Excel Soft Wash
Many property owners assume exterior cleaning is simply a matter of spraying water on a surface. John Miller, owner of Excel Soft Wash in Goshen, says that is one of the biggest misconceptions he encounters.
“It is not about the pressure,” Miller says. “It’s about putting on the correct solutions that break algae, mildew, rust, oil, grease, grime and more loose, and then using the right techniques to rinse and fully complete the job. It is important to kill all spores, remove oxidation and rinse it off with low-pressure water.”
Founded in 2023, Excel Soft Wash serves residential, commercial, industrial and municipal customers, specializing in soft washing, a cleaning process that uses 100% biodegradable solutions and surfactants and rinses with low-pressure water to remove contaminants.
Unlike traditional pressure washing, which relies heavily on force, soft washing focuses on treating the source of the problem. According to Miller, excessive pressure can sometimes force water behind siding and other surfaces, potentially creating additional issues.
“When water is forced behind siding and soffits, it can lead to mold growth inside the walls,” John says. “In many cases, this creates not only structural damage but also health risks, as mold can make people sick. Once mold becomes an issue, homeowners often face the added expense of installing mold ventilation systems to address the problem.”
Soft washing uses soaps and surfactants to kill algae, mildew, fungus and other organic growth and to loosen stains and contaminants before rinsing. The result is a more thorough cleaning that often lasts three to four times longer than cleaning with water alone.
“We kill everything, including fungus,” Miller says. “Water doesn’t take off rust. Water doesn’t take off grease. Water doesn’t take off oxidation and more.”
Educating customers about the difference between soft washing and pressure washing has become one of Miller’s primary goals. Different stains require different solutions, whether addressing rust, grease, smoke damage, oxidation, algae or mildew. Specialized metering systems allow him to control the strength and application of cleaning solutions based on each project’s needs. He can pull a specific percentage of water, soaps, surfactants and chemicals as needed.
“The reason we’re insured and licensed is that we’re carrying hazmat materials on some of our jobs,” John says. “Every job is different. We have surfactants to break down chemicals. We can adjust our meters to meet the needs of each job. All states require a license for any business that transports and applies chemicals that require hazmat placards.”
Miller spends considerable time evaluating surfaces and determining which products and techniques will produce the safest and most effective outcome. Understanding the differences between stains, surfaces and contaminants is a major part of achieving successful results.
One area where soft washing can make a significant difference is oxidation removal. Many homeowners assume faded siding, chalky surfaces, dull gutters and soffits must be replaced when the real issue is oxidation caused by years of exposure to sunlight, moisture and weather.
Miller says many surfaces can often be restored when the proper products and techniques are used.
“People have got to see the before-and-after results,” he says. “I get comments all the time. People ask, ‘Did you guys get new siding?’”
In many cases, the answer is no. The siding was simply restored by removing oxidation, algae and environmental buildup that had accumulated over time.
Restoration projects are among the most rewarding aspects of Miller’s work. Homeowners often assume replacement is necessary when oxidation, algae or environmental buildup have simply concealed a surface’s original appearance. Once cleaned, many discover they can significantly improve their property’s appearance without the expense of replacement.
Algae growth is another common issue throughout Northern Indiana, particularly around lakes, wooded areas and shaded properties. Buildings are constantly exposed to airborne spores, moisture and organic growth. Areas that receive limited sunlight often become ideal environments for algae and mildew to thrive.
“God gave us an immune system,” he says. “A building has not been given an immune system.”
That reality is one reason he encourages routine maintenance. The longer algae, mildew and stains remain untreated, the more difficult and costly they become to remove.
The same principle applies to roofs. Many homeowners view black roof streaks as a cosmetic issue, but Miller believes algae growth can contribute to long-term deterioration if left untreated.
“Algae roots grow deeper the longer they’re left untreated,” he explains.
Regular maintenance not only improves appearance but also helps extend the life of exterior materials by removing contaminants before they become deeply embedded.
Excel Soft Wash provides cleaning services for roofs, siding, gutters, soffits, patios, fences, driveways, sidewalks, stamped concrete and other exterior surfaces. Oxidation removal on gutters and soffits remains one of the company’s most requested services because oxidation often causes white surfaces to fade to a gray appearance.
Commercial services represent another significant portion of the company’s work. Excel Soft Wash cleans concrete, gas stations, canopies, bank drive-throughs, restaurant dumpster pads, storefronts, industrial facilities and other commercial properties.
Miller has worked with businesses, government and city organizations throughout Indiana and Michigan, including WNDU NewsCenter 16, ENTECH, JOMAR, Gallops Truck Stops and more. He has also served the City of South Bend, cleaning up graffiti on city walls and bridges. He preps all projects for Lumber Coating Specialties and maintains the exterior of Middlebury’s Creamery on Main/14th Street Barbeque restaurant. Miller’s work has also included the restoration of gravestones, and most recently, he has added solar cleaning to his projects. He will soon seek full licensing to be certified to clean government solar panel fields.
Commercial projects often present unique challenges because businesses need to remain accessible to customers and employees. To minimize disruptions, many projects are scheduled during evenings, overnight hours or other times when facilities are less busy or closed.
Miller understands that commercial properties often serve as the public face of a business. Clean sidewalks, drive-through lanes, entrances and building exteriors can contribute to a positive first impression for customers while also helping maintain a property’s professional appearance.
Municipal projects require attention to both appearance and safety, particularly where algae and other slippery organic growth can create hazards.
Miller also works with homeowners and real estate professionals to prepare properties for sale. He believes exterior appearance can help create a positive first impression before potential buyers ever step inside.
“If everything’s clean when there’s a showing, the buyer is going to know these people cared for their house,” he says.
Miller believes a clean exterior helps convey that a property has been well maintained before buyers ever step inside.
Miller also believes reputation remains one of a business’s most valuable assets.
“A good reputation is better than anything,” he says. “People will judge you by your reputation before they’ll judge you based on somebody else talking bad about you.”
That philosophy has helped Excel Soft Wash grow through referrals and word-of-mouth recommendations.
“I believe if you do good work, you’ll never be without work,” Miller says.
Miller continues to study new products, techniques and equipment, believing education is essential in an industry that constantly evolves. One innovative tool John uses is an app that assists with providing quotes over the phone or online.
“When customers call for a quote, I can use satellite technology to measure buildings, driveways and more to get the square footage to provide my customers with a quick and very close estimate.”
Previous customers appreciate how quickly John gets back to them.
His commitment to learning is reflected in one of his favorite sayings: “Failure is just another way to learn how to do something right.” He approaches challenges with the belief that growth requires action.
As he often says, “Fear has killed more dreams than failure ever did.”
Community service is another area where Miller’s values shine through.
The first week of every month, Excel Soft Wash has a drawing for a free house wash for someone who has recently lost a spouse. This is one small way Miller feels he can support people facing difficult circumstances. He encourages the community to contact him if they know of a widow or widower who could benefit from the program.
Miller feels that the world needs more people giving back to others.
Miller is grateful for the support he has received from customers throughout the region.
“It’s such a blessing from God,” he says. “I want to thank the entire community for trusting Excel Soft Wash, and I look forward to seeing each customer again for a future cleaning.”
Miller repeatedly emphasizes the importance of taking pride in every project and delivering results customers can trust. Whether cleaning a residential roof, restoring oxidized siding or completing a commercial project overnight, he believes the same principles apply.
“If you do something, do it right or don’t do it at all.”
He also believes that if you are working on something you really care about, you do not have to be pushed; the vision pulls you. Another philosophy of Miller’s is that opportunities do not happen; you create them, and if you can dream it, you can do it.
For Miller, commitment to continual learning is closely tied to the science behind soft washing. He believes many people still assume exterior cleaning is simply a matter of buying a pressure washer and spraying a surface until it looks clean.
In reality, he says, successful cleaning depends on understanding chemistry, stain identification, dwell times, water flow and proper rinsing techniques.
“Pressure is actually one of the least important parts of what we do,” Miller says. “The solution has to do the work first.”
A house covered with algae requires a different treatment than a restaurant dumpster pad coated with grease. Rust stains require a different approach than oxidation on vinyl siding. Even two homes in the same neighborhood may require different solution strengths depending on the surfaces’ age, the severity of staining and environmental conditions.
That attention to detail is what Miller believes separates professional soft washing from traditional pressure washing. Instead of relying on force to blast contaminants away, soft washing focuses on breaking down and eliminating the source of the problem before rinsing it away with low-pressure water.
“The goal is not just to make it look clean for a week,” he says. “The goal is to clean it correctly.”
For Miller, that philosophy applies to every project, whether he is restoring oxidized siding, removing algae from a roof, cleaning a commercial property or preparing a home for sale. The process may vary from job to job, but the objective remains the same: identify the problem, use the proper products and achieve results without causing unnecessary damage to the surface being cleaned.
John says, “If you are worried about the cost of going after something in life, you should see the price of staying exactly where you are.”
John strongly feels that there is a difference between a job and work.
“A job is where you punch in for somebody on their time, but work,” he says, “is something that is inside of you — something no person can take from you.”
John also says he still believes in a firm handshake, trust, hard work and honesty in both relationships and business.
Each of John’s beliefs and philosophies continues to guide Excel Soft Wash as it serves homeowners, businesses and communities throughout Northern Indiana and southwest Michigan.
Contact Information
Excel Soft Wash
John Miller
574-596-9240
