Your Philadelphia home is exposed to outside air, pollution, rain, and more 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Is it any surprise your home looks a little dirty from time to time? Power washing your house can help remove dirt and grime. But, a lot can go wrong if you aren’t sure what you are doing. Before you pick up the power washer, check out these tips to make the most out of your deep cleaning experience.

Use Detergent

To get the most out of power washing your house, it helps to use detergent. Even with a lot of pressure behind it, water alone isn’t enough to do the job. Pick a detergent that’s designed for use in a pressure washer. Some household cleaners, such as bleach, shouldn’t be used in the machine, as they can damage it, according to Popular Mechanics.

Typically, you apply a coat of detergent with the washer and let it sit on the exterior wall of the house for a few minutes before you rinse it away.

Know Where to Aim

Some materials can be damaged by the force of the power washer. For example, you don’t want to power wash stained glass windows, nor do you want to get water underneath the siding of your house. If your home has a brick or stucco facade, make sure the material is in good repair and that it is completely dry before you power wash. You don’t want water to wear away damaged brick or stucco or for it to seep into any cracks.

In the case of brick, you’ll want to make sure you wet it before you apply the detergent. Power spraying detergent onto dry brick can actually damage the brick. Soak the brick with water first, then apply detergent, and then rinse the detergent away.

Protect Yourself

Remember safety first when power washing your house. Although you might see people climbing up on ladders when using a pressure washer, that’s not the best idea. You’ll be using a machine that shoots water with a lot of force at the walls of your home. It’s best to stay on steady ground, so that you don’t lose your balance.

Since power washing involves shooting a jet of water at the home, and because water and electricity can be quite shocking when they get together, it’s a good idea to turn the electricity in your home off before you start. At the very least, flip the switch on any outdoor sockets. If you’re using an electric pressure washer, be careful not to touch the plug if you have wet hands.

It’s also a good idea to wear safety goggles when using the power washer. If you’re using a gas-powered machine, hearing protection might be a good idea, since those machines can be very loud.

Call in the Pros

Nervous about power washing your home? There are a few companies in the Philadelphia area that can handle the job for you. Websites such as Angie’s List and Home Advisor feature reviews of popular companies. You can also ask your friends and family members if they can recommend a dependable power washing business in the city.

Pressure washing your house can make it look like new again. If your house looks a little dingy or worse for wear, it might be time to give its facade a deep clean.

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