Pressure Washing Side Hustle: How to Start and Make Real Money

When you think of a pressure washing side hustle, a low-cost, high-demand service business that uses water under pressure to clean surfaces like driveways, patios, and siding. It’s not just a way to earn extra cash—it’s a full-time business many people run from their garages. You don’t need a degree, a fancy office, or even a truck to start. Just a pressure washer, some basic safety gear, and the willingness to show up on time.

What makes this pressure washing business, a service-based enterprise focused on cleaning outdoor surfaces using high-pressure water systems. It’s a type of mobile cleaning service that’s growing fast in the UK, especially in towns and suburbs where homeowners care about curb appeal. work so well is simple: people hate cleaning driveways, decks, and fences. They’ll pay someone else to do it—often $150 to $300 per job. And if you can do three jobs in a day, you’re already making more than minimum wage without ever leaving your neighborhood.

Let’s be clear: this isn’t magic. It’s mechanics. You need to know how to pick the right machine—too weak and you’ll waste time, too strong and you’ll rip paint or crack concrete. You need to learn how to price fairly—most pros charge by the square foot or flat rate per job, not by the hour. And you need to get found. A simple Facebook page, a few before-and-after photos, and word-of-mouth from neighbors will get you more work than any ad.

Some people think you need a van, a website, and a logo to start. You don’t. I’ve seen guys start with a rented pressure washer, a phone, and a list of 20 houses they walked past last weekend. They knocked on doors, offered a free driveway clean for one referral, and within three weeks had a full schedule. That’s the real power of this side hustle—it’s built on trust, not marketing spend.

And the money? It adds up fast. One cleaner in Hampshire told me he made £18,000 in his first year just doing weekends. He didn’t quit his job—he just cleaned driveways on Saturdays and Sundays. By year two, he bought his own washer, hired a helper, and started doing commercial jobs for landlords and property managers. That’s the path. Start small, get good, then scale.

There’s no mystery here. No secret formula. Just clean surfaces, show up on time, and ask for referrals. The demand is real. People are tired of scrubbing by hand. They want it done right, fast, and without the mess. And if you can deliver that, you’ve got a business that works—whether you’re doing it part-time or full-time.

Below, you’ll find real stories, pricing guides, equipment tips, and earnings breakdowns from people who’ve done this exact thing. No fluff. No theory. Just what works on the ground in the UK.