5 Pressure Washer Tips for Cleaning Area Rugs

A pressure washer is a device that uses water at high pressure to clean surfaces. Pressure washers can be used to remove dirt and stains from many different types of surfaces, including cars, houses, decks, lawn furniture, boats, and even area rugs.

A pressure washer works by propelling pressurized water through the nozzle. This creates a powerful spray that loosens dried material on the surface being cleaned and then scrubs it away using mechanical action. It also removes any mold or mildew spores that may have been missed during routine cleaning because they’re difficult to see with the naked eye and hidden deep within porous materials such as wood decking or carpeting.

The procedure for using a pressure washer to clean an area rug is similar to that used for other surfaces. Before applying the water spray, always make sure you wear protective gear including a hat, ear, and eye protection, and rubber gloves to protect yourself from flying debris.

Remember that the water spray can cause injury if it hits an individual in the face or eyes, simply by bouncing off walls or other surrounding objects. The water spray can also cause damage to the area rug by stripping away fibers.

The following are five pressure washer tips for cleaning rugs:

1) Bend the nozzle

A properly functioning pressure washer will have a swiveling spray tip that allows you to direct the water exactly where it needs to go and at the right angle. If you’re trying to clean an area rug that’s on the floor, you may need to bend the nozzle so that it points directly down. This allows water to reach all surfaces of the rug, including under it where dirt and debris are most likely to accumulate.

2) Pressure washers with wheels

If you’re working with a large area rug (such as one for a living room), you may have trouble keeping the nozzle directly in place while also keeping track of the area you’ve already cleaned. Consider using a pressure washer with wheels so that you can move around freely and clean one section of the rug at a time, ensuring that each is completely clean before moving on to the next.

3) Pressure levels

Most pressure washer manufacturers specify the maximum safe operating pressure for their products. This is usually somewhere between 3000 and 3500 PSI (pounds per square inch). The higher the pressure, the more powerful the spray will be. This may not be desirable when working with an area rug because high-pressure water can strip fibers off of it, leaving them vulnerable to mold and mildew.

4) Pre-treat the rug

clean area rug with pressure washer

Use a garden hose with a high-pressure nozzle to pre-t treat any stains or heavily soiled areas on the rug before moving it onto a pressure washer for cleaning. This will get rid of general dirt and grime that would otherwise be blasted into the air and end up back on the rug, rather than off of it.

5) Use a soap solution

If you’re dealing with an old or very dirty area rug, consider adding a small amount of mild soap to the water spray before cleaning. This helps loosen the dirt and debris, making it easier to remove. Also, make sure any detergent you use is safe for the rug’s material. You may want to read your warranty information or contact the manufacturer before applying soap in case it avoids any type of coverage.

Conclusion

These pressure washer tips for cleaning area rugs will help you get the job done quickly and efficiently. Pressure washers are also often used to clean area rugs because they can remove dirt, stains, and mold or mildew that may have been missed during routine cleaning due to their hidden nature. If you want a deep cleaner than just your traditional household vacuum cleaner alone offers, we recommend using a pressure washer on your rug before moving it into dry storage. Just be sure not to exceed any manufacturer’s recommended PSI (pounds per square inch) when working with an area rug so as not to cause damage by stripping away fibers from it – especially if it is old or very dirty!