When the cold seasons of autumn and winter are over, it’s time to clean up the house for the outdoor seasons. Pressure washing makes this chore quick and gives you a deep-down clean. Here are five things you can pressure wash, so your house is ready for spring.
1. Wood Fences
You may not realize how much mud, dust and cobwebs build up on your fence. Since this is usually a large amount of material, pressure washing is an effective yet quick solution to this project. If your fence is very dirty, spray a mixture of soap and water on each post to pretreat the surface. Then, hold the nozzle a foot or two away from the fence and begin to spray at the top. This method allows the dirty water to run down and prevents spots on the area already cleaned. If you have a very large yard, or your hose isn’t long enough to reach the farthest ends of your fence, reach out to a local company like Sunset pressure washing for assistance.
2. Patio Furniture and Cushions
You can wash outdoor furniture made from plastic or wood easily. These large items often accumulate dust, cobwebs and yard debris from lack of use during the winter. Pressure wash these items at an angle at low pressure to avoid damaging the material. If the wood is painted, test in a small spot to see if the water removes the paint. For extra dirty accessories, use a scrub brush and some soap to get off the stuck-on material, then rinse with water. Cushions or pillows that are made of heavy-duty outdoor material can be propped up on a sturdy surface for cleaning, then left to dry in the sun. If your cusions are old and won’t stand up to the pressure washing, add a fresh coat of paint to give cushions a new look.
3. Trash and Recycling Bins
Your garbage cans and recycling tubs are definitely something that can use some deep cleaning. Even if you always put your trash inside bags, liquids leak and smells occur. Pressure washing gets to the bottom of the container and successfully pulls off any stuck-on material. For seriously smelly problems, let the can soak with a mixture of bleach and water, then rinse well.
4. Children’s Outdoor Toys
Your kids love playing outside, so ensure their gear is free from cobwebs and dirt. Their favorite toys such as bikes, playhouses, swing sets and trampolines can all get a good spray down. Make sure you don’t wash anything with batteries or electrical wiring, such as hoverboards, electric scooters or powered ride ons.
5. Concrete Patios and Walkways
Sidewalks and patios quickly accumulate large amounts of mud, bird droppings, food drips and even algae. Pressure washing gets deep into all the cracks and crevices to force all of this out, leaving behind a beautifully clean area. Cement is strong and can withstand high-pressure washing to get even the most stuck on material off. If there are large areas of moss growing, apply a pretreatment product first to make removal easier. Sometimes it takes multiple passes to get your porch looking clean.