Cut off all the hard work in washing windows and take out the pressure washer. Spray all over the window pane, and you’re done in minutes. Easy, right?
You have to be cautious when pressure washing windows. It’s not like cleaning a driveway or deck. If you apply too much pressure, glass can break.
Then how do you clean windows with a pressure washer? In this article, we’ll answer that, plus a handful of secondary questions.
Let’s get started!
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A decade of residential and commercial pressure washing led me to start JCS Refresh. Now I can share my knowledge with folks like you.
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Quick Answer
In case you’re in a hurry, here’s a quick answer to how to clean windows with a pressure washer.
- Review your windows (see whether they can be pressure washed or not).
- Prepare the space (remove any furniture and appliances).
- Set up the pressure washer (adjust the proper PSI and angle).
- Turn on the pressure washer (start spraying soapy water).
- Rinse it off (spray clean water).
Quick questions before starting
Before starting, let’s answer some questions:
Can you pressure wash windows? Yes, you can pressure wash windows. However, there’s a proper way of doing it. If done wrong, it can crack or break the glass.
How difficult is this to do? It lies in the medium to the somewhat challenging range for beginners. The difficulty is due to the care and precautions it requires.
How long does it take? It depends on how dirty your windows are and how many windows you have to wash. On average, cleaning all house windows can take 1 to 3 hours.
How much do materials cost?
- Soap: $20
- 40-degree spray nozzle: $10 to $12
- 60-degree spray nozzle: $10 to $12
Here’s how to clean windows with a pressure washer
Washing windows with a pressure washer is a 1-person task. It also doesn’t require much time if you do it correctly.
Here are five steps to pressure wash your windows.
1. Review your windows
Before starting, check if your windows should be pressure washed.
Not all windows can be pressure washed. You’ll have to review yours to see whether they can bear the strain. However, it’s not complicated and won’t take you more than 15 minutes.
Here are four things you have to look for:
- Check the putty (the place where the glass meets the frame). It should be intact.
- Caulking shouldn’t have any cracks or breaks.
- The glass shouldn’t have any cracks. Or else the pressure can break it.
- Pay special attention to putty if you have a wooden frame.
Don’t proceed if your windows are timeworn. A garden hose is safer and has less pressure.
2. Prepare the space
If your windows have passed the test, let’s proceed.
Start by preparing the space and protect nearby electric sockets nearby. If there are any electric devices, cover them with plastic. Also, remove any nearby furniture.
Lastly, add a weather strip to your windows to prevent water from entering your house.
3. Set up the pressure washer
Bring out your washer; we’ve got to prepare it for the job.
- Connect it to the water source and install the nozzle.
- Set the PSI. The optimum range for washing windows is 1000 to 2000 PSI.
- Adjust the spray angle to a minimum of 40 degrees and a maximum of 60 degrees.
Test the pressure on the ground first. Then, if it seems too much or too less, adjust accordingly.
Don’t go over 2000 PSI because it can crack or break the windows.
Look for a pressure washer-compatible soap having sodium lauryl sulfate and ammonia, then add the soap or detergent to the soap reservoir. However, if your machine doesn’t have the reservoir, you’ll manually have to do this job.
Check out this article if you don’t know how to use a pressure washer.
4. Turn on the pressure washer
Now we’re starting to wash the windows. Don’t just splash the water around. There are certain things to remember:
- Don’t stand close to the window. Stand 10 to 12 inches away.
- Never put water straight onto the window. Spray obliquely.
- Start spraying the soapy water at the edges and move towards the center.
If your pressure washer doesn’t have a soap reservoir, put the soap on the windows using a sponge and rinse in the end with a pressure washer.
5. Rinse it off
Once your window is fully covered in soapy water, quickly turn off the reservoir and spray clean water onto the window. You must be quick here, or the soap will dry and leave stains.
Make sure to rinse from top to bottom. The opposite will leave your window with streaks and stains of soapy water.
Wipe the excess water from the sides of your window to prevent molds and damage to putty.
Safety Considerations
Pressure washing isn’t a complicated process. However, as a beginner, you should follow some safety precautions.
1. Don’t use a ladder
For washing second-story windows, use an extension nozzle. A ladder isn’t safe at all. The pressure from the hose can make you lose your balance and potentially send you flying.
2. Optimum PSI and angle
- PSI: 1000 to 2000
- Spray angle: 30 to 60 degrees
- Stay within this range to avoid damaging your windows.
Tip for Beginners: Here’s a simple trick to almost eliminate the chances of damage. Start with the lowest pressure and the widest angle possible. Then, see if it works, and slowly increase the pressure and decrease the angle if needed.
3. Look for cracks
If the window pane is cracked, you can’t wash it with a pressure washer (the glass can break). So if any cracks or breaks are in the putty, fill them before.
Frequently asked questions
Here are some questions beginners frequently ask, so let’s answer them.
Why do people say you should never pressure wash windows?
Pressure washing your windows can do more harm than good if you don’t know how to do it. The pressure can crack or shatter the glass, so beginners should be cautious.
How much PSI do you need to clean windows?
1000 to 2000 PSI will work well and won’t damage your window.
Can you use a 2000 PSI pressure washer on windows?
Yes, you can use 2000 PSI on windows. However, we suggest starting from 1500 PSI and slowly increasing it if needed.
What soap should I use when pressure washing windows?
Not all soaps are compatible with a pressure washer. Look for a soap having sodium lauryl sulfate and ammonia.
Can you power wash windows?
Power washing isn’t the same as pressure washing. It involves steam which is sprayed with higher pressure than pressure washers. So power washing windows isn’t safe at all.
Conclusion
We hope you know how to clean windows with a pressure washer.
Remember to not go above 2000 PSI, and don’t reduce the angle to less than 40 degrees. Spray the water at an angle and from a distance.
By following this method, you’ll be able to pressure wash your windows safely. Thank you for staying with us till the end.
