Can You Pressure Wash Windows?

When you first find out about pressure washing and its incredible capacity for quick and easy cleaning, it’s tempting to want to use it for everything. Just a quick glimpse at pressure or power washing before and after photos may be enough to pique your curiosity. 

But some home features, like windows, are more likely to crack under all that pressure. The following guide answers the question of can you pressure wash windows and provides tips and precautions if you do decide to give it a try. 

Is It Safe to Pressure Wash Windows?

Can you pressure wash windows? Sure, you can apply a pressure washer to just about anything. But should you? Pressure washing windows isn’t usually advisable because the glass is likely to break. 

That said, there are ways to do it safely. But before we get into that, it’s important to note that we’re talking about the outside of your windows here. Indoor pressure washing should be reserved only for spots that can handle the inevitable backsplash that comes from working with a water-based power tool like this, like your bathroom or garage, and even then it’s not always a good idea. 

In order to prevent your windows from cracking while pressure washing, choosing the right nozzle and pressure setting is of the utmost importance. Too much localized pressure will almost definitely cause problems like cracked or shattered glass—and incur hefty window repair costs in the long run. 

3 Tips to Reduce the Risks of Pressure Washing Windows

Photo: SimonSkafar / E+ / Getty Images

Although there is a high chance of glass breakage when pressure washing windows, the following three tips can help prevent that from happening. 

1. Use the Right Nozzle

In general, there are three types of pressure washer nozzles to choose from: a green nozzle with a 25-degree spray angle, a yellow nozzle with a 15-degree spray angle, and a red nozzle with a zero-degree spray angle. Using a green nozzle is the safest bet because the pressure is more dispersed, but a yellow nozzle may also work if the machine is on a low setting. Avoid red nozzles altogether as its intensely pointed pressure is far more likely to shatter glass. 

2. Select a Low Pressure Setting 

When working with windows, always set your pressure washer to the lowest possible setting. If you find that you need a bit more strength to get the desired effect, gradually increase the pressure level rather than amping it up all at once. 

3. Don’t Use a Gas-Powered Machine

Gas-powered pressure washers are inherently stronger than electric-powered models and almost always produce more pressure than a common glass window can handle. On the plus side, electric pressure washers are also more eco-friendly than alternatives that use gas. 

Try This Pro-Approved Window Washing Method Instead

Although professionals often include window cleanings in the overall cost to pressure wash a house, odds are they won’t be using a pressure washer to do it. Instead, a power washing service near you is more likely to use a far simpler technique to make your windows shine: applying soapy water with a foam applicator or sponge and removing it with a squeegee. 

This method, while less efficient, produces reliable results and almost never causes the type of damage that is associated with pressure cleaners. And you can easily use an extension pole or ladder to reach the heights that a pressure cleaner can reach without any extra tools. 

If you’re still itching to use that pressure washer you rented for the weekend, there are other surfaces that will benefit more from the power than your windows. For example, you’ll save on the cost to pressure wash a fence if you already have the pro or machine handy at the same time as you wash your roof or siding.