16 Tips for Pressure Washing Around Your Home

If you’re looking for an easy way to quickly blast away all the mud and stains from your driveway, siding, and truck tires with one device, look no further than a pressure washer. Thanks to its ability to spray highly pressurized water (usually mixed with a cleaning solution) at the offending dirt or stain, a pressure washer can make your home’s exterior look brand new.

But before you start showering everything in sight, make sure you’re operating the pressure washer safely and knock out all those outside cleaning chores before lunchtime.

1. Know Your Pressure Washing Terms

Before you can choose the right pressure washer for the job or learn how to use a pressure washer, there are several terms to familiarize yourself with. Knowing these terms can make the entire job easier by deepening your understanding of how your pressure washer works.

• GPM: This refers to gallons per minute, or the amount of water moving through the pressure washer pump each minute.

• PSI: The pounds per square inch measures the force of the water coming out of the pressure washer nozzle.

• ECU: The total power of a pressure washer is measured in effective cleaning units, or ECUs, which is the GPM multiplied by PSI. ECUs can range from around 1,950 to 4,400 for light-duty models or up to 8,000 for medium-duty models.

• High-pressure hose: This hose connects the trigger handle to the pressure washer and can withstand the high pressure of the water coming from the pressure washer.

• Downstream injector: This part of the pressure washer adds your cleaning solution into the water before it flows out of the nozzle.

• Unloader: The unloader can help reduce pressure buildup or change the PSI.

• Turbo nozzle: A turbo nozzle, also called a rotary nozzle, is red and has a zero-degree spray angle that moves in a circle for powerful cleaning.

• Broom: A pressure washing broom can split one stream of pressurized water into two or three to clean a wider area.

• Soft wash: A soft wash is when you set the pressure washer to a low PSI and use a gentle nozzle plus a cleaning agent, like you would for cleaning before painting.

2. Choose the Right Tool

Pressure washers come in gas or electric models. When it comes to gas versus electric pressure washers, gas-powered washers deliver 2,000 to 2,800 PSI , and electric models put out 1,300 to 1,700. Because of this, gas washers are generally considered more powerful and can clean 10 times faster than electric models. That said, gas-powered washers are noisier and require more caution and care to not damage wood or other surfaces.

While you should pay attention to PSI when choosing a pressure washer, you should also check the washer’s water flow in gallons per minute. For instance, a machine with 5 GPM and 1,700 PSI will clean better than a machine with 4 GPM and 2,000 PSI. In addition, select a washer that will dispense cleaning solutions in addition to water. A little bit of chlorine can go a long way to clean concrete and prevent mold and mildew buildup.

3. Be Safe

Pressure washers are extremely powerful machines and can be dangerous if handled incorrectly. When operating a pressure washer, be sure to equip yourself with the following personal protective equipment (PPE):

• Goggles

• Face shield

• Mask or respirator

• Gloves

• Work boots

• Long sleeve, but not loose-sleeved, shirt

• Ear protection

• Waterproof suit or PVC rain pants

Before you turn the pressure washer on, make sure no one is around and potentially in the spray’s way. Additionally, grip the machine with two hands and be careful before you make any sudden movements.

4. Prep Properly

Some of the biggest pressure washing mistakes are from not prepping the machine and the area before starting the job. Make sure you have an adequate water supply. Otherwise, your pressure washer won’t be living up to its potential. Clear any items and debris that might get in the way of your cleaning spree—things like toys can easily get damaged if accidentally hit.

5. Protect Your Plants

Your rose garden might not look so rosy after it’s been hit with pressurized chlorine, so watch where you spray. Additionally, consider watering your plants before, during, and after you pressure wash, so any cleaning solution that hits them is diluted (dry leaves absorb cleaning solutions much easier than wet ones).

Absolutely do not try to save some time by using your pressure washer on your garden while you have it out. A pressure washer is not a hose and should never be directed toward any living thing. Keep these powerful tools away from plants, children, and pets. 

6. Cover the Surroundings

Aside from protecting your gardens, protect any other vulnerable items in the area you’ll be pressure washing. Move outdoor furniture and decor away from the patio you’re going to clean, and cover windows and doors with a tarp. You should still avoid spraying the pressure washer toward these covered spaces, but the tarp can help protect against accidental sprays.

7. Understand the Cleaning Solutions

There are many different types of cleaning solutions you can use with a pressure washer. Understanding the different cleaners and what they can be used on and for is imperative for achieving great results with your pressure washer.

• Vinegar: Safe and effective for most surfaces as a general cleaner

• Citric acid: Ideal for concrete and wood

• Oxalic acid: Excellent at removing rust

• Sodium hydroxide: Can break down grease, oil, and other lipids

• Potassium hydroxide: Used for mixing soft soaps

• Ammonia: Commonly used for exterior glass

• Bleach: Bleach should only be used to clean mold and mildew—it can corrode metal, kill plants, and remove color from clothing

When choosing a cleaning solution, don’t attempt to DIY your own concoction. Always follow product label instructions, and never mix bleach and vinegar because this creates poisonous chlorine gas.

8. Patch Any Broken Surfaces

No matter what surface you’re planning to wash—be it a brick wall, a concrete floor, or vinyl siding—do a survey of the area and note any cracks or holes in the surface. Repair these spots before you begin the washing process and give them the appropriate time to cure or dry, depending on the kind of repairs made. 

9. Fuel Up

Before you begin pressure washing, you’ll need the device to have the proper fuel or power supply. For electrical pressure washers with a cord, this is as easy as plugging the unit into an outdoor outlet. If you have an electric pressure washer with a battery, fully charge it before you start. For gas pressure washers, use a gas with less than 10% ethanol.

10. Start From a Distance and Take Your Time

Hitting any surface with a high-pressure shock of water can be intense, so ease your way into the washing. Start by washing from 10 feet away, and move in a little closer to the surface until the pressure is just enough to loosen and remove any grime. 

Taking your time will help ensure you end up with a quality result and that you stay safe while cleaning. If you rush, you could hurt yourself, damage your home, or just end up with a sub-par job that needs to be done again. 

11. Know Your Nozzles

There’s a reason your pressure washer comes with various nozzle tips—they handle different jobs. A wide nozzle is excellent for wood decks or your home’s siding. A more narrow nozzle can tackle the grime on brick and concrete. A 15-degree nozzle or less will dispense extremely high pressure and should only be used to get rid of stains on metal. Nozzle tips are universally color-coded to help you select the right one.

You should always use the lowest degree you can get away with for the material and stain you’re cleaning. Apply cleaning solution from the ground up, and then rinse from the top down without letting the cleaning solution dry.

12. Adjust the Spray Angle

To get the most power out of your washer, keep the nozzle perpendicular to the surface you’re cleaning. If you need to clean a difficult-to-access spot, like high-up siding, consider investing in a nozzle wand that pivots.

13. Keep Moving

If you pause in the middle of cleaning a section of pavement, siding, or other surface, the finished look could be streaky. Instead, keep moving the pressure washer until you reach the end of the surface, then pause if needed. If you do pause for longer than a couple of minutes, squeeze the pressure washer trigger so that the water can help cool the pressure washer pump and prevent it from overheating.

14. Know Your Limits

Some stains—like those from acorns, fertilizer, oil, and rust—are forever, and there’s not a lot you can do about it with DIY pressure washing. In addition, some big or high-up jobs require more tools than you might have on hand. Rather than overdoing it and risking damage to your home (or yourself!), consider calling in a local power washer to assess the situation; the cost to pressure wash a home ranges from $100 to $650.

15. Avoid Pressure Washing Certain Materials

There are several materials you should avoid pressure washing to prevent damage:

• Surfaces painted before 1978, when the U.S. government banned lead-based paints

• Electrical fixtures, such as meters or lighting

• Windows or other glass

• Roof shingles

• Gutter interiors

• Air conditioners

• Awnings or other shade coverings

Always test the area you plan to clean by pressure washing a small, hidden area on a lighter setting and from a distance. Call in the pros if you’re worried about whether your pressure washer will damage your siding or patio. The downsides of DIY pressure washing are that inexperience and confusion can lead to costly damage, so don’t hesitate to bring in an expert if you feel unsure.

16. Maintain Your Machine

Pressure washer maintenance is essential to keeping your machine up and running when you need it. Store your washer indoors during the off-season to prevent any weather-related damage. You can also winterize the machine by filling the pump with undiluted RV-grade antifreeze. After using the machine with any cleaning solution, be sure to run it a few times with just water to remove the cleaning solution—any chemicals left behind in the machine can damage the inner parts and shorten the lifespan of your pressure washer.