Cleaning with a pressure washer offers an easy way to remove years of built-up grime, grease, and dirt. If you’re using the right kind of cleaner, your outdoor surfaces will be just as clean as those you find inside your home.
Cleaning with a pressure washer can be done in different ways, depending on the type of surface. Before using a pressure washer, it’s a good idea to become familiar with the safety precautions and ensure your cleaning product is compatible with the material being cleaned. Here are ten things you might have in or around your home that can be easily cleaned with a pressure washer:
Siding/Fencing
Cleaning the exterior of your home with a pressure washer is a great way to remove dirt and mildew from wooden shingles or siding, as well as the grime buildup on iron fencing. Start by checking that you have a compatible cleaner for your siding before beginning. You should never use bleach or other harsh chemicals on wood surfaces as they can damage the color and structure of your siding.
Driveways
If you want to prevent seeds from taking hold in cracks and crevices between pavers, driveways present a great opportunity to clean with a pressure washer. You’ll be amazed at the difference the right pressure washer makes. You can use an all-purpose cleaning solution or just water to remove stains, mildew, and algae from even the smallest cracks between pavers.
Decks
The deck is another area that can benefit greatly from a pressure washer when it comes time to clean. Most people will wait until the deck has turned gray with all the dirt that has collected over time. Not only does this eliminate any beauty your deck once had, but it also creates a real safety hazard by leaving large areas of slippery wood for children and pets to navigate on. A pressure washer will safely remove ingrained dirt while cleaning out cracks between boards to help prevent mold and mildew from growing and causing damage to your deck.
Vehicles
If your car requires some TLC, a pressure washer might be just the tool you’re looking for. It can be used to remove dirt and debris that has collected on exterior surfaces such as the roof, doors, engine hood, wheels, and bumpers. Most cars will come clean under normal water pressure without the need for any soap or chemicals being added. You can also use a car cleaning brush with your pressure washer to remove tough dirt stuck in all those hard-to-reach places.
Patios/Walkways
Pressure washing patio furniture, walkways, and walls are great ways to create a clean outdoor space. Using the surface’s natural drainage helps prevent water from pooling and causing puddles that can be extremely slippery for children, pets, and guests. Even the smallest cracks will be washed out with a pressure washer providing an even sound footing for people to enjoy their patio or yard without worrying about anyone slipping over.
Outdoor Grills
A new BBQ grill can give you many years of outdoor cooking pleasure before it begins to look worn and dirty with use. The grates on your grill present the perfect place for food particles to get stuck, along with burnt-on grease that has leaked down over time. If you don’t want to spend hours scrubbing your grill with a brush, a pressure washer with the proper cleaning solution can easily solve your problem in a matter of minutes. You’ll have to clean the outside of your BBQ as well to remove any grease buildup that could pose a fire hazard.
Garages
When was the last time you took the time to look closely at what’s hanging on your garage walls? You might be surprised to find cobwebs or dirt and grime that has collected over time. If this dirt was allowed to remain, it could lead to permanent damage, especially rusting. Using a pressure washer is the best way to remove years of built-up grime without risking any damage to paint or other surfaces.
Siding
The exterior of your home will benefit significantly from a pressure washer with the right attachment. As time goes by, dirt and debris find their way into every crack and crevice around windows and doors, creating mold and mildew that thrives in dark, moist areas such as these. By using the correct nozzle, you can easily remove mold and dirt from these areas without risk of damaging the paint or siding on your home.
Windows
We all know how frustrating it can be to remove hard water spots, soap scum, and other unsightly stains from our windows. It takes a lot of time and elbow grease using a squeegee and cleaner to get everything off, not to mention the streaks that are left behind. A pressure washer is just what you need to remove these tough spots without having to work so hard, saving your time and energy for something more enjoyable.
Decorative Panels
Some homes can benefit from decorative panels on either side of their garage doors or gates leading to the backyard. These panels can be made of a solid material such as wood, or they may come in wrought iron designs with decorative twists and turns. Either way, dirt and debris will eventually find their way into these areas, creating unsightly stains that are difficult to remove without expensive professional cleaners. A pressure washer with the right nozzle is all you need to remove these stains without having to climb up on your gate or garage door.
Before you use your pressure washer for the first time, be sure that it’s securely attached to the spray wand and that it is turned off when connecting or disconnecting from a garden hose. Once attached, ensure that the trigger lock button is engaged and that the trigger is not pressed. After you’re finished using your pressure washer, turn it off and wait until all moving parts have completely stopped before disconnecting from the water source.
Many people make the mistake of disconnecting their pressure washer while it’s still running or pressing down on the spray gun trigger. Doing either of these things can result in severe injury and is simply unsafe. It’s also a good idea to disconnect your pressure washer from the water supply before changing nozzles or cleaning it with soap and water inside.
