Clean machine kick

KAREN WIGHT

I have a new toy: a power washer.

Don’t laugh. I’m thrilled about it. If you like a clean house and

yard, this machine is the coolest. In the past, I have rented the

industrial-strength version to clean moldy patio bricks and mossy

walkways, but I never considered buying one of my own.

I could usually squeeze my cleaning jobs into one rental

afternoon. But a few weeks ago I needed a lot of cleaning power,

hours more than an afternoon rental could give me.

We had just finished some work on the house and there was a fine

layer of dirt and dust on everything outside. The house, bricks,

patio furniture, concrete, shutters ... you name it, it was

devilishly dirty.

There’s nothing like an event to shift me into high gear -- so

when my daughter Annie’s water polo team from Berkeley was down for a

tournament, we offered to have the team and families over for dinner.

We had 60 people for dinner and a really dirty house. I needed a

miracle -- my own power washer.

I had seen power washers for sale at Home Depot, but I never had a

great excuse to bring one home -- until now. The moldy bricks and

concrete were an easy fix, but I didn’t stop there. The teak

furniture was screaming for rehabilitation. I literally watched the

gray disappear to reveal the original color of the wood. The dining

table, chairs, lounges and side tables were instantly rejuvenated.

Next came the shutters, the stucco on the side of the house and the

eaves.

I shared my confession about house hygiene with one of the

neighbors and, lo and behold, she too had power washer revelations to

share: the shingles on her house, the screens and the fences. We were

converted from power washer renters to power washer owners. Say it

with me brothers and sisters, hallelujah!

If you don’t have a power washer, my friend, you are living in the

dirty dark ages and it’s time to see the light. Summer is just around

the corner and it’s time to power up and get the house ready for some

serious outdoor entertaining. Whether your power washer comes in a

box from Home Depot or has two arms that are attached to your

significant other, it’s time to come clean.

* KAREN WIGHT is a Newport Beach resident. Her column runs

Thursdays.