A clean driveway looks better and lasts longer. Dirt and moss can make a concrete driveway slippery. Ignored organic litter or grease marks lead to sidewalk stains that affect your home's whole aesthetic. But with the high-pressure spray of a power washer or pressure washer, you can make this exterior cleaning process a breeze.

Note that power washing and pressure washing are often used interchangeably. But if we're getting technical, power washing blasts stains and grime with hot water or steam while pressure washing uses cold water. You can find gas or electric pressure washers with competitive pricing for both your own or for professional cleaning.

What to Do, What Not to Do

Best Practices:

• Start with a low-pressure cleaning and the larger nozzle size (25-degree nozzle, or wider angle) and work your way up to a stronger setting as needed.
• Never use a zero-degree, pinpoint nozzle. Yes, it's fun to blast in cursive, but there will be evidence of your penmanship for years.
• Use hot water power washing to remove rock salt, oil stains, and mineral buildup.
• Tidy the entire driveway with a deck brush to remove large debris and dirt buildup instead of washing it into the grass lining your driveway.
• The ideal time of day is morning or evening on warm days, so water doesn’t evaporate too fast and leave cleaning solvent residue.

Avoid These Mistakes:

• Spraying down exterior surfaces in freezing temperatures can cause ice that damages the surface
• Using too much water pressure or the wrong nozzle—this can etch concrete and strip the coat of sealer
• Skipping a surface cleaner—plain water won’t remove deep stains
• Holding the high-pressure nozzle too close—this can cause streaks or damage

Hiring a Pro vs. DIY

Doing it yourself saves money, but hiring a power washing service might be worth it, especially for tough stains or driveways with a high square footage.

Hiring a Pressure Washing Company:

• The national average cost of pressure washing: $150–$400, depending on driveway size and stain severity. Expect a base fee and additional costs for larger driveways (either linear foot or square foot).
• Package deals that include gutter cleaning, wooden decks, or vinyl siding might make it easier for you to stomach the cost
• Professional power washers will work faster and reduce the risk of damage.
• Their commercial-grade equipment has more high-pressure water settings. They generally have more luck with stubborn stains and can give you advice to avoid future stains.

DIY Costs:

• Renting a power/pressure washer: $30–$100 per day (plus extra safety precautions, i.e. safety goggles) "Pressure washers are one of our top rentals year-round," said Tony English, Senior Merchant, The Home Depot Rental. "Customers often rent them for quick weekend projects like cleaning sidewalks, decks, and patio furniture. It's a sensible option for homeowners, as they're easy to rent hourly or for the full day and can range in price from $30 to $100 at The Home Depot Rental."
• Owning your own machine ($100–$500+) lets you power wash gutters, tackle roof washing, vinyl surfaces, your entire patio, and other outdoor surfaces
• Cleaning solution: $10–$30
• The regular cleaning process is easy to learn but it's important to learn the correct pressure to avoid potential damage to your driveway surface.

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FAQ

How often should I power wash my driveway?

Most types of driveways would benefit from a deep cleaning twice a year. We like cleaning the entire surface in the late spring to remove rock salt and winter dirt buildup (rock salt that carries in from the roads can be really damaging). Doing it again in the fall helps to clear away leaf stains, bird poop, etc. If you have heavy traffic, lots of trees, or do a lot of DIY car maintenance (that might result in oil stains), washing it twice a year is a good idea.

Can I use bleach to clean my driveway?

Yes, but it should be diluted and rinsed thoroughly. Using straight bleach to get a clean surface can cause permanent damage. A concrete detergent or driveway cleaner is usually safer. There are biodegradable detergents we've tried that are less likely to to cause long-term damage to grass or plants lining the concrete surface.

Will power washing remove all stains?

Pressure washers are good for quick cleaning while power washers offer a deeper cleaning method. Even so, deep grease stains or rust may need extra treatment. Try a degreaser or a concrete cleaning solution before washing.

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