What’s the law regarding wearing PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) when soft washing?

It’s often said by some softwash contractors ,and occasionally by product suppliers , that very high concentrations of cleaning chemicals are acceptable as long as the correct Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is worn.

However, that isn’t how modern health and safety law works.

Under current UK and Irish health and safety legislation, PPE is intended to be used as a last line of defence in the hierarchy of risk control ,not as a substitute for safer working practices.

The regulations require that where risks to health and safety cannot be adequately controlled by other means, suitable PPE must be provided and used. This means the primary focus should always be on eliminating or reducing risk at source before relying on PPE.

In simple terms: PPE is necessary, but it does not justify unnecessary risk.

Risk mitigation in real-world soft washing

At Benz Softwash, we’ve spent many years testing and refining every variable involved in soft washing. From that experience, we’ve reached some clear conclusions about how risk can be reduced without compromising results.

One of the biggest risk factors in soft washing is the use of unnecessarily high concentrations of sodium hypochlorite (SH). Incidents such as burst hoses, failed fittings, or accidental splashes are rare — but when they do occur, the consequences are far more severe when high-strength solutions are involved.

From practical experience, we believe this risk is unjustified when the same cleaning results can be achieved using lower concentrations, such as those used in Benz Lightning Cleanze.

Exposure to a high-available-chlorine solution, particularly to the eyes, presents a serious hazard, regardless of PPE. Reducing chemical strength at source is therefore one of the most effective ways to reduce overall risk.

Safer methods achieve the same results

Accidents are already occurring within the exterior cleaning industry, and this is something everyone wants to avoid. While contractors and customers understandably want fast, visible results, taking unnecessary risks with health simply isn’t required.

Using lower, controlled chemical concentrations combined with correct application techniques delivers the same outcomes with a significantly reduced risk profile.

Likewise, reliance on high-pressure washing can often be reduced or eliminated entirely. Excessive pressure can damage render, concrete, and pointing, whereas skilled softwash application achieves consistent cleaning with far less mechanical force.

By placing customers onto a structured Clean & Maintain programme, aggressive cleaning methods are often no longer needed at all.

A practical, honest approach with customers

Ben often explains to customers that he could clean a property very quickly using high-pressure washing or dangerously strong chemicals. However, he also explains that the risks to his own health, his team, the customer, children, pets, and the property itself are simply too great.

When these risks are clearly explained, customers consistently understand the reasoning and are happy with the approach — particularly when the end result meets or exceeds expectations.

What this means in practice

This way of working has allowed Benz to build a sustainable business with more work than can reasonably be taken on, while operating safely and responsibly. There is no trade-off between professionalism, safety, and commercial success.

If one contractor can achieve this, the same principles can be applied across the industry.

We hope this overview of PPE, risk mitigation, and modern soft washing practices has been helpful and gives you confidence to work safely while delivering excellent results.

Wishing you all the best in your soft washing business,

Team Benz