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You should avoid using a pressure washer on any surface or item that could be damaged by the high-pressure spray, as some materials are too delicate to withstand the force.

Key items and surfaces to avoid include:

• Electrical Components: Never pressure wash electrical systems, as water can cause short-circuits and create a safety hazard. This includes utility meters, breaker boxes, electrical outlets, generators, and HVAC or air conditioner units.

• Delicate and Fragile Materials: Fragile items can crack, shatter, or be stripped by the pressure. Avoid pressure washing windows, glass, light fixtures, shingled roofs (especially asphalt), and stucco.

• Painted, Stained, or Sealed Surfaces: Unless your goal is to strip the finish, do not pressure wash painted surfaces, stained wood (like decks), or anything with a protective seal that could be stripped away. Be especially cautious with older surfaces that may contain lead paint.

• Soft Woods and Certain Decking: Delicate surfaces like softwood, composite decking, and antique or wooden patio furniture can be etched or damaged. If you must wash wood, use a lower-powered pressure washer with a wide-angle nozzle to prevent damage.

• Living Things: Never use a pressure washer on people, pets, or plants. The force can cause serious injury and will destroy landscaping.

Jet washing can wash away weeds without bending or kneeling to pull them. However, the results will likely be fleeting because the weeds will return unless you use a stronger method that takes them out at the root. Use a jet washer for short-term weed removal, but use a stronger method if you want to get rid of weeds for good.

The best driveway cleaner for oil stains depends on the type of surface and the severity of the stain. An absorbent abrasive like baking soda works for many circumstances. By following up the baking soda with a white vinegar rinse, you can increase the effectiveness and ideally remove the stain for good. Concrete oil stains may respond better to oil stain removers designed specifically for concrete if the stain is tough to remove with at-home ingredients.

You can clean light stains off of concrete using a pressure washer with 2,000 psi, or you can clean tougher stains if you use a smaller nozzle and point the wand closer to the stain. You may also need to go over the surface more than once for a deeper clean. If you want to clean concrete faster, consider using a pressure washer with a psi of 3,000 or higher.