No matter how hard you try, some things around your home will never come clean with traditional cleaning methods. From outdoor furniture and kids’ equipment to property fencing and home exteriors, restoring it to its former glory is easier than you think.
For those who have been toying over the idea of investing in pressure washers to use around their home, you will not be short of uses to justify this worthwhile purchase.
Concrete & Paved Areas
The most common way to use a pressure washer at home is to clean concrete and paved areas around your property, including driveways and patios. The rotary nozzle is best used on footpaths and driveways as it creates a circle of pressurized water that blasts away all dirt and debris.
This intense pressure does leave circular water marks behind, which may take a couple of passes to remove. But the sparkling concrete reward will make your effort well worth it.
Kids’ Play Equipment
As with most toys, kids will inevitably lose interest in playing with their outdoor equipment. Keep their interest alive by giving their outdoor toys a decent clean, restoring them to shop quality. And if you are in the process of getting rid of unwanted toys, having them look crisp and clean will make it much easier to sell.
You can also use your washer on trampolines, particularly the vinyl coverings that lay over the springs to clear away cobwebs and dirt. Allow the metal springs to dry, uncovered, to avoid any rust from developing.
BBQ’s
While some people may describe the crust on their BBQ grills as ‘extra flavor,’ for those who would prefer it gone, a pressure washer will finish the job in no time. Cleaning a BBQ with a pressure washer does take some time and caution, as the burners need to be removed and the gas disconnected, and you will need to pay special attention to the inlets when you clean.
Allow everything to properly air dry before reassembling your grill. You will need to re-season the hotplates before your next Sunday grill, but it will feel like your BBQ has just rolled out of the store.
Outdoor Furniture
Outdoor furniture is designed to withstand harsh weather and other environmental elements. But this tough exterior will benefit from a good cleaning from time to time. Using a pressure washer will rid your furniture of unpleasant algae, mold, dust, dirt, and droppings, giving your outdoor entertainment space a much-needed refresh.
When used on a lower intensity, a pressure washer is excellent to use on outdoor umbrellas and shade sails. Be sure to clean these items on a hot, sunny day to ensure they dry properly. The material could grow mold or develop a sour smell if left damp for too long.
House Exterior
If you feel like your house exterior desperately needs a decent clean, there is no better tool for the job than a pressure washer. It will rid your home of nasty cobwebs, dust, mold, algae, and mildew with ease. It is safe to use on windows at low pressure and the garage door while you are at.
While brick will generally stand up well to this high-pressure cleaning, it is best to exercise caution when using it on painted weatherboard, as you could strip away the paint. However, if you are in the process of repainting your home, a pressure washer will save you hours of scraping time. Avoid this shortcut if you are dealing with lead paint, as it will release harmful lead particles into the air.
Wooden Decks
Timber decking may give your home the ultimate mountain lodge aesthetic, but the wood tends to grow moss and become discolored after prolonged exposure to the weather. A pressure washer will do a fantastic job in restoring it back to its former glory, giving your outdoor space a stunning makeover.
However, if you use too much pressure, you run the risk of stripping the paint or stain from the boards. If you are planning to re-stain your deck once it is cleaned, this is a clever shortcut. But a lower pressure should be used if you just want to tidy up.
Garbage Bins
If you have ever made the mistake of misreading your garbage collection calendar and disposing of food too early, you will know the horrors that rotting food can leave in garbage bins. While some may find giving them a clean somewhat pointless, an unclean bin will develop an unpleasant odor and become the ideal environment for pests to thrive.
When cleaning by hand, most people will have to climb into it to reach the bottom. But a pressure washer allows you to give it a thorough cleaning from outside, swiftly removing any stuck-on mess or food. This method will likely produce splashback, so avoid the task while wearing your Sunday best.
Fencing
Cleaning your boundary fence, especially your front wall, is a quick and easy way to give your home an instant facelift. A pressure washer works exceptionally well on metal fences but is safe to use on wooden variations at a lower intensity. Start with a low pressure and slowly increase it if the fence can withstand it.
Similar to your home exterior, if you are planning on repainting your property fence, a pressure washer will easily strip the old paint and save you hours of work.
