How to Pressure Wash

Pressure washers are extremely helpful when it comes to cleaning large surface areas that would be difficult to wash by hand. They run either on gas or electricity and pump water through a narrow nozzle to emit a powerful flow of water. To pressure wash a surface, you'll need to select the right washer for the job. Electrical pressure washers are best for everyday cleaning, while gas and commercial washers will provide more power for tougher jobs. When using a pressure washer, keep it angled away from you, and start with the lowest power setting and widest nozzle attachment before increasing the flow of water.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Choosing the Right Pressure Washer

1
Use an electric pressure washer for simple, everyday cleaning. An electric pressure washer is a basic washer that typically emits water between 1300 and 1900 psi. It's a good choice if you're planning on performing regular washes around your home. A typical electric pressure washer is good for washing cars, patio furniture, decks, exterior walls, or driveways.^{[1]XResearch source}
- Psi stands for pounds per square inch, and is used to measure pressure. The higher the psi, the greater the pressure.
- You can buy a pressure washer at any big box hardware store. Some smaller hardware or cleaning supply shops may have them as well.
- Think about getting a warranty if you plan on using your pressure washer often.^{[2]XExpert SourceBen Barlow
  Window Cleaning SpecialistExpert Interview. 23 July 2021.}
2
Opt for a gas-powered pressure washer for heavy duty jobs. Pressure washers with a gas engine run on unleaded gasoline and produce a flow of water between 2000 and 3100 psi. They are also more portable than electric pressure washers, since they don't need to be plugged in. They're much better than electric washers when it comes to cleaning stone, wood, and metal. Get a gas-powered washer if you need to clean stronger or tougher surfaces.^{[3]XResearch source}
- Some gas-powered pressure washers emit a lot of fumes and cause a lot of noise when they're running. If you want a silent and clean pressure washer, avoid getting a gas-powered washer unless you really need the extra power.
- Pressure washers with high psi settings will be more expensive than standard pressure washers since they're capable of scouring tougher surfaces.
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Commercial washers are almost universally gas-powered, but tend to be bigger than standard gas-powered washers. They reach a psi of 4,000 or higher, and are the only choice if you want to remove graffiti, strip paint, or clean commercial-strength concrete or metal.^{[4]XResearch source}
Warning: Commercial washers are extremely powerful and can damage or break materials that aren't capable of withstanding the pressure they generate. Unless you're a professional cleaner or maintenance worker, you probably don't need a commercial washer.
4
Get a pressure washer with a soap dispenser for home cleaning. Some pressure washers come with a soap dispenser that can mix soap into the water as you're washing something. If you know that you're going to be consistently cleaning something with soap, look for a pressure washer with a built-in soap dispenser. It will come in handy if you want to clean a car or picnic table every week or so.^{[5]XResearch source}
- Always run a pressure washer with water for a few minutes after using the soap dispenser to wash your hose and nozzle out.
- Make sure you use the right soap or detergent with your pressure washer.^{[6]XExpert SourceBen Barlow
  Window Cleaning SpecialistExpert Interview. 23 July 2021.}
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Washing a Surface

1
Wear protective eyewear, thick boots, and heavy-duty gloves. Pressure washers emit a powerful spray that will not only send water flying all over the place, but can knock up loose pebbles, small rocks, and dirt before making them airborne. To protect your eyes and hands, wear protective eyewear and heavy duty gloves before you use your pressure washer.^{[7]XResearch source}
- Heavy boots will protect your feet and keep them dry at the same time.
2
Attach the widest nozzle that you could use on your surface. Nozzles for pressure washers are color-coded to indicate the size of the spray pattern. Start with the widest nozzle based on your surface area to make sure that you don't expose your surface to unnecessary force and that it can handle the pressure washer's flow without any damage occurring. Once you've tested a wide-angle nozzle, you can determine whether or not you need a stronger spray.^{[8]XResearch source}
- White nozzles are 40 degrees.
- Green nozzles are 25 degrees.
- Yellow nozzles are 15 degrees.
- Red nozzles are 0 degrees. They will emit an incredibly strong stream of water, so use them sparingly.
- Black nozzles are designed to dispense soap, and restrict the pressure of the liquid coming out.
Never place your nozzle at a 90-degree angle to your washer. The ricochet and splashing created by your washer will be tremendous. Hold your hose out at a 20-45 degree angle away from you with the nozzle pointed 4–8 feet (1.2–2.4 m) away from your surface.^{[9]XResearch source}
Tip: Place your washer's engine directly behind you before you turn your washer on. This will keep any excess water from getting into the pressure washer's engine.
4
Turn your pressure washer on and set it to the lowest power setting. Connect the hose to your pressure washer and turn it on. Hold the nozzle away from you in the direction of the surface you want to clean. With a firm grip on your handle, turn your pressure washer on and pull the trigger to start cleaning. Start in an inconspicuous section of the area that you plan on cleaning in case your surface area gets damaged from the initial flow of water.^{[10]XTrustworthy SourceConsumer ReportsNonprofit organization dedicated to consumer advocacy and product testingGo to source}
- Starting on a lower power setting will ensure that you don't damage your surface with the initial blast of water. You can always turn it up once you've started.
- Make sure that your water is turned on before you power up your pressure washer.^{[11]XExpert SourceBen Barlow
  Window Cleaning SpecialistExpert Interview. 23 July 2021.}
5
Adjust the distance between your surface and the nozzle. As soon as the water starts coming out, you'll be able to see if your washer is successfully removing dirt or damaging your surface. If splashing is a problem, sharpen the angle between your nozzle and the surface that it's cleaning to direct the water away from you. If your washer isn't cleaning the area, move the nozzle closer to the surface.^{[12]XTrustworthy SourceConsumer ReportsNonprofit organization dedicated to consumer advocacy and product testingGo to source}
- The narrower your nozzle is, the farther away you can be from your surface. If you need to clean the top of a tall wall or the underside of a roof overhang, don't adjust your distance. Instead, swap your nozzle out for a tighter option.
6
Work horizontally, starting at the top of your surface. Whether it's a wall, car, or patio furniture, start spraying from the top of your surface. Water will trickle down, which will make cleaning the sections beneath your spraying area easier. Start at the top and work horizontally until you've fully cleaned a row of your surface area. Then, lower your washer and move in the opposite direction, moving parallel to your original line.^{[13]XTrustworthy SourceConsumer ReportsNonprofit organization dedicated to consumer advocacy and product testingGo to source}
- Move your pressure washer slowly as you navigate your intended surface to ensure that you don't lose control of the hose.
- It may take multiple applications before you clean a surface completely.
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Avoiding Common Mistakes

1
Avoid electrical lines, outlets, and light sources. Water and electricity do not mix, and it is dangerous to get electrical equipment wet. Don't use your power washer anywhere near electrical equipment or active power lines. If you have to wash an area with an exterior outlet, cover it with multiple layers of duct tape to keep water out.^{[14]XResearch source}
- Keep your washer's engine behind you as you move around during your pressure washing. This will keep water from getting in the engine.
Tip: Empty your pockets before using your pressure washer. You may get wet and you won't be happy if your phone or wallet get soaked in the process.
2
Cover shrubs, gardens, or air conditioners with drop cloths. Pressure washers obviously produce quite a bit of force. Even if you don't hit sensitive areas with the pressure washer directly, the ricocheting water can still cause damage. Cover areas that you wish to protect with a heavy drop cloth. Lay it on top of the area you want to protect, and weigh down the corners with heavy objects or tie it down with duct tape.^{[15]XResearch source}
- A drop cloth will not protect sensitive areas if you aim your nozzle directly at them. It will merely prevent incidental damage from unwanted splashing.
Pressure washers create a lot of kickback when you turn them on. For this reason, using the washer on a ladder or unstable surface can be extremely dangerous. Besides, pressure washers are strong and you should be able to hit a hard-to-reach area with higher power settings and a thinner nozzle from 10–30 feet (3.0–9.1 m) away.^{[16]XResearch source}
4
Clean out water lines after using soap in your pressure washer. If you're using a soap dispenser, soap scum can dry up in your water lines after you're done using your washer. Clean your pressure washer by refilling it with water and running it for 3-5 minutes before emptying the tank and wiping it down with a microfiber cloth. Inspect the lines and hoses on your washer for damage before each use.^{[17]XResearch source}
- Try to perform regular maintenance about 1-2 times each year.^{[18]XExpert SourceBen Barlow
  Window Cleaning SpecialistExpert Interview. 23 July 2021.}
- Some pressure washers are designed to be taken apart for cleaning. Refer to your washer's manual to see how to take it apart.
- If you have a gas-powered washer, you may need to change out the oil regularly.^{[19]XExpert SourceBen Barlow
  Window Cleaning SpecialistExpert Interview. 23 July 2021.}
- Store your pressure washer in a warmed section of your home during the winter to prevent water lines from freezing.
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