If you've got a garden, landscaping, or pets who spend time in the yard, it's a fair question to ask before booking any exterior cleaning: what's actually in the solution being sprayed around your home?

DIY pressure washing is common, and for the right surfaces, it's a fine option. Siding usually isn't one of them — here's why, and what the actual risk looks like.

There's no single answer that fits every home — but there is a real range, and a few factors that push you toward one end of it or the other.

If your siding has developed green or black streaking, it's tempting to assume it's just dirt that washed down unevenly. It's usually not — and knowing the difference changes how you should clean it.

Not every exterior surface should be cleaned the same way — and using the wrong method can actually damage your home instead of cleaning it. Here's the real difference between soft washing and pressure washing, and which one your home actually needs.

You searched for a price, so let's just get to it.