The most wonderful time of the year can also be the most wonderful time for pressure washing. Perhaps this Yuletide, you’ve given your home a fresh makeover so that all those decorations could shine better. Before you wash them to save them for another season, though, take a look at this blogpost to be reminded about some of the caveats.
Washable: Grill
The Christmas barbecue with your family and friends can be a lovely tradition, and it’s often a delight to watch the outdoor grill be washed clean of all the black smudges. Grill grates are typically robust enough to withstand the powerful levels of psi (pounds per square inch) exerted by pressure washers. Of course, remember to unplug the grill before having it washed, since having water splashing near a running electric machine is a serious safety hazard.
Non-washable: Christmas tree
Outdoor Christmas trees can dazzle the passersby wondrously. However, the blast of a pressure washer can injure the flora, not to mention strip them of their beautiful leaves. Even if your tree is an artificial one, it’s crucial to take the time prior to the wash to find out how strong the tree is. A much better way to clean a tree is doing it with a regular hose. And of course, make sure that there are no bulbs on the tree, so that no glass cracks during the wash. (For a pre-lit tree, also remember to take the lights off first.)
Washable: Driveway
Your driveway is like a giant canvas; the sheer vastness of the area offers a good amount of negative space for the eye to wander. But if your magi and livestock arrive at the Nativity scene while the driveway is filled with unsightly leaves and mulch, all that negative space can easily become a big ole’ distraction and counteract the effects of the decorations. Tackling those nooks and crannies goes a long way!
Non-washable: Delicate decorations
The electric-lit reindeer and sleigh are evidently not good candidates for being pressure-washed. But the same goes for the less obvious examples: the inflatable Santa (which can get punctured), the papier-mâché snowflakes, the cardboard Grinch, wreaths, and ribbons. Some of the hardier pieces may be eligible, however. Those porcelain elves and garden gnomes can be pressure-washed; the massive candy canes made of plastic, the wooden shed framing the Nativity scene, and those stainless steel gift box sculptures should all be safe for pressure washing.
Conclusion
There are other precautions to take when putting soap and water all over the angels, Santa’s helpers, Scrooge, and Rudolph. If you’re in doubt about whether to have something pressure-washed, there’s no need to scroll down on online searches endlessly; simply consult the professionals at Oceanside Pressure Washing and Roof Cleaning LLC!
