Pressure washers aren't just for cleaning. Here are some offbeat ways to put that pressurized water to use around the house.
9 Unusual Uses for Pressure Washers That’ll Blow Your Mind
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Pressure Washers Can Peel Potatoes
Peeling potatoes can be a monotonous task. If you want to speed up the process tenfold, toss them in a crate outside, stand back, and pressure wash until the skins disappear!
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Use Pressure to Skateboard
If you have a pressure washer and a rip stick/skateboard, as well as a smooth, long driveway, you can give your kids (or yourself!) a ride down the driveway without any work by aiming the pressure washer at the ground behind you and letting the water push you in the opposite direction.
Here are some tips on how to pressure wash a driveway for the first time.
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Carve a Pumpkin
The carving tools used to make jack-O’-lanterns sometimes create more headaches and hand aches than they do smiles and joy. This hack is ideal for someone who wants more of a giant smile and big cut out eyes for their Jack-o-Lantern instead of an intricate design. Lazy man’s pressure pumpkin carving at its finest!
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Scale a Fish
A great fisherman’s hack for thoroughly cleaning your just-caught fish, a pressure washer can do wonders in just a short time. Keep your hands fairly clean and scale your catch by using a pressure washer.
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Blow Away the Leaves
Come fall, your green grass is covered in layers of leaves. And while it might look pretty for a moment, chances are you’d like access to your yard again! Put down the rake or the leaf blower and try using your pressure washer to quickly and efficiently see your backyard grass once again.
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Slice a Grapefruit
Equal parts fun and as satisfying as using a laser, you can use the zero-degree red tip that comes with most pressure washers to precisely slice a grapefruit without destroying it.
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Get a Ball Out of a Tree
When a ball gets thrown, kicked or somehow launched so high that it gets stuck in a tree, a pressure washer is a safe way to get it down. No ladder or climbing skills required!
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Create Sidewalk Art
When you’re pressure washing your sidewalk, have a little fun and write and draw on it. Unless you’re a skilled artist, you might want to draw your picture on the sidewalk with chalk first, then take the power washer and trace over the lines.
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Use Pressure Washers Safely
While there are lots of fun and creative ways to use pressure washers, these powerful machines can also be dangerous. Don’t let kids play with them and make sure you follow all safety precautions recommended by the manufacturer of your machine, including the most important one: Never point the nozzle at yourself or anyone else.
FAQ
What protective gear should I wear when using pressure washers?
Pressurized water blows debris in all directions when it hits a surface, so at the very least, you need goggles to protect your eyes. Depending on the size and type of the job you’re doing, you should also wear steel-toed shoes, gloves and rain gear.
Can I use any cleaning solution in my pressure washer?
Many pressure washers come with a reservoir for detergent. Once you fill it, the detergent will automatically mix with water as you spray. The type of detergent you use depends on what you’re cleaning, but for most jobs, dish soap or a general purpose cleaner like Simple Green is usually fine. You can also buy special detergent for cleaning decks, siding and driveways. Check the manufacturer’s recommendations for the model you’re using.
