Is it Safe to Pressure Wash Glass Windows?
Can You Clean Windows with a Pressure Washer?
Yes, you can use a pressure washer to clean glass windows, frames, and siding. However, you need to understand the correct way to perform this task to ensure no one is injured and no property is damaged.
For instance, don’t use your pressure washer from a ladder because you could easily risk falling off and suffering a severe injury. If you have to clean elevated windows on a 2+ story home or building, a better option would be adding a telescoping extension wand or using a 2nd story nozzle kit. Then you can remain stabilized on the ground while cleaning the elevated windows with the pressure washer.
What Type of Widows do You Have?
Do you have vinyl or aluminum-based window frames? Either way, they should remain undamaged from using the pressure washer on them. But the same cannot be said for wooden frames because they require sturdy weather stripping and caulking to stay protected from the pressure of the washer. So if you have wooden frames, check to ensure the glass and frame are tightly glazed together. Then, if you’re confident water won’t get through the window or frame, you can attempt to wash the windows in a low-pressure setting.
Do you have double-hung windows in your home? That’s okay because you can still wash them if you remove the screens first. Doing so ensures you can wash away debris from the entire glass area of the windows. And if you need to clean the screens, you can do so after removing them. Use a garden hose or low-pressure setting on the washer to independently clean the screens. Start by washing one side and then flip it over to wash the other side. Finally, put the screens outside on a clear day or in any breezy environment to air dry them.
Tips on Washing the Window Glass
First, focus on washing the visible debris and contaminants from the window glass, such as spider webs, flies, leaves, dirt, bugs, and other nasty items cluttering the view. Make sure you stand at least three feet away from the window glass when spraying it with the nozzle of the pressure washer. Start with the low-pressure setting to ensure your structure can handle the blast.
If your pressure washer is compatible with soap or detergent add-ins, please add your preferred soap or detergent to the machine. Then, spray the soapy water onto the window glass as needed in the low-pressure setting. But only do this to a few window glass panes at a time because you’ll need time to wash them clean with plain water before the soap suds dry.
Many pressure washers have two different nozzles: the black nozzle is for soap, and the white nozzle is for plain water. Use the black nozzle to soap up the window glass and the white nozzle to wash and rinse the remaining debris and soap from the windows. And, of course, stand at least three feet from the window as you spray it.
When you finish washing the windows, open them up to clean the window sills because there may be some traces of wet debris and dirt particles that dripped down on them. Clean any visible debris from the window sills and let them dry for a few hours by keeping the windows open. After the window glass and sills have dried, reinstall the screens in the frames. If you previously washed the screens, make sure they are dry before reinstalling them.
