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A few years ago, I might've called my hobby of going through before-and-after power washing pics my guilty pleasure. But now? Not so much. I need a more accurate term; this seemingly mundane activity has become the king of the 'oddly satisfying' genre. A sort of internet culture mainstream, if you will.

I'd like Bored Panda to take some credit for it, after all, we've shown how much pleasure cleaning can bring numerous times (for example, here, here, and here). But this time, we're mostly just the middlemen, and the majority of the praise should go to this subreddit.

With that being said, we did scroll through its posts far and wide to select the very best this online community has to offer, and believe me, when you're talking about 1.135 million power washing aficionados, there's plenty of content to scour through. From forgotten benches to neglected patios, and old town squares, here are some of the best pictures we've found!

#1

Power Washed Birds, Butterflies, And Flowers On A Dirty Driveways (By Dianna Wood)

Power Washed Birds, Butterflies, And Flowers On A Dirty Driveways (By Dianna Wood)

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KJ
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That takes some skill, especially to be able to shade accurately.

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#2

That Was A Big Old Job

That Was A Big Old Job

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Izzy_
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Is anyone else getting the urge to get a power washer and go around town to wash things, just from these images?? The results are satisfying and amazing

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For Bored Panda's earlier piece on this topic, my colleague Jonas spoke to Stephen, a man from Dublin who runs 'The Poerwash Man.'

He was kind enough to tell us all about his job.

"The worst gardens we deal with are gardens without drainage, as we use quite a lot of water and without drainage floods the whole area," he explained.

However, Stephen noted that they’ve overcome this problem by bringing in a new piece of equipment, so it’s no longer much of an issue. There are other challenges that power washers like Stephen face, though. Issues that garden owners can help overcome with a bit of foresight.

#3

Photographer Uses A Pressure Washer To Create A Beautiful Mural On His Driveway

Photographer Uses A Pressure Washer To Create A Beautiful Mural On His Driveway

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Judo Flipped By Nobody
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is so cool! I cant even draw a hand or a face and then you have these amazingly skilled people out there.

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#4

Rescued An Old Rotten Outdoor Table (Pressure Wash, Dry, Sand, Oil)

Rescued An Old Rotten Outdoor Table (Pressure Wash, Dry, Sand, Oil)

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Estelle
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How satisfying did that feel at the end of this committed task? 😁

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#5

My Nan And Grandad's Patio Hasn’t Been Washed In Probably Over 30 Years. I’m 22 And Had No Idea It Was Colored. They Decide To Wash It Today And We’re Shocked

My Nan And Grandad's Patio Hasn’t Been Washed In Probably Over 30 Years. I’m 22 And Had No Idea It Was Colored. They Decide To Wash It Today And We’re Shocked

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"Other issues we have with gardens are the ones with weeds that haven't been taken care of in a long time," the power washing expert shared with Bored Panda. "What we do in these situations is we use an eco-friendly weedkiller, let that go to work, then come back a few days later to power wash."

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Stephen also said that business has been OK and the pandemic hasn't messed up things for him too much.

“For us, it's actually good that most people are at home and we can get to work with them being in the house,” he noted.

#7

Cleaned Up Years Worth Of Overgrowth On Walkway At My Parents. Two Hours Well Spent

Cleaned Up Years Worth Of Overgrowth On Walkway At My Parents. Two Hours Well Spent

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The pressure washing industry began in the late 1920s, but back then consumer products were not even remotely in the conversation. It was all about starting a business and making a living. But almost 100 years later, in 2014, and you'll find them in about 15 percent of American home garages and workshops.

This change may have been accelerated by the 'Do-It-Yourself' movement when home renovation and improvement shows have created a continent of consumers eager to tackle 'DIY' projects.

In addition to knocking down walls, learning to install floor tiles, and a myriad of other projects, people are pressure washing their houses, decks, fences... For about $150, almost anyone can be the proud owner of a pressure washer from a big box store. Whether or not the machine can actually clean anything is another different story.

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#9

Cleaning And Oiling My Cedar Cladding. The Transformation Is Amazing

Cleaning And Oiling My Cedar Cladding. The Transformation Is Amazing

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Lainie
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The most beautiful change is always when the wood is involved.

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#10

Cleaning Up The Old Camper With A Magic Eraser

Cleaning Up The Old Camper With A Magic Eraser

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#11

Another Day, Another Beautiful Path

Another Day, Another Beautiful Path

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#12

I'm A Little Speechless. I Genuinely Thought Our Patios And Paths Were Made With Brown Slabs

I'm A Little Speechless. I Genuinely Thought Our Patios And Paths Were Made With Brown Slabs

VulpixesAteMyBaby Report

#13

Tigerwood Deck Power Wash Before And After. Applied Penofin Brightener To Restore The Wood Balance

Tigerwood Deck Power Wash Before And After. Applied Penofin Brightener To Restore The Wood Balance

ashman77 Report

#14

My Company Is Renovating An Old Building. They Decided To Power Wash It Today

My Company Is Renovating An Old Building. They Decided To Power Wash It Today

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Andrew Gibb
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Always nice to see renovation rather than buildings being pulled down and some monstrosity put in it's place

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#16

The St. Pierre Church In Firminy, France, By Architect Le Corbusier, Got It's First Ever Power Wash

The St. Pierre Church In Firminy, France, By Architect Le Corbusier, Got It's First Ever Power Wash

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Hannah Edwards
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I find the building hideous, sorry Le Corbusier. A good jet wash did improve things slightly.

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#17

I Never Though My New House Was Whiteish

I Never Though My New House Was Whiteish

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#19

Boyfriend Finally Let Me Break Out The Power Washer On The Steps. They Were Nasty

Boyfriend Finally Let Me Break Out The Power Washer On The Steps. They Were Nasty

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#22

Who Knew That Was Under There? Asked To Clean The Mono-Block Only, Hopefully Asked Back To Do The Wall At Some Point

Who Knew That Was Under There? Asked To Clean The Mono-Block Only, Hopefully Asked Back To Do The Wall At Some Point

Jordibhoy Report

#23

We've Lived Here For 15 Years And We Never Touched These Steps. I'm Addicted To This Power Washing Stuff

We've Lived Here For 15 Years And We Never Touched These Steps. I'm Addicted To This Power Washing Stuff

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#24

Before And After

Before And After

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Bill
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

DON'T DO THIS UNLESS YOU HAVE BEEN TRAINED. You can damage headstones really easy

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#26

Power Washing, Sanding, And Oil This Weekend On 20-Year-Old Teak

Power Washing, Sanding, And Oil This Weekend On 20-Year-Old Teak

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Monique Reed
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If it's real teak and you take care of it, that bench has another hundred years in it, easily.

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#27

Picked This Beauty Up Off The Curb. I Need To Get A Good Sealant On It To Keep It Looking Bright

Picked This Beauty Up Off The Curb. I Need To Get A Good Sealant On It To Keep It Looking Bright

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Larry Coolidge
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Be careful not to damage the wood. Olympic makes a "deck cleaner" your spray on wood decks and furniture. Follow the instructions and use a low-pressure nozzle so you don't damage the furniture. Cedar is a softwood. Just an FYI from experience.

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#28

It Was Looking Kinda Rough

It Was Looking Kinda Rough

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#30

A Little Before And After Of A Cedar Sided Home Restoration. Low Pressure And Relying On The Right Chemicals For The Job. We Love Seeing Jobs Turn Out This Good

A Little Before And After Of A Cedar Sided Home Restoration. Low Pressure And Relying On The Right Chemicals For The Job. We Love Seeing Jobs Turn Out This Good

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#31

Awning In Downtown

Awning In Downtown

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13
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

With a pressure washer??? They'll be lucky if that thing lasts another winter.

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saturnslipper
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yikes! It Used To match the brick and the shop. Now it stands out like a red thumb.🤭

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#32

So Anyway, I Started Blasting

So Anyway, I Started Blasting

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Scagsy
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I had a friend who really, really liked tractors. Suddenly one day he didn't like them anymore. Now he's an-ex tractor fan.

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#33

A Freshly Power Washed Wall vs. Decades Of Grime

A Freshly Power Washed Wall vs. Decades Of Grime

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#34

Saw This Water Tower Getting The Pressure Washing Treatment. I Watched Longer Than I Care To Admit

Saw This Water Tower Getting The Pressure Washing Treatment. I Watched Longer Than I Care To Admit

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#37

The Other Day I Posted About A Job That Was Keeping Me Discouraged, A Real Doozy Of A Job With No Drainage Areas. Figured I'd Share Some Pictures Of The Job

The Other Day I Posted About A Job That Was Keeping Me Discouraged, A Real Doozy Of A Job With No Drainage Areas. Figured I'd Share Some Pictures Of The Job

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Andy Acceber
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Too much pressure washing! I hope you filled in those spaces between the bricks.

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#39

I Was Almost Drooling When This Client Asked For An Estimate

I Was Almost Drooling When This Client Asked For An Estimate

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#40

Today I Learned That Our Retaining Wall Is Brown, Not Black

Today I Learned That Our Retaining Wall Is Brown, Not Black

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#41

If Your Wife Isn't Sure That Power Washing The Fence Is Worth It, Then 'Accidentally' Clean Your Shovel When It's Leaning Up Against The Fence

If Your Wife Isn't Sure That Power Washing The Fence Is Worth It, Then 'Accidentally' Clean Your Shovel When It's Leaning Up Against The Fence

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#42

An Auction Find That Was Then Used In The Yard. So Pretty Now

An Auction Find That Was Then Used In The Yard. So Pretty Now

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#43

First Wash After 20+ Years

First Wash After 20+ Years

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Caroline
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In this case I actually like the before than after. It's a great job, but looks so out of place, lost its character.

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#44

Power Washing The Patio Table Produced Some Satisfying Results

Power Washing The Patio Table Produced Some Satisfying Results

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#45

Graffiti On Granite, Before And After. Kyiv, Ukraine

Graffiti On Granite, Before And After. Kyiv, Ukraine

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A B C
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Can anyone make more sense of what's written in green? To me it looks like "Вступай вакс", which would mean "join the wax", which *almost* makes sense, but doesn't.

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#46

Should Have Went To College But This Will Do For Now

Should Have Went To College But This Will Do For Now

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#48

My Job Today

My Job Today

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Caroline
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is great! It's safer when the signs are more clear to see.

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#49

Today's Clean Before/After

Today's Clean Before/After

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Jennifer Casey
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Very nice. I would love to make me a greenhouse, and have another garden. I had a huge garden in Washington state, excellent soil. South Texas you have got to put so much work into building up your soil before you can even plant most things.

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#50

I Know I'll Have To Wash It Again Soon, But This Felt Very Cathartic. Stupid Ash

I Know I'll Have To Wash It Again Soon, But This Felt Very Cathartic. Stupid Ash

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Note: this post originally had 120 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.