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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.

If your carpet is 15 years old and has yet to be cleaned regularly (every year or two), then you may need to replace the carpet. Wear patterns, stains, and dirt that has filtered into the carpet may not come out if it isn’t maintained properly. However, a professional carpet cleaner will test clean a small area or room to see if cleaning will give your carpet another couple of years of life. Otherwise, your best option may be to replace the carpet.

Cleaning the carpet in a standard-size room should take about 30 to 45 minutes, depending on the size of the square footage. If your bedroom carpet has serious stains or wear patterns, it may take longer to treat it. An experienced carpet cleaner will likely move faster through this task than if you DIY it with a rented carpet cleaner.

If you or your pet are unlucky enough to enrage a skunk during extraction, don’t douse yourself in tomato juice—it only masks the odor. A more effective way to get rid of skunk smells is with a hydrogen peroxide solution which you apply to skin, pet fur, or clothing.