Deep Cleaning With a Pressure Washer
Pressure washer cleaning with detergent and high-pressure water is an efficient way to deep clean surfaces, but there are things you need to know before you begin:
- Some surfaces aren’t suitable for some pressure levels and nozzles. See our pressure washer guide to match a pressure washer to a project.
- To reduce the risk of damage, use the lowest-pressure, widest-angle nozzle that’s effective.
- If the pressure washer etches the surface, use a wider-angle tip or move back from the surface.
- Wear eye protection, cleaning gloves and closed-toe footwear. If you’re using a gas pressure washer, you might want to wear hearing protection as well.
- Never point the spray at people, animals, windows or any electrical lines or fixtures. See your manual for full safety instructions.
You might use the terms pressure washer and power washer interchangeably, but a power washer is typically a pro-grade machine that uses heated high-pressure water to clean. Pressure washers clean with cold high-pressure water.
General Pressure Washer Cleaning Tips
We’ve got tips for common pressure washer cleaning projects below, but whatever surface you’re cleaning:
- Follow the instructions in your manual.
- Clear the cleaning area and cover nearby plants.
- Avoid using a pressure washer near damaged surfaces.
- Pre-treat tough stains.
- Use a hose to rinse the surface.
- Apply cleaner with the black, low-pressure nozzle, covering a small area with overlapping passes.
- Give the cleaner several minutes to work, but don’t let it dry.
- Flush the cleaner from the machine and attach a high-pressure nozzle suitable for the surface.
- Test the high-pressure nozzle on an inconspicuous area to ensure it won’t damage the surface.
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Spray off the cleaner and grime and repeat cleaner application and high-pressure rinsing for the next section.
Driveways
Concrete and asphalt are tough materials, but driveways collect grease, oil and dirt. Our project guide for pressure washing a driveway has step-by-step instructions, but here are the key points:
- Apply the cleaner to small sections at a time.
- Rinse the section. A green (25-degree) nozzle is typically suitable, but test to ensure it doesn’t etch the surface. Switch to a lower-pressure nozzle, if necessary. A surface cleaner is also effective for cleaning large areas.
- Apply a sealer after the concrete or asphalt dries completely.
Fences
Fences need regular cleaning and wood fences need cleaning before painting or staining and sealing. See our guide to pressure washing a fence or deck for complete instructions, but here are quick pressure washer cleaning tips:
- Apply the cleaner starting at the bottom of a section and working upward.
- Rinse the section. A green (25-degree) nozzle is suitable for most vinyl and metal fences as well as some wood fences, but an older wood fence might need a white (40-degree) nozzle to reduce the risk of damage.
- Clean from the top of a panel downward.
- Paint or stain and seal a wood fence after it dries fully.
Decks
Dirt, algae and leaf stains mean a deck needs periodic cleaning. A wood deck also needs cleaning before staining and sealing. See our instructions for cleaning decks and fences for detailed instructions, but we’ve got deck cleaning tips below:
- Apply the cleaner a few boards at a time.
- Rinse the section. A white (40-degree) or green (25-degree) nozzle is best for wood decks. A turbo nozzle that sprays a rotating stream can also be helpful. If you have a composite or PVC deck, follow the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions.
- On a wood deck, clean each board along the grain.
- Stain and seal a wood deck after it dries fully.
Siding, Stucco and Brick
Keeping your home exterior looking good boosts curb appeal. See our guide to pressure washing a house for step-by-step instructions, but here are quick tips:
- Cover electrical components. Keep the spray clear of power lines.
- A second story requires a heavy-duty pressure washer or extension kit.
- Apply cleaner from the bottom up.
- Rinse from the top down. Use a white (40-degree) nozzle for vinyl and painted stucco or brick. A green (25-degree) nozzle works for unpainted stucco and brick. A turbo nozzle with a rotating spray can also be effective. If cleaning stucco, keep a pressure washer nozzle about 2 feet from the surface.
- Avoid spraying underneath siding and into any gaps. Don’t spray windows.
Vehicles
You can typically clean vehicles with a pressure washer if you use low PSI (pounds per square inch) and a nozzle with a wide spray pattern. Follow the cleaning instructions for your vehicle and see our guide to pressure washing vehicles for instructions and cautions, but here are the key tips:
- Work on one side of the vehicle at a time.
- Apply the cleaner from the bottom up.
- Use a white (40-degree) spray nozzle to clean off the dirt and cleaner from the top downward. Start 4 or 5 feet from the surface and slowly move closer only if needed and only if the pressure won’t damage the vehicle or finish.
- Don’t use high-pressure spray on tires or windows.
More Pressure Washer Cleaning Projects
Knowing the basics of pressure washer cleaning techniques helps you take on more outdoor cleaning jobs, including:
- Patios
- Sidewalks and walkways
- Gutters
- Grills
- Outdoor furniture
- Bikes
Deep Cleaning Outdoor Spaces With Lowe’s
From pressure washers for just about any outdoor space to surface-cleaning attachments and cleaners that release grime, Lowe’s has what you need to keep outdoor spaces clean. Browse pressure washers on Lowes.com or talk to a Red Vest associate at your local Lowe’s. They’ll match your pressure washer cleaning projects to the perfect machine.