How to Turn a Garden Hose Into a Pressure Washer
I can hardly be called a goddess of the hearth – I hate cleaning , I am a non-interventionist in cleaning and do not get pleasure from a job well done cleaning the toilet . But sometimes, as Mary Poppins says, when there’s work to be done, there’s an element of fun. Remember my favorite procrastination tool: TikTok cleaning hacks like this one that turns a hose and some soap into a pressure washer.
How to Clean Anything with a Hose and Soap, According to TikTok
TikTok creator @ocwarrior19 (listed name: SuzyQ) needs a carpet cleaning. She lays it out in the driveway. She takes the outer hose, bends it about two feet from the working end, pours in what looks like dishwashing detergent, attaches the spray nozzle, and turns on the water. She splashes on the carpet, and soapy water flows from the hose. She keeps splashing until the water is clear. She then pours water on the carpet until the soap is rinsed off. She then throws a rug over a chair to dry in the sun. (The voice-over notes that she also used this method to clean her children’s plastic toys.)
Commenters on the video noted that you can buy soap dispensers for your hose, if not a dedicated washing machine. To these people I say: That’s why they call it a hack.
Does it really work?
I recently tried this method myself. I didn’t have a mat to clean, but I just took my dog to the park where he played his favorite game, Killer Victim, in which you have to lie on the ground for hours to be falsely bitten by another dog. She was a dusty, drooling, happy puppy, and I was ready to ruin her fun by lifting her up nicely.
It was a warm day and I have a hose nozzle with a “fog” setting so it’s not too much for my cute fluffy baby. I removed the spout and decided to pour the puppy shampoo directly into it instead of the folded hose; otherwise, I proceeded as shown in the video. The dog cringed in sadness at being hosed down, but it seemed to work: soap came out first, then clean water, as promised.
My neighbor passed by with her dog. “Here’s how to do it!” she wondered. “I learned this trick from the Internet!” I told her because I’m young and in touch with the TikTok generation. My neighbor walked away looking impressed.
Then I’ll fill my hose with dishwashing liquid to clean up my sticky pollen-covered plastic garden chairs. I’m also thinking about taking the shelves out of the fridge and cleaning them thoroughly, but I’m not quite ready yet. Maybe next year.
Important Considerations
Be aware that your area may have a drainage system that flows directly into natural bodies of water – some drains in my area say “rainwater only” because they drain directly into wildlife streams. It is unlikely to be environmentally friendly to contaminate such drains with soapy water and may even be illegal, so find out if biodegradable or other types of natural cleaners are allowed before spraying.
Also make sure the soap you are using is suitable for the cleaner. Dishwashing detergent works wonders for many things, but is not suitable for all surfaces, including some carpets. Also, make sure you remove the soap completely before using the hose to water plants, people, or pets. There is nothing more pleasant than drinking from a hose on a hot day, and nothing less pleasant than a refreshing sip of soap.