Spring break was lost on many of us due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Our minds were cluttered and occupied with many other things, and honestly, getting our kitchen ready for summer may not have been at the top of our lists, and now it’s almost fall and stores are already selling Halloween candy. What happened?! It’s never too late to spruce up your space, and it’s especially ideal to have a quick turn-around on cleaning tasks. If you are looking for a fast way to gain some instant gratification, you may want to consider using a pressure washer.
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Using a pressure washer requires an electrical outlet (or a full gas can), a trustworthy hose, and an able-bodied adult who wants something to be seriously cleaned. While using a pressure washer is typically reserved for walkways, home exteriors, and patios, there are many ways using a pressure washer can improve your life and spruce up your home. One of the main concerns of pressure washing is the usage of water. If you make a plan for using a pressure washer, then changes can be made around the rest of your day, for example, shorten showers, skip watering the lawn, and hold off on laundry until the next day. Awareness is key when water conservation is a concern.
Keep reading to discover 3 ways that using a pressure washer can seriously spruce up your space.
1. Using A Pressure Washer With Your Laundry
Do you have children in sports, a partner with a dirty job, or even a pair of shoes that that have seen better days? Sometimes scrubbing isn’t going to be enough, no matter how many times it’s worked before or the strength of your favorite cleanser. Using a pressure washer can restore your well-loved pieces of clothing to their former glory.
When it comes to using a pressure washer on clothing or shoes, a little common sense will go a long way. This method should really only be used on sturdy pieces that can handle the intensity that a pressure washer provides. It’s also important to do a test on other materials or even a smaller part of your clothing or shoes before going all-in on your son’s baseball uniform.
Tips for using a pressure washer on clothing and shoes:
- Make sure your clothing is off of the ground and stabilized with pins or tied. The force of the pressure washer will move your clothing while washing.
- Many pressure washers are distributed with different nozzles which create different pressure levels. Choose the level that works for you. Start with the lowest amount of pressure and work your way up.
- If you are concerned with water usage, try to multitask. Stabilize your clothing over your garden area or a sandy spot on your lawn.
- If your clothing is particularly soiled, try soaking it in detergent the night before.
- If you have a clothesline, then drying your items is simple. If you prefer to use a dryer, make sure you wring your clothing out before placing them into the dryer for a cycle.
2. Using A Pressure Washer On Outdoor Textiles
Much like the pressure required to safely pressure wash soiled laundry, the pressure required to safely clean outdoor fabrics and textiles must be carefully determined beforehand. Outdoor textiles and furniture are often much more sturdy than indoor furniture, so using a pressure washer to make them new again is the best option. Plus, you can leave them outside to dry so there’s not much left to the job after they’ve been cleaned!
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For aluminum, steel, and hard wood-framed outdoor furniture, using a pressure washer is not necessarily the best way to get it cleaned, because it can strip varnish and paint. If you do want to use your pressure washer to get them cleaned, just make sure you do a test spot and start with the lowest nozzle at least 16 inches away from the object.
Tips for using a pressure washer to clean outdoor furniture cushions and textiles:
- Clear the area around your cleaning space. Dirty water runoff will just get all of your other outdoor items dirty, making your job that much harder.
- Consider using a detergent in your pressure washer. Detergents can help prevent mildew and mold growth, keeping you and your family healthy while keeping your textiles cleaner for longer.
- Make sure to wring out the cushions so that the water does not sit. Allow to dry in the sun.
3. Using A Pressure Washer To Clean Indoor Rugs And Carpets
Are your favorite area rugs looking a little dingy? While it can be easy to run an upholstery cleaner over it, it can be frustrating to see it gathering more dirt and fading more and more every day. Before you toss it in the bin, consider using a pressure washer to get it looking brand new again.
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Much like the outdoor textiles, using a soap can help speed up the process, but it isn’t necessary. It is necessary, however, to make sure you have the perfect location to clean the carpet. Many people like to clean their rug or carpet as it lays flat, but I prefer to find a sturdy place to drape the carpet or rug over while cleaning it. It needs to hang high enough to drain onto an area that is clear and has proper drainage into grass or another area where the water will be put to good use. For example, draping your rug or carpet over the fence, the children’s swing set, or even the barbecue pit or grill is the perfect place to get your carpets and rugs looking brand new.
Tips for using a pressure washer to clean indoor area rugs and carpets:
- Always to a test spot in an inconspicuous area to make sure your pressure washer won’t destroy your carpet’s materials.
- For heavily soiled carpets, you may need to use a soap or even a chemical treatment before pressure washing. Again, you may need to spot test any chemical treatments you consider before applying it to the entire piece.
- Your carpet or rug will need to dry outdoors before you bring it inside. For larger or thicker rugs, it will require more time, so check your forecast!
While many people do not have access to a pressure washer or a hose with the proper hook-ups for this type of machine, there are ways to access them! Pull-in car wash facilities use pressure washers, so a bag of quarters and a little transportation innovation can spruce up your items in no time. Also, many hardware stores rent out pressure washing machines for a daily rate, so if investing on a pressure washer isn’t possible for you right now, the option to access one is always there.
Using a pressure washer is an incredible way to brighten up your home and spruce up your space, no matter what season we’re diving into. It’s a quick, cool, and fun way to take charge and enjoy your home at its cleanest!
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