Trusted by Iowans since 1969

House Washing in Des Moines, Iowa

We safely remove mold, mildew, algae, and grime from your home’s siding. Our soft washing process restores your home’s exterior without damaging it.

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How It Works

A red Larry's truck with a soft washing trailer in a residential neighborhood.

Why Homeowners Choose Larry’s

Trusted Since 1969

When you hire Larry’s you’re trusting us with your home, and we don’t take that lightly. Central Iowa homeowners have trusted us with their homes for over five decades. Many stay with us for years because we show up when scheduled, do the work to a high standard, and stand behind it.

Fully Insured & Bonded

We carry $1 million in general liability coverage and a $5 million umbrella policy on top of that. Our crews are also covered by workers’ compensation, which matters more than most homeowners realize. If an uninsured crew is injured on your property, you can be held liable. With Larry’s that risk is fully covered.

We Work Around Your Schedule

With 20+ crews serving the metro, we have the capacity to get you on the schedule fast. You get an exact quoted price upfront, and we’ll work around your schedule so the job gets done without getting in your way.

Uncompromising Quality

Every house wash is backed by our satisfaction guarantee — if it’s not right, we’ll make it right. Our crews are professionally trained in soft washing techniques, ensuring your home’s exterior is deeply cleaned without the risk of damage.

Our House Washing Approach

Soft washing is a cleaning method combining low-pressure water with professional grade cleaning solutions to gently and safely remove algae, mold, mildew, and grime from your home’s exterior.

No Damage to Your Home

Low-pressure soft washing cleans your home’s exterior effectively and safely, protecting delicate materials like vinyl siding, stucco, wood, and brick.

Mold, Algae & Grime Removal

Soft washing removes contaminants at the root. In Iowa, mold and algae growth is most common on north-facing exterior surfaces where shade and moisture accumulate. This method keeps your home cleaner 4-6x longer than traditional pressure washing.

Avoid Expensive Repairs

Left untreated, algae, mold, and moisture penetrate your home’s exterior. This can damage the structure underneath and turn a simple cleaning bill into a costly home repair bill.

Restore Your Home’s Curb Appeal

Iowa weather gradually dulls even the best kept homes. A professional soft wash restores your exterior to its original appearance and the difference is immediate.

Perfect Prep Before Painting

Painting over dirt, mold, or chalky oxidation prevents proper adhesion, causing paint to peel and bubble prematurely. Soft washing ensures a clean surface so your paint job looks better and lasts longer.

Need your windows cleaned too? Explore our residential services →

A Larry's employee cleaning the siding of a residential home in Waukee, Iowa.

House Washing FAQ

Pricing is based on your home’s size and the extent of cleaning required. Request a quote and we’ll get you an exact number after our visit.

Most Iowa homes benefit from a soft wash every one to two years. Homes with significant shade on the north side accumulate mold and other organic growth faster than sun-exposed sides and may need more frequent attention. If you’re unsure, start with every two years and adjust as needed.

No. House washing is entirely exterior work. We’ll complete the job and email your invoice when we’re done.

Close all windows and doors before we start. This keeps the cleaning solution out of your home. If you have patio furniture, cushions, or potted plants close to the siding, move them out of the work area to avoid contact with the cleaning solution. Keep pets inside during the service. We’ll handle everything else.

It depends on the rain. The soft wash solution needs time to dwell on the surface before rinsing. Heavy rain during application can dilute it before it’s had a chance to work. Light rain after the solution has dwelled is less of a concern. We monitor forecasts and will reach out if conditions require rescheduling. Iowa weather being what it is, we’d rather reschedule and do the job right.

Most homes take between two and four hours depending on size and the level of buildup. We can give you a better estimate when we come out for your quote.

When done correctly, no. Before any cleaning solution is applied, we pre-wet surrounding plants and soil. This dilutes any overspray that reaches foliage and reduces the likelihood of chemicals absorbing into the root zone. We rinse plants again after the work is complete. Plants with shallow root systems or delicate leaves are more sensitive than others. If you have any specific landscaping concerns, let us know before we start and we’ll take extra precautions.

Whether you’re having both services done in the same visit or scheduling them separately, the order is the same: house washing first, window cleaning second. Soft wash runoff can leave residue on clean glass, so we always wait until the house wash is fully complete before moving on to the windows.

Customer Testimonials

Proudly Serving Greater
Des Moines

Most of our customers are near Des Moines — chances are we’re already in your neighborhood.

  • Altoona
  • Ames
  • Ankeny
  • Bondurant
  • Clive
  • Des Moines
  • Grimes
  • Johnston
  • Norwalk
  • Panora
  • Pleasant Hill
  • Polk City
  • Sun Valley
  • Urbandale
  • Waukee
  • West Des Moines
  • Windsor Heights
  • & Surrounding Areas

Ready for A Cleaner Home Exterior?

We’ll handle the equipment, the labor, and the hard-to-reach areas so you don’t have to. Request a free, no-obligation quote today.