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The best time to clean the outside of your house is during your outdoor spring cleaning. Wait until late spring, after the wave of pollen is done coating your home. You can also wash your house in late fall–before the first freeze–to remove leaves and branches from the gutters.

Soft washing chemicals typically consist of a mix of sodium hypochlorite (or a chemical component of bleach) and water. While sodium hypochlorite and bleach are often thought to be the same thing, there is one small but key difference between the two: sodium hypochlorite comes in powdered rather than liquid form, which means that it’s also more concentrated and more effective from less product overall.

Iron, or ferrous sulfate, is one of the fastest methods for killing moss. As such, you’ll find this ingredient in many lawn fertilizers and lawn killers. Vinegar is another solution for quickly killing moss. It takes just 15 to 20 minutes for vinegar to take effect. A harsher method is bleach, which also has a similar time frame for taking effect.

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.