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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
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.
Best Pressure Washer
Greenworks 3000 PSI Pressure Washer (2.0 GPM Max) with Foam Cannon
With a 25-foot cord and 10-inch never-flat wheels, Greenworks’ washer can reach just about every corner of your property. Read the review.
See ItDriveway
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
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
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
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
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.
Best Environmentally Safe Pressure Washer Soap
Simple Green Oxy Solve Total Outdoor Pressure Washer Cleaner
This effective, biodegradable hydrogen peroxide-based cleaner meets the standards of the EPA’s Safer Choice Program. Read the review.
See ItGarage Floor
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
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.
