House Washing Wednesday: DIY home owned pressure washer

House Washing Wednesday; DIY the home owned pressure washer 

Since we are in the business we're asked by friends and family and even the occasional customer, "I have a pressure washer why can't I wash my own house?". My answer is always the same you can wash your own house....... but why? I can do it quicker, better, and save you time and money. How are we going to do that? When I can doing it for nothing and already have a pressure washer.

I remember as a kid or a teenager a man once told me he never washed his own car or cut his own grass. Now when I grew up everyone did these thing them selves I could not understand what he had just told me. Well the dumb look on my must have told him something because he went on to explain. You see he continued I'm a business man I get paid for results without results I am not worth anything. I can pay you or some one else 5 to 10 dollars to wash my car or a bit more to cut my lawn, that would mean I am only worth that same price and I make more than that. I'm still not quite following at this point I hope you got it already. Then I asked but if you aren't doing any thing won't doing it yourself save you money? He then said something profound which has stuck with me to this day. Ok son let me put it this way I average $23.00 dollars and hour (this was back in the '60s) and even if I am doing nothing I am still worth $23.00 dollars and hour. The guy who washes my car is worth $4.00 and hour and the one that cuts the grass is worth $5.00 and hour if I do it myself I loose money and it is not as good of job now do you see. Well to tell you the truth then I didn't see, it took a bit more life to see what this gentleman was explaining to me.

So to these folks I alway say your time is your money I can save you some of it but if you want go a head and do it yourself (DIY) go for it. As for that little electric washer or that little box store gas power washer you have it will not do the job I can do with my equipment, but I'm not tell you not to.

To the average DYI home owner the pressure washer is a little magic box with a magic wand attached to it. You can simply wave it around and poof the house is clean, the car is clean, the deck is clean. It only sets in about an hour into the job, that it is not coming clean! Well maybe some soap and scrub it in so out comes the ladder and into the washroom for momma's dish soap, the laundry soap, the finger nail brush, the toilet brush might work lets take it too, and out to the garage for the push broom for those hard to reach areas. Now since you're using all this it adds to the cost of the free DIY house wash. Beside that momma's mad and has to buy a new toilet and finger nail brush, not to mention the big cooking pot you borrowed form her kitchen to put you DIY soap mixture  in, let's not talk about that at all bad subject. Leaning out off the ladder or trying to reach areas with the broom to scrub is still not getting it clean. We'll need to climb to the top of the ladder now, so we can reach it with the pressure washer little wand. Beside putting your self at risk of falling off the ladder or while on the ladder loosing control of the wand of the pressure washer could cause you to fall. You could inflict great harm on your self on anyone who passes by with the stream of water since it is on high to reach those hard to get spots. Off to the store to buy a pump up sprayer you'll use it for other thing it might help get soap up there. Meanwhile the soap is drying on the house cause you were using the narrow stream to try to clean not rinse, lets add the sprayer to the cost, time to go get it, gas to go get it to the cost of the no cost DIY house wash is growing. Back home you get right after he house washing again and daylight is running out, no problem you'll finish it tomorrow.

So your time is not worth anything! What you accomplished was not quite the stellar job you had envisioned but you DIY. Standing back and looking you can say well it looks a little better but did you really save any money you spent money and it took you all weekend but your time is not worth anything, and you made momma mad she is still not real happy. This week do you know what momma will do? Momma will call us and we will come out and try to fix what was done to the house it may take a little longer than it would have before but we'll get it done the right way.

Time is not free, pressure washers are wonderful tools not magic boxes they're tools and if you don't have the right one is does not work for that job. Its like using a tack hammer to pound in a t-post you may get it done but at what cost or using pliers to tighten up a bolt you may ruin it and tear it up or it never gets tight at all. Having the right pressure washer is only one part you must know how to and what to use to do the job safely. Let us help you, save some time and money by calling us at 417-459-7869 and let us do what we do best, washing you home, patio or what ever you need cleaned and washed. Cleaned by Pete you one stop for your cleaning and washing needs.

Let's kill that groundhog!

   Spring sprung and then faded into winter once again. The famous groundhog said this would not happen, well he was wrong and should be in the stew-pot about now. Posted pictures of work, on Wednesday and that has been the last nice day we've had. Since then 4 inches of snow on Friday, it has mostly melted today but temperatures still remain down in the mid to low 20s here at night, can not take the chance of freeze-ups with the equipment. Having to postpone nightly cleaning of side-walks and drive-thrus till maybe next Thursday first predicted night temperature above freezing. Sunday they say to look for 2 to 5 inch of snow mixed with freezing rain if the temperatures fall a bit. 

   So should we kill that groundhog? It won't make things any better it won't make winter subside, but it may take our minds of this extended winter, that we are working thru here in Southwest MO. There will be no new washing or cleaning pictures to look at, till the weather gets warmer, and cleaning and washing season starts up again.

   Thank you for your support and as always we invite you to visit our web-sites, read our blogs and see what Cleaned by Pete can do for you. Serving the Southwest MO and greater Springfield MO area call 417-459-7869 for a free prompt estimate on any of your cleaning / washing needs.

Now for those of you that may take the "groundhog matter" into your own hands here are a couple of recipes to help you out.

Woodchuck / Groundhog Stew

borrowed and printed from the Survivalist Boards.com web site

 http://www.survivalistboards.com/showthread.php?t=64326

-One woodchuck(Cleaned and trimmed- no offal, but you can leave in the kidney, liver and heart).
-2 tbs Flour, pinch of salt, pinch of brown sugar and pinch of paprika

-One green pepper
-One red pepper
-One large sweet onion
-One jalapeno or habenero(if you're feeling adventurous)
-3 tbs white pepper
-1 12 oz can of dark beer(Guiness works, I hate the taste of it when drinking, but in stews it can't be beaten)
-1/4 cup of your favourite bbq sauce(I use wegmans kansas style- dark, sweet and thick)

Dredge the woodchuck in beer and bbq sauce, and then dredge it in the flour mixture up top. toss in the bottom of your pot with a pat of butter to fry. Once it browns mostly, toss in your onion, let sit for a few minutes until your onions sweat. Toss in the rest of your vegetables and spices, then pour in your beer + bbq dredge, and whats left in your flour mixture. Let bubble for a bit until your beer has settled into a rather thick sauce. Pull out and eat with hot bread and butter and a cold one.

Or

Braised Groundhog Recipe 

borrowed and printed from the Food Republic web site 

  http://www.foodrepublic.com/2011/04/21/braised-groundhog-recipe

Time for a full disclosure. This is not the first groundhog I’ve eaten. As such, I’ve learned a few things along the way. Like, for instance, groundhogs have musk glands in their armpits. YOU MUST REMOVE THESE IF YOU DON'T WANT TO THROW UP FROM THE STINK OF BRAISED MUSK GLANDS AS THEY BOIL AWAY! If you have difficulty finding (or shooting) groundhog, you can substitute two rabbits or six pounds of chicken.

Illustration: Drew Lerman

Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients

1 (5 to 6 pound) groundhog, cut into 6 serving pieces

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1 3/4 cups reduced sodium chicken broth

2 medium onions, chopped

3 cloves garlic, finely chopped

1 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped

3/4 stick unsalted butter, cut into tablespoon size pieces

2 1/2 cups dry white wine

1/3 cup Dijon mustard

1/4 cup whole grain mustard

, for seasoning

Directions: 

1. Rinse the groundhog pieces, remove any fat, and cut out the glands underneath the front legs and armpits, then pat the meat dry. Season with 1 tablespoon Kosher salt and 1 teaspoon pepper.
2. Heat the oil in a large heavy skillet, then brown the meat, in batches. This will take about 5 minutes per batch. Transfer the meat to a medium heavy pot. Reserve the skillet.
3. Add the broth to the pot.
4. Pour off any fat from skillet, then add the onions, garlic, thyme, and 3 tablespoons butter and cook over medium heat, stirring and scraping up any brown bits, until onions are softened. This will take about 5 minutes.
5. Add the wine and boil until the liquid is reduced by half. This will take about 8 minutes.
6. Pour the mixture over the groundhog. Cover the pot and bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Braise the groundhog until it is very tender. This will take 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
7. Transfer the groundhog to a serving dish and keep warm.
8. Bring the liquid in the pot to a boil and reduce it to about 3 cups. This will take about 10 minutes. Whisk in the mustards. Remove the pan from the heat and add the remaining 3 tablespoons butter, swirling the pot until incorporated. Season sauce with salt and pepper and pour over the groundhog.

House Washing Wednesday: residential BBQ cleaning

BBQ and Out-side Kitchen Area Steam Cleaning
 Cleaned by Pete's residential cleaning service

Stripping down the BBQ for cleaning this one is about 3 years old and this is its first cleaning. Cleaned by Pete

Baked on and chard on Cleaned by Pete will remove the burners and clean under and remove all the grease, grime, and get the BBQ looking close to new. What you see is not from charcoal. What you see is crumbs, drippings and animal fats that are carbonating at some point they can ignite.  This one is really baked on and will take more than one cleaning

Looks more like a "smoke house" than a grill we will not be able to get 100% on the first cleaning session and will need to put this on a regular cleaning, Cleaned by Pete.

Grills, flame separators and burners will all be cleaned too, Cleaned by Pete.

Dry steam cleaning, starting we are steaming the out-side first to help warm up the cleaner that has been applied, Cleaned by Pete.

Cleaned by Pete, applying our learned cleaning techniques from years of hood, duck and exhaust fan cleaning to cleaning the BBQ and the kitchen area.

Cleaned by Pete uses dry steam to clean these out-side residential kitchen and BBQ areas. Most of these BBQs are "built-in" units and set in finished cabinetry, so water run off is not what you want. Dry steam works the best for us with little to no run off and no water pressure forcing its way into places we don't want it to go.

After the steam clears, we can start to see that we are making great progress, this is the 2nd pass, you can see quite a big difference that Cleaned by Pete has now made.

Three years of cooking and three years of grime are mostly gone now, Cleaned by Pete will be able to remove more with the next service cleaning.

This shows the water stream before heating. This small stream water will be turned into steam as pictured above, and that steam is quickly evaporated after doing the cleaning leaving little water runoff. Cleaned by Pete is saving water and has no runoff environmental friendly dry steam cleaning.

Cleaned by Pete's dry low pressure steam cleaning. Most of these BBQ systems use electrical starters, regulators, heat probes water does not play with electricity, and even careful pressure washing will force water where it should not go and have too much runoff. High steam temperatures cut and melt grease and animal fats aid in cleaning of kitchens. For these reasons dry steam fits this cleaning the best.

Drying time is as fast as the steam can evaporate, Cleaned by Pete, will now buff off the water spots and any residue then do a final wipe down.

Cleaned by Pete also steam cleaned the other items on the patio or kitchen area.

Looking good after the final wipe-down is finished, Cleaned by Pete residential cleaning of outside kitchen and BBQ areas.

Finished up all the steam cleaning of all the stainless items, counter tops, work areas, BBQ, sink, steamed any spills off the floor and cabinetry. Cleaned by Pete, will return tomorrow and power wash the patio, furniture, landing and then clean out and vacuum the ash and burnt wood from the fireplaces, readying it for entertaining and cooking this spring.

If you think you need our "residential kitchen, BBQ, or entertaining area cleaning" give us a call for a free prompt estimate or to answer any questions you many have. Call 417-459-7869

for more information click on Cleaned by Pete,

and view our steam and vapor cleaning page. 

Nixa Mo house washing

Clean by Pete cleans and washes homes and business in the Southwest MO area. This house is in the Nixa MO area, was covered in mold, mildew and algae. Cleaned by Pete is your trusted multi storied home washer. Safe soaps and cleaners, safe proven techniques and washing methods, safe from the ground cleaning no ladders on your home, and safe tools and equipment. Using low pressure washing, down-streaming, or soft washing methods and techniques we keep your house, plants, ourselves, and the environment safe. 

Call Cleaned by Pete for clean needs in the Southwest and greater Springfield MO area, for a free prompt estimate.

Before cleaning Nixa MO house washing Cleaned by Pete

Before cleaning Nixa MO house washing Cleaned by Pete

Before cleaning Nixa MO house washing Cleaned by Pete

Before cleaning Nixa MO house washing Cleaned by Pete

Before cleaning Nixa MO house washing Cleaned by Pete

After cleaning Nixa MO house washing Cleaned by Pete

After cleaning Nixa MO house washing Cleaned by Pete

After cleaning Nixa MO house washing Cleaned by Pete

After cleaning Nixa MO house washing Cleaned by Pete

After cleaning Nixa MO house washing Cleaned by Pete

 

 

After cleaning Nixa MO house washing Cleaned by Pete

Safe  and environmentally friendly, power washing for all your needs from concrete to vinyl siding Cleaned by Pete can help you.

House Washing Wednesday plus a Thank You

 This blog has reached 1000 page views Cleaned by Pete wants to thank all of you who have followed this blog and those that just visit a page. 1000 hits or views may not sound like much but this is a blog about washing homes in and around Southwest MO and the greater Springfield MO area, and is written by a power washing contractor not the largest and most interesting topic.

But wait, you home is a large and interesting topic for you and it is also for Cleaned by Pete we treat your home as we would if it was our own. Cleaning and washing your homes and items is what we do and take great pride in it. Using our safe soft wash method will remove the mold, mildew, and algae and wash away years of dirt and grime from your house. If you want a washing contractor that cares call Cleaned by Pete 417-459-7869 to see what we can do for you. 

Thank you for viewing now back to House Washing Wednesday. We threw in a few business washing pictures just to let you know we clean business property too.

Cleaned by Pete washes store fronts too.

Cleaned by Pete washed this warehouse getting dirt and grime off the walls letting the light shine in.

Cleaning the panels out side to let the light in Cleaned by Pete does business cleaning too.

Brick home cleaned by Cleaned by Pete

Safe soft washing works on painted surfaces too, Cleaned by Pete

Another stone home washed by Cleaned by Pete in Southwest MO.

Stone home washed and cleaned. Cleaned by Pete

Stone, brick, and wooden siding all on one home, all things Cleaned by Pete knows how to clean and safely wash.

Brick home with vinyl siding, Cleaned by Pete, power washed the brick and use a safe soft washing on the vinyl siding.

If your are wondering can Cleaned by Pete help me? The answer is Yes! call 417-459-7869 to find out how.

"Spring Cleaning", how about a house washng?

Tis the season for "spring cleaning" and "honey do" lists:

Save your time, save money, save your back, save yourself some grief, become the envoy of the neighborhood, by picking up the phone and calling:

Cleaned by Pete your local power washing contractor.

417-459-7869

Get the results your other half wants to see and best of all you don't have to rent a power washer, or do all the work be safe, no ladders, no accidents. 

Remember Cleaned by Pete is not a window washing company that does some power washing, is not a lawn care company that does power washing in the off season, is not a part-timer learning and experimenting on your home, is not the kid down the street or weekend warrior with a box store pressure washer, is not a building contractor that happens to own a pressure washer, or is not a painter or refinisher that will power wash for extra cash.

What they are are local, insured, trustworthy, professional power washing company, with a good track record, who have the equipment to get your job done right, and the knowledge to know what soaps, cleaner, and equipment to use for each of your cleaning jobs. Safe house washing, "soft washing" of your home, light washing to clean fences and decks with safe cleaners, to power or high-pressure water washing for your concrete and can do anything in between. Call for a free prompt estimate 417-459-7869.   

Join us on YouTube watch our videos and see what we do.  

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Southwest Missouri Pressure Washing

 Why use Cleaned by Pete?

The main reason to use Cleaned by Pete is we are insured for your protection. We are a local pressure washing contractor living and working in the greater Springfield area. What we aren't .............................................................................

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 information or to schedule a free demonstration  or estimate give us a call today!

417-459-7869

to find our what is missing or to read more click on this >link< 

southwestmissouripressurewashing.net

  This is part of a page from our new web-site please have a view. It is still under construction in some areas so bear with us, and let us know what we need to improve it.

House Washing Wednesday Southwest Missouri

Wednesday time for "house washing Wednesday" the weather finally right for a house washing. The weather in the Ozarks is unpredictable at best it is said only tourist and fools predict the weather the weather here. Here are a few shots of the home Cleaned by Pete washed in Republic MO.

 Cleaned by Pete finished with the house cleaning and is packed up ready to leave. This is one or our service pick-up we use for house washing.

Before and after the dark areas you see in the first picture is mold and mildew growing on the home it likes shade and grow there, house washing Republic MO Cleaned by Pete.

Before and after gutter cleaning Cleaned by Pete Republic MO.

Owners wanted to stain their deck by themselves so we washed it for them.

This home had all the vinyl siding problems we find here in Southwest MO. The first picture shows the gray algae we call shotgun algae that grows here. The second show the cleaning soap on the siding the dark areas are mold and mildew growing on the home. The finial picture is the finished look of the after Cleaned by Pete removed the contaminants on this home.

For a free prompt estimate call 417-459-7869.