This is a step-by-step guide to safely clean the glass on the windows of your home with a pressure washer. There is no need to hire expensive window cleaning services when you can complete this task yourself quickly and easily. The pump uses high-pressure water to flush out dirt and grime, but it relies on detergent to loosen stubborn dried soils that may be stuck to your windows.
The tools you will need to clean house windows with a pressure washer are:
- High-pressure spray nozzle
- Detergent bottle
- Ladder or step stool
- Window squeegee
There are four steps to cleaning the glass on your home’s windows with a pressure washer. You can adjust the water and soap dilution ratio, depending on how dirty the glass is, but this is an end-to-end guide for using a power washer safely on your home’s windows.
Step 1: Mix the detergent with water in the detergent bottle.
Start at the top of your window, laying down some soapy suds. This part of this process will get you wet! Hereafter referred to as “soap up.” Soap up all four sides of each pane of glass before you move on to the next one.
Step 2: Pressure Wash the Soap Off of Each pane of glass.
Use the pressure washer’s spray nozzle to clean each pane of glass from its top edge down, rinsing off any residue that remains as you go. You may need to adjust the angle of your sprayer wand for this step – you want a gentle flow of water, not a sharp stream.
Step 3: Squeegee the windows dry.
Use your window squeegee to dry and buff each pane of glass before moving on to the next one. Ensure all of the water has been removed from behind and under each piece of glass before you start squeegeeing – if there is still standing water present, it will be pushed out from behind, which can cause damage to surrounding windows or walls. This is one reason you start this job at the top and work your way down.
Step 4: Use your ladder or step stool to move onto the next level of windows
Use a towel or cloth to dry off any glass that you could not reach with the pressure washer, such as underneath sills and inside corners. This can quickly be done by climbing onto your ladder and reaching up to each window pane from above. If you only clean the exterior of the windows in this step, make sure to wear protective eyewear in case anything falls from them while they are wet.
There is no need to hire expensive window cleaning services when you can complete this task yourself quickly and easily!
5 Tips For Cleaning Windows With Pressure Washer
Here are 5 Tips for Cleaning your Windows with a Pressure Washer.
1 – Detergent Ratio:
The more soap you add, the cleaner they will get. The more soap you add, the longer it takes to dry, too. If you want them immaculate, go with 1/2 cup of soap per gallon of water. If you are more concerned with speed, use 1/4 cup of soap per gallon of water. On my machines, I use a 1/4 cup of soap per gallon.
2 – Use a Window Squeegee:
A regular brush won’t work because water runs down the window, and it will not get all the dirt off. A squeegee works excellent, and you don’t have to bend over as much.
3 – Keep the Pressure Washer Moving:
Don’t stop and start because you will leave streaks. If you keep the washer moving, it won’t go in line. You might want to test your windows before doing them all because if there is any dirt on them, stopping and starting will worsen.
4 – Clean the Sills:
We recommend that you clean the outside of the windows and then clean the inside of the windows on a ladder or standing on your deck or patio. This way, if any dirt falls from them when they are wet, it will not damage anything below them. If you choose to go this route, make sure you are very careful.
5 – Protect Nearby Items:
If there are items close to the windows, make sure you move them before starting. Even if they are outside, water can run down the window and onto them, which will damage them or ruin their finish. It would help if you also taped off any lovely landscaping near your house take care of the lawn, trees, cars with your pressure washer before using it on the windows. It is not that hard to do and takes a few minutes of extra time.
Final Thoughts – Using Pressure Washer For Windows
Use these tips, and you will be delighted with your results.
To summarize, the two most essential parts of adequately cleaning house windows with a pressure washer are:
- Start at the top and work down; and
- Use a squeegee to remove water from behind and under panes of glass.
If you follow these two rules and adjust your soaping ratio to your preference, you will clean windows faster and better than ever before!
If you are not afraid of your pressure washer, you should have no problems cleaning all your windows. Once they are clean, it is well worth the time to do them instead of spending money on a window company that will just get scratched up again. It is not that hard to clean your windows with a pressure washer. Just follow the instructions, and you will be good.
