A pressure washer is the best way to remove stains and mud from your truck tires, driveway and siding. A pressure washer’s ability to spray highly-pressurized water, usually mixed with cleaning solution, at the dirt or stain can make the exterior of your home look like new.

Before you begin cleaning the outside of your home, be sure to operate the pressure washer properly and complete all outdoor chores by lunchtime.

1. Select The Right Tool

Electric and gas powered pressure washers are available. Electric models produce 1,300-1,700 PSI on average. Gas-powered pressure washers can deliver up to 2,800 pounds per square inch. Gas washers can clean up to 10 times faster and are therefore considered more powerful than electric models. Gas-powered washers can be noisy and need more care and caution to avoid damaging wood or other surfaces.

When choosing a pressure wash, it is important to consider the PSI as well as the water flow rate in gallons/minute. A machine that has 5 GPM with 1,700 PSI is better at cleaning than one with 4 GPM with 2,000 PSI. Select a washer which will also dispense cleaning solution in addition to the water. It only takes a little chlorine to remove mold and mildew from concrete.

Power Washers and Pressure Washers

Although you might have heard the terms used interchangeably in the past, these machines are actually quite different. It’s important to note that pressure washing uses hot water, while power washing does not. This makes pressure cleaning a little more gentle for some surfaces.

Use power washers on durable materials such as concrete, stone and masonry. Hot, pressurized, hot water is a powerful tool for removing organic materials, such as mud from your driveway. Consider using a pressure cleaner for everything else.

2. Be Safe

When used incorrectly, pressure washers can be extremely dangerous. Wear goggles, gloves, boots, ear protection and long sleeves when operating a pressure washer.

Be sure that no one will be in the way of the spray before you start the machine. Be careful and hold the pressure washer with both hands. A pressure washer can cause damage to windows, doors, screens, overhangs and other surfaces. Consider waiting until the weather is calmer if it’s windy. Wind can cause the spray to be directed back at you.

3. Prepare Your Home Properly

If you don’t have enough water, your pressure cleaner won’t perform to its full potential. If you want to check the water pressure in your home, fill up a 5-gallon water bucket. If it takes more than two minutes, it might be too weak.

Also, make sure that all hoses and accessories are connected securely. Remove any debris or items that could get in your way during your cleaning session. Toys can be damaged easily if they are accidentally hit. You should consider both pressure washing and soft cleaning when it comes to restoring the shine to your home.

4. Protect Your Plants

Watch where you spray. Your rose garden may not look as rosy if it is hit with chlorine sprayed under pressure. Consider watering plants before, after, and during pressure washing to dilute any cleaning solution. (Dry leaves absorb cleaning agents much more easily than wet leaves).

Do not use your pressure washer to clean your garden. The pressure washer should not be used to wash anything living. These powerful tools should be kept away from children, pets, and plants.

5. Learn About Cleaning Solutions

You can use a variety of different cleaning solutions with your pressure washer. It is important to understand the different cleaning solutions and how they can be used.

  • Vinegar: Effective and safe for cleaning most surfaces.
  • Citric Acid: Ideal to concrete and wood.
  • Oxalic Acid: Excellent for removing rust.
  • Sodium Hydroxide: Can breakdown grease, oil and other lipids.
  • Potassium Hydroxide: Used to mix soft soaps.
  • Ammonia : Commonly Used for Exterior Glass.
  • Use Bleach Only to Clean Mold and Mildew: Bleach can damage metals, kill plants and remove the color of clothing.

6. Patch Any Broken Surfaces

Before you begin the washing process, inspect the surface and look for any cracks or holes. Fix these areas before beginning the washing process. Give them time to dry or cure, depending on what kind of repairs you made.

7. Start From A Distance And Take Your Time

It can be a shock to hit any surface with high-pressure water, so take your time. Wash from a distance of 10 feet and then move closer until you feel the pressure enough to remove the grime.

You will get a better result if you take your time. It also helps you to stay safe. You could end up hurting yourself or damaging your home if you hurry.

8. Nozzles: Know Your Nozzles

It’s for this reason that your pressure washer has different nozzle tips. They are designed to handle different tasks. The widest nozzle, around 40 degrees, is best for general cleaning and can be used to clean wood decks and siding on your home. A narrower, 25-degree, nozzle can be used on concrete and brick, while a nozzle of 15 degrees or less is only suitable for metal stains. The nozzle tips are color-coded so you can choose the correct one.

  • Use this nozzle only at a distance of ten feet or less.
  • Yellow: 15 degree angle. Used to prepare surfaces before painting, staining or resealing or to remove mud on tires.
  • Green: 25 degrees, good for masonry.
  • White: 40°; suitable for washing the exterior of your home.
  • Black: 65°; mild and used only to wet surfaces, not clean them.

Always use the lowest possible degree for the stain and material you are cleaning. Cleanse from the bottom up and rinse the solution down from the top without letting it dry.

9. The Spray Angle Can Be Adjusted

Keep the nozzle parallel to the surface that you are cleaning in order to get the maximum power from your washer. Consider investing in a pivoting nozzle wand if you have to reach a hard-to-reach area, such as high-up siding.

10. Know Your Limits

There are some stains that will never go away, such as those caused by acorns or fertilizer. You can’t do much about them with DIY pressure cleaning. Some jobs are too big or difficult to do with the tools you have. Avoid overdoing things and damaging your home or yourself. Consider hiring a local pressure washer for an assessment, especially for house washing in Auckland. The cost of pressure washing a house can range from $100 to $650.

11. Maintain Your Machine

You can store your washer inside during the off-season in order to avoid any damage caused by weather. Fill the pump with RV-grade RV antifreeze to winterize your machine. If you have used any cleaning solution on the machine, run it several times with only water. Any chemicals that remain in the machine will damage its inner workings and reduce the life of the pressure washer.