20+ Uses of a Pressure Washer. Several Tricks You Never Thought of Before.
A pressure washer is one of the most versatile tools you can own. They are great for everything from washing cars to cleaning windows, but can also be used for purposes you might not have considered before.
This blog post will explain what to look for when buying a pressure washer and show you 11 brilliant uses for this device. If, like me, you have rarely or never used one, I will also give you step-by-step instructions on how to use it. We will start with some simple tips that anyone can try at home!
First, a word of warning: pressure washers can be extremely powerful tools, especially if you use one of the more concentrated nozzles. Always start with the least intense nozzle on an area you are cleaning to avoid damaging the surface. If the cleaning is not satisfactory, switch to a more powerful nozzle. There are so many uses for pressure washers that will help you clean your home in no time!
As with any electrical equipment, it is important to keep children and pets away from the area you are cleaning to avoid them getting sprayed. Also, do not spray your skin with a pressure washer!
WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH A PRESSURE WASHER?
- WASHING FABRICS
Instead of using your washing machine, you can wash your fabrics with a pressure washer. You'll need water, soap, and bleach for this hack, so make sure to rinse thoroughly at the end of the process.
The types of fabrics you can wash with a pressure washer include outdoor rugs, outdoor cushions, and more.
Note that depending on your pressure washer, you may need to use the correct attachment for delicate fabrics. If in doubt, test a small area first! Pressure washers work best on tough surfaces like concrete, stone pavers, and wooden decks, so don't expect miracles if you're trying to remove stains from thin fabrics like cotton t-shirts.
Higher pressure will remove dirt, but it won't necessarily remove stubborn stains without wetting them further first. It's recommended to use a mixture of detergent and water to get the best possible clean.
CAUTION: Also use the pressure washer with caution on fabrics. If the pressure is too strong, you risk tearing the fabric.
- GARAGE FLOOR
Garage floors can get really dirty, and this is one of my favorite uses for a pressure washer. Your garage is an extension of your home, and if your garage is really dirty, then dirt, leaves, and debris are bound to end up in your home! It’s super easy to clean your garage regularly with this retractable pressure washer. I love mine!
- REFRESH CARPETS
After a long day of walking on them, your carpets will surely be dirty. You can use your pressure washer with a high-pressure nozzle (and a quality detergent) to spray all areas before vacuuming!
This works great with large rugs too! Remove them from your home to avoid getting the interior wet, and spray your rugs with your pressure washer. I recommend testing a corner of your rug before using it on the entire area to make sure it can handle the pressure cleaning. You don't want to ruin your rugs!
- OUTDOOR SHOWER
If you have an outdoor shower that has been neglected for too long, this trick will make it look like new again. Simply use your pressure washer to remove any dirt or debris, then scrub with soap and water.
- TIP FOR CLEANING WINDOW
Here's another tip if you don't have any other tools or materials. You can still do the job! All you need is a pressure washer and water.
Simply spray the window with your pressure washer, then use paper towels or rags to wipe away the dirt! Start with a low pressure to test how your windows will hold up, then increase the pressure if necessary.
- CLEANING GRILLS
For grimy grills, all you need is a pressure washer. Spray the grill until it's clean, then scrub it with soap and water.
- CLEANING WOODEN SURFACES
You don't want the wood surfaces in your home to get dirty too easily, do you? Use detergent on low pressure (or high if necessary), spray a layer of soap on the surface with your pressure washer, then use a cloth to wipe everything down.
- CARPET CLEANING
We've talked about carpets, but did you know that pressure washers work wonders on carpets too? As with other types of fabrics, simply spray a little detergent on your carpet, gently scrub with water, then wipe dry with paper towels or microfiber cloths.
- OUTDOOR FURNITURE
This is one of my favorite uses for a pressure washer! A pressure washer may be just what your patio furniture needs! Use warm, soapy water for this task (to avoid damaging the wood). Spray all surfaces until clean, then rinse well. Dry thoroughly afterwards to prevent bugs from settling on your clean furniture.
It is recommended to wash your patio furniture in the morning or evening. Cleaning your furniture in the middle of the afternoon under the sun can cause it to dry quickly, which can cause the wood to splinter. To avoid this, clean it when the sun is not too strong.
- CLEANING OR POLISHING FLOORS
If you have a pressure washer with nozzles, use it to get deep into the grooves of your hardwood floors and remove any old dirt or grime that has been sitting there for years!
Avoid doing this indoors, as it can damage delicate wood floors, but it works great for outdoor wood decks. Cleaning decks becomes much faster with a pressure washer.
- DEFROST YOUR WINDSHIELD
Have you ever wondered how professional car cleaners get cars so clean? They use a pressure washer! These machines work wonders on windshields, but be careful not to leave streaks from too much water.
Spray in one direction first, then rinse with water before repeating the process until all the frost is gone. Remember to start on low pressure!
- REMOVE OLD PAINT QUICKLY
By blasting water at high pressure onto an object, the paint peels off and separates from the surface, making it easy to remove.
- REMOVE CHEWING GUM
There’s nothing worse than trying to remove dried gum from a nice fabric with your fingernails! Simply dampen the area, place a cloth over it, and then use the pressure washer nozzle as if you were painting the surface. The combination of water and pressure should be enough to loosen the sticky residue so it comes off easily without damaging the material or spending hours on it.
- CLEANING STONE SURFACES
Stone is porous and absorbs dirt, making it difficult to remove stains unless they are still fresh (e.g. red wine). A pressure washer effectively removes embedded dirt and stains.
- EXTERIOR AND CONCRETE DRIVEWAYS
Pressure washers are great for cleaning driveways and concrete surfaces because they remove dirt without damaging the surface. If you’ve ever tried to wash a paved area with your garden hose, you know it’s impossible! It’s hard to reach all the little nooks and crannies, but with a pressure washer, that problem is solved.
- ELIMINATE MILDEW
You will sometimes find mildew growing on exterior walls in humid conditions, such as in rainy climates like Seattle or Portland. To prevent its growth, simply spray it with high-pressure water.
- CLEANING A DIRTY TERRACE UMBRELLA
You can clean your patio umbrella by spraying it down and then letting it dry in the sun. Umbrellas can easily get dirty and dusty, and a pressure washer makes this usually tedious task much easier.
- WASHING MUD OFF YOUR CAR
After a long journey through the countryside, your car can become very dirty. Sometimes the mud is so encrusted that a simple garden hose is not enough. In this case, you can use a pressure washer. This is the perfect solution for car enthusiasts who like to maintain their vehicle.
- REMOVE MILDEW FROM SIDEWALK
It’s not uncommon to see mildew and mold build up in humid climates, even on your driveway or sidewalks. Spraying it off with a pressure washer will have your sidewalks looking like new in minutes, and it’s extremely satisfying to watch!
- CLEANING THE EXTERIOR OF YOUR HOME
Homes go through a lot in protecting us from the elements. Take a minute to look at the exterior of your home and you'll probably see that it needs a good cleaning. A retractable pressure washer makes washing your exterior, whether it's brick, stucco, or any other material, infinitely easier.
- GETTING RID OF COBWEBS
Sometimes spiders like to set up shop in high places in your home, like on outdoor light fixtures or under eaves. A pressure washer can easily remove cobwebs without the need for a ladder!
- CLEANING OUT THE TRASH BINS
Garbage cans can get really gross, really quickly! But a pressure washer lets you clean those smelly trash cans without having to scrub them with a sponge. Simply spray the inside of the trash can (you can even add a little detergent if you like) and watch all the dirt and food scraps get washed away.
