Doff cleaning is a very popular cleaning process and for good reason. It is one of the most effective cleaning techniques out there for cleaning stone, and so, anyone looking into exterior cleaning will likely have come across experts offering DOFF cleaning services.
But what is DOFF cleaning? If you're a little confused about what exactly a DOFF steam cleaning system is and what it could do for you and your property, here's what you need to know about the specialist cleaning process that our EMS Powerwash services provide.
No hassle, no obligation—just a fair price for top-quality cleaning.
The DOFF cleaning process was developed to gently clean stone and other materials using superheated steam. The DOFF machine itself uses water heated to about 150 degrees, which then creates superheated steam. Said steam is ejected out through a heatproof nozzle end and aimed at the wall that needs cleaning.
As the steam hits the surface it effortlessly cleans the substrate. Occasionally, some tough stains may require multiple applications, but the process is effective and efficient, using low water pressure so as not to cause any damage to the substrate.
The DOFF cleaning process can be used internally or externally and is safe for use across a vast range of surfaces.
By taking clean cold water and heating it up, the DOFF system creates a stream of superheated steam that it then pumps out at low pressure. By using low pressure and balancing the temperature and pressure, the DOFF steam cleaning method avoids causing thermal shock to the surfaces that it is cleaning. This is often a concern when power washing and cleaning surfaces like brick and concrete.
DOFF cleaning is a good method of stone cleaning that puts the health of the substrate first. By using low-pressure steam, it is able to remove any number of substances, including:
At EMS Powerwash, we offer expert cleaning services for homes and businesses across the East Midlands. Our team uses the best tools and techniques to make your property look brand new. No matter the job, we deliver reliable, high-quality results every time.
The DOFF system was created and invented by Stonehealth Limited. It was invented for use on delicate surfaces like English Heritage buildings and has quickly become one of the most common tools in the construction and cleaning trade.
The DOFF cleaning system is completely different to other steam cleaning methods because of the way it balances the superheated steam and low pressure. Other cleaning methods tend to rely on abrasion or cleaning products in order to successfully manage cleaning tasks.
The DOFF steam cleaning system is able to strip paint and varnish quickly and easily, it doesn't require a coating or cleaning product and there is no pre-treatment required, meaning fewer steps and a quicker process!
Pressure washing is a poor choice when it comes to stone cleaning methods. The high pressure water blasted onto the rock during pressure washing can chip, crack and cause all sorts of issues for the substrate.
Alternatively, because DOFF cleaning uses such low pressure, the DOFF system is significantly less risky as a cleaning method.
The two both require specialist cleaning equipment, but that is as far as they go in terms of similarities.
The first thing to consider if you're debating hiring EMS Powerwash's DOFF steam cleaning services is whether it is a suitable cleaning method for your property. The DOFF steam cleaning can be used on a vast number of external materials, including:
The DOFF cleaning system is also used indoors in certain industries. In fact, it makes a great industrial cleaning tool as once something has been cleaned it is completely sterilised. The high-temperature steam cleaning works wonderfully to effectively remove any bacteria, dirt, grime and everything in between (e.g graffiti removal) on both internal and external surfaces. Since the DOFF steam cleaning system sterilises the surface being cleaned, it is often considered to be ideal for hospitals, medical centres, classrooms and even kitchens and other food production sites.
By using the doff system, all sterilising cleaning jobs, be it brickwork, stone or interior DOFF steam cleaning are significantly quicker, easier, and run much less risk of leaving damage behind. The development of the DOFF cleaning systems has been a great aid in the restoration process. The kit is often used in concrete renovations to help remove biological matter, carbon etc without having to rely on the harsh chemicals of cleaning equipment and products.
Using DOFF, experts can remove harmful residue, foreign substances, algae moss, and carbon from walls, even when there is deep saturation. The DOFF integra system can even remove paint, cleaning graffiti from listed buildings.
Brick is a popular building material but it becomes brittle as it ages, and as a result making brick cleaning more difficult, it gets harder to clean safely. Pressure washing old, damaged brick can cause irregularities and further damage to the brickwork, leading to the property looking unkempt.
Just like brick, stone surfaces age poorly. Aged stone can become brittle and fragile, and this is seen often in listed buildings and historic buildings. Using pressure washing as a cleaning method on these surfaces would simply make the situation worse.
By using DOFF steam cleaning, the high temperatures will work to clean the impurities and pollutants off of the brick and the stone without causing any damage to the substrate at all. This means that you can take a damaged brick building and restore it completely with DOFF steam cleaning.
It may seem counterintuitive to use a water-based cleaning system on wood, after all, typically wood does not react well to moisture.
Wood is prone to organic growth, as it is a natural material. It is also prone to rust staining and discolouration. When we clean wood with the heated water and steam that the DOFF steam cleaning process relies upon, we can kill the organic growth and remove all organic spores, as well as the discolouration.
If desired, DOFF steam cleaning can even remove paint and varnish finish from wood.
Many businesses have strict cleaning requirements, especially as we continue to battle COVID. Trying to keep up with the necessary cleaning schedules without outside assistance can prove difficult, and adds additional tasks to the team's to-do lists.
With the help of DOFF steam cleaning, keeping on top of the cleanliness issue becomes so much simpler. Whether it's wards that need cleaning after a quarantine, the corridors of a hospital, a room in a care home, classrooms, swimming pools, industrial and commercial kitchens, or anything in between, an expert team can be a huge help.
The team will enter the space, and clean it with superheated steam, sterilising every surface and every nook and cranny. By the time they are done, the room will be completely free of bacteria and dirt, ready to continue to use.
There are a number of benefits to DOFF cleaning methods. If you're still not sold on the use of the DOFF system to help clear chewing gum, biological matter, or anything else off of your stone surfaces, swimming pools or interior surfaces, here's why DOFF cleaning is so popular.
The DOFF cleaning system is considered to be a very environmentally friendly cleaning technique. Where other cleaning methods use harsh chemicals to achieve their goals, DOFF does not. This means that any runoff is much safer than with other methods, thus making the process much gentler and less dangerous to the local environment.
In addition to this, the DOFF machine does not use much water because of the low-pressure washing technique. This results in a low carbon footprint, and saves on water in comparison to things like pressure washing or power washing.
The whole purpose of the DOFF cleaning systems was to create a system of concrete cleaning and stone cleaning that could be used on historical buildings and heritage sites. The DOFF cleaning technique is so gentle on the surface being cleaned that it can reliably be trusted to clean delicate surfaces without causing any damage.
The DOFF machine is silent when working meaning that the business or property can continue to be used as normal. This is great for businesses and places that use DOFF machines for internal cleaning, as it means that there is no downtime required except for in the area being cleaned, and for residential properties or buildings near homes, this is equally as beneficial.
Unwanted graffiti can completely ruin a building. Too often found at heritage sites, graffiti damage can be distracting and jarring. It can also be impossibly hard to remove. But with the help of the DOFF machines, graffiti damage is simply a thing of the past. The DOFF cleaning methods can remove paint of all sorts from concrete, brick and other surfaces making graffiti removal safer.
It is hard to find cleaning techniques for the removal of chewing gum, bitumen, oil and grease. These items are so sticky, so viscous that many people assume that once they're there, they're not going anywhere. But with the help of the DOFF cleaning techniques, all of these items and materials can be effortlessly cleaned away. The superheated steam makes an easy job of removing gum from pretty much any surface, where other cleaning systems simply cannot make it budge.
If you want to restore the original brick colour of a property and remove the paint that is sitting on top of it, DOFF cleaning is one easy way to achieve just that. You can rely on DOFF cleaning to remove paint from bricks, even old and fragile brick walls, returning them to their former glory.
The DOFF machine is designed to be extremely portable. This means that, using DOFF, our experts can clean surfaces at any height, and in any location. So long as we can set up safe rope access, the DOFF system can be used to clean almost any building!
This is especially important when it comes to English Heritage-listed buildings, as many of them are in remote locations and are particularly tall! Neither of those things matters anymore, not with the DOFF system.
By not using harsh chemicals, the DOFF system is much safer for use inside buildings than other cleaning techniques. This is especially true in places like classrooms and hospitals, as it will not leave any harmful or dangerous residues on the surfaces that have been cleaned.
No hassle, no obligation—just a fair price for top-quality cleaning.
If DOFF cleaning is essentially steam cleaning, can you do it yourself? Unfortunately, no. The DOFF system is one of a few specialist cleaning methods. The DOFF steam cleaning process involves dangerously high temperatures and specialist equipment that you must be trained to use. Trying to use the DOFF system cleaning equipment (the DOFF steam cleaner) without training would be unwise and could lead to injury.
Additionally, the DOFF Integra system is expensive and they are not available for rent or hire. If you're interested in the DOFF machines and cleaning, contact EMS Powerwash today.
To discuss DOFF cleaning and all of our wonderful services, contact EMS Powerwash today for a free quote and expert advice.
Doff cleaning is a steam-based cleaning system that uses high temperatures and low pressure to effectively clean various surfaces without causing damage. It's ideal for delicate materials like stone and brick.
Doff cleaning works by heating water to high temperatures and then applying it to surfaces at low pressure. This combination effectively removes dirt, grime, and biological matter without using harsh chemicals.
Yes, Doff cleaning is safe for historic buildings. The low pressure and high temperature ensure that delicate surfaces like old stone and brick are cleaned without damage, preserving their integrity.
The Doff system can clean various surfaces, including stone, brick, concrete, and tiles. It is particularly effective on materials that are sensitive to high pressure and harsh chemicals.
The cost of Doff cleaning varies depending on the size of the area and the extent of the cleaning required. Contact us for a free quote to get an accurate estimate based on your specific needs.
Yes, Doff cleaning can effectively remove graffiti. The high temperature of the steam helps to break down paint and other substances without damaging the underlying surface.
