--- title: "8 Things You Can (and Should) Clean With a Pressure Washer" description: "Many homeowners buy pressure washers and use them once a year to clean one exterior area. We explain many things you can clean with a pressure washer." date: "2026-04-16" modified: "2026-04-16" authors: - name: "Jamie Birdwell-Branson" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.bobvila.com/authors/jamie-birdwell-branson-2.md" url: "https://www.bobvila.com/exterior/clean-with-pressure-washer/" categories: - "Cleaning & Organizing" - "DIY" - "Exterior" tags: - "cleaning" --- # 8 Things You Can (and Should) Clean With a Pressure Washer ![A person wearing yellow boots operates a pressure washer on a patio, creating water spray while surrounded by greenery on a bright day.]() *Photo: Virrage Images via Shutterstock* Whether you buy your own pressure washer or rent one from the local hardware store, it’s an undeniably powerful tool for removing built-up dirt and algae from your home's exterior and other outdoor surfaces. Before you use a pressure washer, however, always read the instructions carefully and use the appropriate nozzle for the job at hand. Ready to blast away debris? Point that nozzle at these items and exterior areas and areas for a quick, thorough clean. ## Exterior Siding ![Pressure washer nozzle sprays water at grey house siding, the pressure washer in the background.]() *Photo: Glenda Taylor for BobVila.com* If your vinyl siding is looking discolored or downright dingy, schedule an afternoon to [pressure-wash the house](). Be sure to adjust the pressure washer to a lower psi (pound-force per square inch) so you don’t. damage the siding. You can also pressure-wash wood or aluminum siding, but keep the pressure low to avoid denting aluminum siding or splintering or chipping paint off wood siding. Fiber cement siding manufacturers [do not recommend cleaning with a pressure washer](); try hosing it down instead. ## Driveway ![Shot of man from the waist down pressure washing a driveway with brick inset accents. A car visible in the background.]() *Photo: Glenda Taylor for BobVila.com* Sticky shoes, pounding rain, dripping automotive fluids, and dust kicked up from nearby roadways can leave the driveway dirty and mottled, and can over time actually weaken the surface. To get rid of accumulated dirt and oil, use a [pressure washer surface cleaner attachment](), and start cleaning at the top of the driveway and work your way down to the apron. ## Fences ![Pressure washing nozzle aims water at a weathered wooden fence.]() *Photo: Glenda Taylor for BobVila.com* An attractive wood or vinyl fence can really amp up your home's curb appeal, but as the years pile up that fence can collect a fair amount of mud, mildew, and algae. Whether you’re planning on putting your house on the market or you’re just looking to do a spring spruce-up, a pressure-washing can take years off your fence's appearance. Use a lower setting for softer woods to avoid splintering and other damage; hardwoods and vinyl can stand up to more pressure. ## Outdoor Furniture ![Man wearing jeans uses pressure washer to clean an Adirondack chair painted in blue and white.]() *Photo: Glenda Taylor for BobVila.com* If you don’t have the space to store your outdoor furniture in the garage or a shed over the winter, come springtime it's bound to look a little rough. Before barbecue season kicks into gear, reinvigorate your patio furniture with a pressure-washing at a low setting. Be sure to test a small, inconspicuous area first to ensure you don’t damage its paint or stain. ## Deck ![Cost to Power Wash a Deck]() *Photo: iStock Photo: istockphoto.com* Have dirt, dust, and debris diminished your deck's appeal? Pressure-washing can bring it back to life. [Maintain your deck]()'s appearance by cleaning it with a [pressure washer]() at a relatively low setting so as not to ruin the wood's surface. Settings from 500 to 1,200 psi will do, depending on the type of wood. ## Garbage Cans ![Man in grey shirt points pressure washer spray at a black outdoor trash bin.]() *Photo: Glenda Taylor for BobVila.com* While cleaning your garbage cans is a tempting task to put off, think about all of the leaks and debris that have caked the insides. Make quick work of the chore by using a pressure washer, ideally one with a scrub brush attachment, at a low setting. Lather the receptacles up with a good [pressure washer soap]() first, and then rinse it off. ## Garage Floor ![Person is pressure washing stained garage floor, spraying away water, on dirt.]() *Photo: ungvar via Adobe Stock* Even if you don't often tinker around in your garage, chances are its floor is spotted with oil stains and dirt that have built up over the years. Give the floor a good cleaning by using the pressure washer at a low setting to apply a degreasing solution. Let the solution sit for a few minutes (check the manufacturer's instructions), and then switch to a higher setting and rinse it off. ## Paths and Walkways ![Man uses a pressure washer to clean sidewalk between grass and gravelly areas.]() *Photo: Glenda Taylor for BobVila.com* Moss, algae, and dirt can make your once-tidy exterior paths and walkways look less than inviting to traverse. Before you spray them off with your pressure washer, protect any nearby plants with a tarp or other covering. ## Author Jamie Birdwell-Branson is a lifestyle writer who specializes in real estate, home decor, DIY, and travel. Her writing has appeared in numerous publications, including [Zillow.com](), [Elle Decor.com](), [Livability.com](), [Canadian Florist Magazine](), and more. She is an avid antiquer and likes to fill her vintage home with the treasures that she finds. ### Author social links [Twitter]() [Instagram]()