EverGlow Exteriors · Des Moines House Washing · (515) 642-1986

House washing in Des Moines runs $250 to $450 for most homes, and the right way to do it is soft washing — low pressure, cleaning solution doing the work. That green tint creeping up your north-facing siding is Gloeocapsa magma and its algae cousins. Spray it with plain high pressure and it comes right back, because you only knocked off the surface layer. Soft washing kills the organism, so the clean lasts two to three times longer.

Iowa siding collects more than algae. Spring pollen leaves a yellow-green haze you stop noticing until it’s gone. Cottonwood fluff sticks to it in June. Sprinklers leave hard-water spots along the bottom courses. Spiders and wasps set up shop under the soffits. One wash handles all of it — vinyl, fiber cement, painted wood, brick, and stucco included.

What’s included in a soft wash house washing

• Full exterior soft wash: siding, soffits, fascia, and gutter faces
• Algae, mold, and mildew killed at the root — not just rinsed off
• Cobweb and wasp-nest knockdown under eaves and around lights
• Pollen and general grime film removed
• Plants and landscaping pre-soaked and rinsed for protection
• Final walkaround with you (or texted photos if you’re not home)

What does house washing cost in Des Moines?

Most homes in the metro land between $250 and $450. A single-story ranch sits at the low end. Two-story homes, walk-outs, and heavy algae push toward the top. Big custom builds in Kettlestone or the Governors District can go higher, but we’ll tell you the number before we touch a hose. The quote is free and usually takes one photo and five minutes.

Before and after: the north-side algae problem

How a soft wash works

1. Protect. We soak your plants, cover outlets and fixtures that need it, and close windows.
2. Apply. Cleaning solution goes on at roughly garden-hose pressure and dwells while it kills the growth.
3. Rinse. Everything comes off with a thorough low-pressure rinse, top to bottom. Landscaping gets a final fresh-water rinse too.

Serving the Des Moines metro

We wash houses across the metro — new builds in Prairie Trail fighting sprinkler spots, shaded lots along the Clive Greenbelt, older two-stories near Valley Junction. Find your town: Des Moines, West Des Moines, Waukee, Urbandale, Clive, Grimes, Ankeny, and Johnston.

Pairs well with: window cleaning (siding first, glass second — the right order), gutter cleaning, roof washing, deck washing, and driveway pressure washing.

House washing questions we get a lot

Why is only the north side of my house green?

Less sun. The north face stays damp longer after rain and dew, and algae loves damp. Iowa humidity does the rest. It’s the most common call we get, and it’s a one-visit fix.

Can pressure washing damage vinyl siding?

Yes — cracked panels, water forced behind the siding, stripped finish. That’s exactly why we soft wash houses instead. Low pressure, and the solution does the work.

How often should I have my house washed?

Every 1 to 2 years for most metro homes. Shaded lots — think mature-tree streets in Urbandale or backing to the Greenbelt in Clive — often need it annually. Because soft washing kills the algae instead of shaving it, the clean holds noticeably longer than a pressure-only wash.

Is the cleaning solution safe for my plants and pets?

Handled properly, yes. We pre-soak landscaping, rinse during and after, and use appropriate dilutions. Keep pets inside during the wash and everything’s fine once we’ve rinsed.

Do I need to be home?

No. Close your windows, leave the spigot on, unlock the gate. We’ll text photos when it’s done.

Kill the green for good

Free quote, usually same-week scheduling. Most house washes are done in under three hours.