Uses for a pressure washer?

[pendragon1998]

I received a pressure washer for Christmas and I am darned if I can think of any use at all for it. I rent my house, so I don't wash the exterior or the deck. I have a small driveway that gets gravel and mud on it from the gravel road, but a shovel and a garden hose would be just as quick. I don't offroad and my cars are fine with an occasional run through a carwash.

My mom and stepdad gave me the washer, and I am reluctant to return it (not sure it even can be returned for various reasons). I just have no use for one that I can identify. I could certainly use the cash for more useful things. I think Mom heard me bitching about the dirty driveway, which is where she got the idea.

Any other uses I am not thinking of? I hate to just leave it in a corner of my garage 24/7/365.

 

[dogdog]

wash your car, scooter, dirt bike, heavy soiled undies?

 

[pendragon1998]

Yeah, like I said, my cars get a run through the $5 carwash every two months, whether they need it or not - lol. No muddy toys.

 

[p_mori7]

I rent my house, so I don't wash the exterior or the deck.

Why not ? Does the landlord do it ? Many years ago when we first rented a house, I maintained the property in good condition...wash windows, mowed lawn, cleaned driveway & walkway, shoveled the snow, cleaned the deck, etc, etc.

 

[CJ7VFR]

Is it gas or electric?

I have an electric pressure washer that I have had for almost 20 years now, and I use it every year in the springtime to clean off outdoor furniture, my deck, and other outside stuff. I also use it every spring to clean the underside of our vehicles to get the salt off as well as using it for general vehicle clean up all year long.

If the one you have is an electric one, they are usually less powerful, and as such, don't tend to blow the paint off of things like a gas one can.

Even if you do rent, being able to clean any outdoor stuff is great with a pressure washer. It will get things much cleaner than using a hose and brush. And it will be faster and use less water than using just the hose.

Jim

 

[redwrench60]

I am all the time using one to blast rust, crud, grease and oil off parts, tools or equipment. I quickly Clean caked on mud from the kid's boots, shoes, toys and outdoor gear. There's plenty of use for one once you get used to having one.

 

[lakeroadster]

Pressure wash your garage floor...

Wash bicycles

And just because you rent doesn't mean hosing off the deck wouldn't be a good idea.

 

[DetroitDIESEL444]

trailer decks, screen doors and window screens, ATV's and lawn equipment, driveways dirty engines, garage floors. I have an attachment for washing the underside of my vehicles. You just have to see!

 

[firworks]

Build a DIY Waterjet machine?

 

[michaelwolson]

Hmm we're like complete opposites. I would have loved to have gotten one for Christmas.

I use mine (free craigslist find) all the time to just clean random stuff. Basically anything I would normally use a hose for. Cars, bicycles, tools, outdoor storage containers, outdoor seating, driveway, boots, etc.

I rent my house also but I like keeping it clean and not looking like the "rental" house of the neighborhood. I'm renting from family right now but I've gotten stellar references from all of my previous landlords on how well I maintained the rental property.

I also like my privacy so I don't want a gardener/handyman/landlord checking out my house.

 

[engineer2]

I use mine for cleaning the BBQ grill once a year. Just drag it out onto the lawn so the grease won't get on anything.

Other things:
Car tires and rims, patio furniture, fire pit bowl, lawn mower deck, yard tools, my deck box that gets moldy every few years.

 

[Danglerb]

If its a nice one, keep it and you will find some uses.
If its a cheap electric, return it while you can and get something you like.

 

[captain14]

I last used mine To pressure wash 3 sheds prior to staining. Had that green color from mold on the north side plus it helped To loosen up and remove all the old stain.

 

[Firstram]

Build a pulse jet!

 

[pendragon1998]

I rent my house also but I like keeping it clean and not looking like the "rental" house of the neighborhood. I'm renting from family right now but I've gotten stellar references from all of my previous landlords on how well I maintained the rental property.

I also like my privacy so I don't want a gardener/handyman/landlord checking out my house.

Our whole street is rental units and the place has been mismanaged into the ground. We have had roads and yards torn up for a drainage installation for 8 months. The place looks like hell. I keep the yard mowed as best I can with all the construction debris in it, but the property managers don't give me a lot of motivation to do anything serious with the house. They have not lived up to their obligation to maintain the exterior or interior and I don't plan to be here much longer so I'm not going to go out of my way to help them out.

This is the house across the street. They left it like that for close to two months.

 

[kctyphoon]

Well two things - regardless if you own your house or rent it -- You STILL live in it.. if you desire some things to look a little better, a pressure washer can make a huge difference. Also - you just stated you don't plan on staying there.. so no telling where you might wind up. Don't get rid of it, don't kick the gift horse..

 

[txvwnut]

This is the garage journal you don't need a reason to own a tool.

That being said there's a guy on youtube that did some hydro forming of sheet metal with a pressure washer.

 

[C2tuck]

Yeah, like I said, my cars get a run through the $5 carwash every two months, whether they need it or not - lol. No muddy toys.

Wash your cars every two months?!? Guess I’m ****. Mine get washed at the very least every 2 weeks weather they need it or not. Clay bared and waxed every 6 months tops.

But I also power wash my house and driveway too...


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[michaelwolson]

Well thinking about it I went 30 years without one and my Dad's gone 64 years (and continuing) without one and we both work on a lot of tools/toys/yards/houses/etc so you most likely don't need it.

In reality it's only use is for cleaning outdoor items and, you are right, most of the time that's covered by the landlord not the tenant.

If the cash would be more useful you should definitely return it/sell it. You can always rent a massive one if the time ever comes where you need need it.

 

[Siding Pro]

I don't think there's really a hidden use for a pressure washer, it does one thing very well and that's cleaning up grimy disgusting things quickly and easily. I won't judge, I'm not exactly rushing out to buy one myself, but I'd use it if I got it for free. It'd be great to blast off the BBQ grills once in a while instead of scrubbing or using wire brushes/wheels.

 

[zendriver]

I'm sure your parents want you to have a GIFt that you can use take it back stop feeling guilty


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[MUD DAWG]

Wet T-shirt contests.

 

[kctyphoon]

You should post the model you have.. might make a difference of people's opinions if it's a $70 or $700 pressure washer..

 

[lonesouth]

shoot it into the air on nights below freezing for snow...Because Florida.

 

[tarmy]

I have two teenage boys...they clean up real good with the right nozzle.

Otherwise, they work great to clean pontoon boats, driveways, decks...etc.

I gotta look into the wet T shirt idea...I will get back to you on that. I think my oldest has a few girl friends...