Things You'll Need:
- Goggles
- Closed-toe shoes
- Power washer and hose
- Gasoline
- Detergent
- Water hose attached to spigot
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Step 1
Address safety first. Power washers emit forceful blasts of water that can strip the skin off unprotected body parts. Wear closed-toed shoes and goggles to protect your eyes from flying debris. It's best to wear older clothes, especially if you'll be cleaning very dirty areas.
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Step 2
Connect the water hose to the connector on the bottom of the pressure washer. Make sure to screw the hose end coupling tightly into the fitting on the washer. Connect the other end of the hose to your house's water spigot and turn it on to a high setting.
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Step 3
Check the level of gas in the pressure washer and fill the tank if necessary. Secure the cap completely to prevent water from entering the fuel tank.
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Step 4
Attach the pressure washer hose to the unit and secure the correct-sized nozzle. Pressure washers have varying spray width settings that should be set before starting the engine. Fan nozzles cover larger areas, while pinpoint nozzles are great for small jobs.
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Step 5
Fill the soap dispenser with detergent, if necessary. Pressure washers work well without, soap so this step is not necessary.
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Step 6
Turn the power washer to the "On" position. Turn on the choke and prime the engine. Yank the pull cord until the engine starts, and then reduce the choke. Once the engine is running smoothly, position the unit near the area you want to clean. Make sure the hose doesn't rub against the side of the hot engine, which will burn a hole into your pressure washer hose line.
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Step 7
Begin cleaning from top to bottom, and back to front. Pressure washers use a lot of water, so consider drainage and runoff with your cleaning plan. For example, clean the uppermost siding of your house first and work your way down to the ground.
