. But here’s the thing – if you’ve got a period property worth serious money, using the wrong cleaning method could cost you far more in repairs.
We’ve seen homeowners try to save a few quid by pressure washing old brickwork, only to end up spending thousands having the pointing redone afterwards. Sometimes the more expensive option is actually the economical one in the long run.
Which Method is Right for Your Property?
This really isn’t a one-size-fits-all situation.
If you’re dealing with a modern property – concrete surfaces, newer rendered walls, block paving – then pressure washing is probably your best shout. It’s cost-effective and gets results fast.
But if you’re lucky enough to live in one of Camden’s beautiful period properties, or anywhere with older brick and stonework, DOFF is worth the extra investment. And if your place is listed or in a conservation area, it might be the only option the authorities will accept.
The bottom line is this: both methods can transform a tired-looking building, but choose badly and you might end up wishing you’d just left well alone.
Whether your Camden property needs the gentle touch of DOFF steam cleaning or the robust approach of pressure washing, the key is getting the right advice from the start. We’ve worked on everything from Victorian terraces in Camden Town to modern developments in St Pancras, Georgian houses in Primrose Hill, and everything in between Kings Cross and Hampstead, so we’ve seen what works and what definitely doesn’t.
Need Your Home Exterior Cleaning?
Not sure which method suits your Camden home? Give our team a call – we’re always happy to have a look and point you in the right direction.