5 Tips For Getting The Most Effective Spring Cleaning From Your Pressure Washer
If you own a pressure washer, it can be a valuable tool during your annual spring cleaning. However, like most tools, you have to know how to use it appropriately for it to be most effective.
Create a Cleaning Plan
You can probably get the majority of your pressure washing completed in a day or a weekend, depending on the size of your home and how many items you plan to use the pressure washer on. By taking an afternoon to make a list of the items you plan to use the pressure washer on and preparing those items by setting them out and removing any parts you do not plan on washing or plan on washing separately, you can save time once you actually have your pressure washer out and ready to go.
A cleaning plan will also help you decide what types of detergents you may need and whether or not you need to pre-treat any of the surfaces you intend to wash.
Pre-Treat Surfaces That Require It
Some surfaces may require some form of pre-treatment before you can use a pressure washer on them. For example, surfaces with mold should be treated with a bleach solution and left to dry before being sprayed off to prevent mold from continuing to grow. However, some items, like wood decks, you may want to pressure wash first and then sand and treat with a sealant.
Buy Appropriate Additives and Know How to Use Them
Unfortunately, many people believe that pressure washers are all they need to have a clean exterior to their home and vehicles. However, if you only use the pressure washer without any additives, you may find that the dirt stays on the item you are trying to wash. There are specific additives for vehicles, wood, concrete, and siding. You may also want to use a degreaser on items such as grills. Most modern pressure washers have an option to attach additives and spray them with the water stream onto the item you are washing. However, you should be sure to apply the additives with low pressure and then rinse them with high pressure.
Make Sure You Have the Appropriate Pressure Washer For Your Tasks
Pressure washers come in different sizes and produce different amounts of pressure. Many homeowners overestimate the amount of pressure they will need for residential use. For most people, a small, electric pressure washer will be able to handle most of the tasks they have in mind, such as washing vehicles and spraying down decks and furniture. More powerful pressure washers are generally used for stripping paint and etching materials, which you do not want to do on accident.
If you are purchasing your pressure washer to make your spring cleaning go faster, make sure you purchase an appropriate residential model.
Clean On a Warm, Sunny Day, Using Appropriate Methods
If you use your pressure washer on an overcast cool day, it can take time for the water to dry, leaving puddles in your yard and streaks on the items you have cleaned. By waiting for a warm, sunny day, you avoid the risk of growing mold or mildew in areas that do not dry quickly.
Additionally, you should use the sprayer appropriately, by keeping it moving and spraying from top to bottom to avoid streaking. You should use a broad spray setting to avoid damaging the items that you are cleaning and test on a small area before cleaning the entire surface.
Having a pressure washer available can make your spring cleaning go much faster and can leave your home, vehicles, and outdoor furniture looking great. But you need to make sure you know how to use your pressure washer effectively.
For more tips, check out websites like http://www.benscleaner.com.