A power washer is like a super-strong hose that sprays water really hard. It’s great for cleaning because it can get rid of dirt and yucky stuff fast. If your patio furniture covers are made waterproof to keep water out, using a power washer might be a bit risky.
The really strong spray of water can mess up the special layer on the covers that keeps water from getting through. This means after you use the power washer, the covers might not be as good at keeping your furniture dry anymore.
So, when you hit your patio furniture covers with that powerful spray from the power washer, you’re giving them a good clean, but you might also be giving them a bit of trouble. That trouble comes because the strong water can break down or wash away the cover’s protective layer that stops water from soaking in.
Think of it like this: If you have a shield that keeps you dry in the rain (like your cover does for your furniture), using the power washer is like throwing rocks at the shield. It might still work, but if you keep hitting it with rocks, it’s going to get damaged and let some water through next time it rains.
After you’ve used the power washer, your covers might not be as great at keeping rain or morning dew from soaking into your furniture. They could start letting some water through because the protective layer got weakened or damaged by the power washer. It’s a bit like when a raincoat starts to let water in because it’s old or got damaged; it doesn’t keep you as dry as it used to.
So, it’s a good idea to be careful if you’re thinking about using a power washer on your waterproof patio furniture covers. You want to keep them working well at keeping your furniture dry, without accidentally making them less good at their job.
Read related article: Outdoor Furniture Covers Are Machine Washable (But Beware)
Before You Power Wash, Consider The Material of The Cover
When you’re thinking about cleaning your patio furniture covers with a power washer, it’s like deciding if you should use a big, powerful hose on something that’s a bit delicate.
Yes, polyester and vinyl are tough in a lot of ways and do a great job at keeping your furniture dry under normal rain. But when you hit them with the really high pressure from a power washer, it’s a whole different story.
That high-pressure water can be too rough on the materials. Imagine spraying a super-strong water jet at a raincoat. It might clean off the mud, but it could also hurt the coat’s ability to keep you dry next time. The same goes for your furniture covers.
The power washer might clean them real good, but it could also damage that invisible shield they have that stops water from getting in. This shield isn’t just on the surface; it’s built into the fabric, making it tough against water.
But if the power washer breaks it down, water might start to seep through when it rains, and that’s not what you want.
So, before you go all out with a power washer, think about what your covers are made of and whether they can handle that kind of tough love. Sometimes, a gentler clean might be better to keep them working right at keeping your furniture dry and cozy.
My Simple Tip For Using a Power Washer
If you really need to use a power washer because there’s a dirty spot on your patio furniture cover, try not to spray the whole thing. Just aim at the dirty spot you need to clean.
This way, you’re not hitting the entire cover with that super strong water spray, which can be tough on the cover’s material and its special layer that keeps water out. By only cleaning the spot that needs it, you protect most of the cover from the harsh blast of the power washer, keeping it in better shape to keep your furniture dry.
Doing it this way is kind of like spot cleaning a stain on your favorite shirt instead of throwing it into a heavy wash cycle when it’s not necessary. You’re focusing on the problem area without exposing the whole item to potential wear and tear.
This targeted approach means less risk of wearing out or damaging the water-repellent features of your cover. It’s a careful, smart move to make sure your cover lasts longer and continues to do its job well.
Remember, even when you’re spot cleaning with a power washer, keep the pressure on the lower side if you can adjust it, and don’t hold the nozzle too close to the fabric. A bit of distance helps reduce the force hitting the cover. After you’re done with the spot cleaning, let the cover dry completely.
If you think the water-repellency has been affected, applying a water-repellent spray to the cleaned area (once dry) can help maintain its protective qualities. This careful, focused approach helps keep your patio furniture cover in good shape, ready to protect your furniture from rain and spills without unnecessary wear.
Set The Pressure Wash To The Lowest Setting
Alright, when you’re using the power washer, turn it down to the lowest setting. This means you’re making the water spray out gently instead of blasting out super hard.
It’s like using a light sprinkle instead of a heavy hose down. This way, you clean without causing any damage.
By keeping the pressure low, it’s like you’re being extra gentle with your patio furniture covers. You’re still getting them clean, but you’re not hitting them so hard that you might hurt the fabric or strip off the stuff that keeps water from soaking in.
Think of it as the difference between tapping someone on the shoulder versus giving them a big shove. You’re just giving your covers a little nudge to get the dirt off without going overboard.
This gentle approach helps make sure your covers stay in good shape, ready to keep your furniture dry and cozy for a long time.
Taking Care of Your Covers After Washing
So, you went ahead and used a power washer on your patio furniture covers. After doing that, they might not keep water out as well as they used to. But don’t worry, you can fix it!
There are sprays and treatments you can buy that make fabric keep water out again.
Once your covers are dry from the washing, you can spray this stuff on them pretty easily. But, here’s a tip: always check what the company that made your covers says about how to take care of them.
You don’t want to mess up and do something that could ruin your covers or make their warranty not work anymore.
But remember, before you go spraying anything, take a minute to look at the instructions that came with your covers, or maybe check the website of the company that made them.
They’ll tell you the best way to look after your covers so you don’t accidentally do something that could damage them. Plus, you want to make sure you don’t do anything that could make your warranty invalid.
That warranty is like a promise from the company that your covers will last a long time, but if you don’t follow their rules, they might not help you out if something goes wrong.
Conclusion
Alright, wrapping it up simply: Yes, you can clean your waterproof patio furniture covers with a power washer, but you gotta be careful.
The super strong spray from the power washer can mess up the material or the special layer that keeps the covers waterproof. If you’re gonna use a power washer, try just to clean the spots that are dirty instead of the whole cover.
This way, you don’t risk damaging the whole thing. And, always do what the instructions say so you don’t mess up your warranty. If after cleaning, the cover doesn’t seem to keep water out as well, you might need to spray it with something to make it waterproof again.
Being careful with how you clean your covers means they’ll keep your furniture dry and last a lot longer.