When it comes to cleaning your deck, nothing beats the power of a pressure washer. You could spend hours scrubbing your deck by hand, but it’ll likely take longer and the results may not be as good as you would hope.

It also requires a lot of physical exertion, so you may end up with sore muscles the day afterward. A professional car detailer, on the other hand, is an expert at using a pressure washer and can clean your deck in far less time with significantly better results (assuming they’re standing at the right distance, aiming at the correct angle, etc.).

Before you start washing your deck, make sure that the nozzle of your pressure washer is attached to a soap-dispensing tip (if applicable) or the widest available nozzle and that it is in a safe position pointing away from people and windows. When you engage the trigger, make sure to begin with a low water pressure in a test area before moving on to the surface of your deck.

Always spray your deck in the direction of the wood grain, and don’t move the nozzle back and forth or in a zigzag pattern, which can cause wood fibers to be scored and damaged. Then, simply rinse the deck with clean water and let it dry completely. A freshly cleaned deck will greatly improve your home’s resale value. For more tips on how to clean your deck with a pressure washer, we spoke to John Amabile, owner of A&J Power Washing in Staten Island, New York. clean deck with pressure washer