Top 19 Pressure Washer Uses for Your Home

If you’ve been thinking of getting a pressure washer, you’re probably excited about all the different pressure washer uses around your home. It’s a fun tool, for sure. However, before you pay a few hundred dollars for a pressure washer, make sure you know what you should and shouldn’t pressure wash.

1. Blast Your Driveways Clean

Driveways collect all sorts of impurities, from dirt to automotive fluids. Over time, they can collect and make your driveway look dirty. A few quick sweeps with a pressure washer, however, and your driveway will look as good as new.

2. Shine Up Cars, Trucks, and Other Motor Vehicles

Instead of going to the car wash, you can use your pressure washer to clean your vehicle. A pressure washer can cut through dirt and debris both on top of your car and underneath. 

However, this one comes with a caveat. You should be very careful using a pressure washer on your car. Only use it on the lowest setting with the gentlest nozzle attached. Otherwise, you risk doing serious damage to your car. Consider calling a pro for advice on this task. 

3. Pretty Up Your Patios

Patios are another prime candidate for pressure washing because they're outdoors and made out of sturdy materials like brick that can handle a pressure washer. Also, you can use the pressure washer to clean the patio furniture, depending on its material. Considering the cost to clean and reseal pavers on your patio is about $425 on average, a pressure washer could pay for itself over time.

4. Rinse Stairs and Walkways

Stairs and walkways can get caked in dirt from a lot of foot traffic, as well as Mother Nature. Blasting it with a pressure washer should clean it up thoroughly and leave the surface gleaming, adding a lot of curb appeal to your home.

5. Make Your Deck Sparkle

A deck is another outdoor surface you can clean with a pressure washer. However, you'll want to be careful and use a low setting.

Many decks are stained for both appearance and to protect them from the elements, and a pressure washer on too high of a setting can strip that protection off. When choosing a pressure washer, be sure to find one with the appropriate settings for the jobs you most want to do.

6. Give Your Home’s Facade a Facelift

The exterior of your home can get a nice facelift from a good, thorough pressure washing. Again, be sure to use a low setting to avoid causing damage, and avoid doing it at all if you have wood siding (see below). Doing it yourself might save you from having to hire a local pressure washing pro to clean your house—though it’s not a bad idea if you aren’t up to the task.

7. Get Grime Off Your Garage Floors

Pressure washers do an excellent job on dirty garage floors, instantly sweeping up debris and oil stains. You'll want to clear the garage first of any loose objects, as the pressure washer will send anything not nailed down flying.

8. Clean Your Garage Door

A pressure washer is the ultimate solution for cleaning a grimy garage door. Over time, dirt, mold, and grease can build up, dulling its appearance. Use the washer on a low to medium setting to avoid damage, and watch as your garage door is restored to its original shine. It’s a quick way to enhance curb appeal.

9. Strip Away Paint

Pressure washing paint is a lot easier than using a scraper tool. A pressure washer will efficiently scrub any surface of most types of paint.

They’re particularly good at removing spray paint, though you may need to spray it with stain remover or apply turpentine first.

Safety note: Don’t use a pressure washer if you suspect the paint is lead-based.

10. Clean Your Gutter Exteriors  

This is another task that comes with a caveat: Never pressure wash inside your gutters. Though it may seem like an easy, quick way to unclog the gutters, it’s very easy to severely damage the inside of your gutters with a pressure washer. You can safely clean the outside of your gutters with a pressure washer on a very low setting, though. 

If you need some serious help with the insides of your gutters, call a local gutter cleaning company. 

11. Wash Garbage Bins

Garbage bins are breeding grounds for odors and bacteria, but pressure washers can help. You can use it to remove grime, food remnants, and other refuse stuck inside the bin without getting your hands dirty. You can also apply a disinfectant solution and let it sit for a few minutes prior to washing to tackle bacteria. 

12. Freshen Up Your Fence

Fences often take a beating from the elements, accumulating dirt, mildew, and algae. Whether you have wood, vinyl, or metal fencing, pressure washing your fence removes buildup and restores its look. Use a gentle setting on wood fences to avoid splintering and bring your fence back to life with ease.

13. Restore an Old Area Rug

Did you know that your pressure washer can breathe new life into an old area rug? Lay the rug flat on a clean surface, spray it with a mild detergent, and rinse it thoroughly using the pressure washer. It’s a simple way to remove deep-seated dirt and odors, leaving your rug looking and smelling fresh.

14. Get Your Grill Pristine

Is your grill covered in grease and grime? A pressure washer can help. Start by removing any detachable parts, then use the washer to blast away grease and food debris. Be sure to avoid electrical components and dry everything thoroughly before reassembly. Your grill will look—and cook—better in no time.

15. Clean a Pool's Interior

Pools and hot tubs quickly accumulate algae, calcium deposits, and grime. A pressure washer is perfect for deep-cleaning their interiors during maintenance. Drain the water and use a pressure washer on a moderate setting to scrub away buildup from walls and floors. It’s a fast and effective way to maintain a sparkling, clean oasis.

However, not all pool interiors can stand up to the might of a pressure washer. Do not power wash vinyl-lined or fiberglass pools. Concrete pools are fair game, though. 

16. Make Your Boat Shine

Give your boat a showroom finish with the help of a pressure washer. You can remove salt, algae, and grime that accumulate after time on the water. From the hull to the deck, a quick pressure wash will keep your boat looking pristine and protect it from long-term damage. Just don’t pressure wash the interior.

17. Clean Lawn and Recreational Vehicles

From lawnmowers to ATVs, pressure washers are lifesavers for maintaining outdoor equipment. They quickly remove mud, grass clippings, and grime, helping prolong the life of your machines. Always rinse thoroughly and avoid spraying sensitive components like engines or electrical parts to ensure your gear stays in top shape.

18. Debark Logs for Firewood

Preparing logs for firewood is easier with a pressure washer. Bark can trap moisture and insects, making it harder for the wood to dry properly. Use a high-pressure setting to strip away the bark efficiently. This method not only speeds up the seasoning process but also ensures cleaner, more efficient burning of firewood for your home.

19. Polish Sturdy Miscellaneous Objects

You can use a pressure washer to clean all sorts of miscellaneous objects, like large toys, garden tools, and some types of outdoor furniture. You just need to ensure the items can withstand the force and adjust the pressure setting according to the item’s durability. Materials like metal, plastic, and hardwood are generally well suited for pressure washing, but it’s always best to test a small area first.

Just about any heavy object that gets dirty and grimy could benefit from pressure washing. That could include a bike, an old car engine, or a playground set that needs a good spring cleaning. 

As long as there are no components that a pressure washer can damage, you should be able to pressure wash it. And if it's something that's kept outside, usually that's the case.

Things You Should Not Pressure Wash

Now that we’ve covered ways you can use your pressure washer, it’s time to go over what you should avoid pressure washing.

Wood Siding

If your home has wood siding, don't use pressure washing to clean your home's exterior. Water can get under the siding and damage insulation and wiring, and it could even cause damage to the siding itself.

Anything Electric

If an object is wired to anything, do not pressure wash it. Water and electricity are not a good combination. Even electrical equipment built for the outdoors may not be able to keep water out when it comes from a high-powered pressure washer.

Painted Surfaces

As noted above, pressure washers are good at stripping off paint. So if you want to keep a surface painted, use other gentler cleaning methods.

Glass

Pressure washers are powerful enough to break glass, so do not use them to clean your windows no matter how sturdy you think they are.

Any Living Thing

A pressure washer is far too powerful to water your plants, so don’t try to save time by giving them a spray down while you’re cleaning. Never use a pressure washer on any living thing including plants, children, and pets.