Spray-washing: Clean dogs in minutes
By Gina Spadafori
October 7, 2007
A couple weeks ago in the middle of the night — I’m a chronic insomniac — I saw an infomercial for a doohickey that allows you to soap up and rinse off a dog in minutes. It was something like $20, and although I think I’ve found the Web site for that product — or one just like it — I’m not going to point you there. Instead, I’m going to save you $10-$15 (even more if you include the dreaded shipping and handling charge.)
Next time you’re at the hardware or garden store, buy an empty hose-end sprayer (not, not, not the ones prefilled with pesticides or herbicide.) I got the deluxe one, for $9.
Then go read up on how to use it to “power-wash” your dog. Instructions are free, bless their hearts. (The picture is from the power-wash page, and isn’t that a great-looking model?)
I just power-washed my three ripe-smelling retrievers in under 20 minutes. (No, I would never use a power-wash on Drew, my water-hating Sheltie. And for the cat, Clara? The heart stops just to think of the carnage.)
I’ve never power-washed them before, but it couldn’t have been easier, since my crew is already well used to standing still to have gunk sprayed off them.
Would it work for a pre-show bath? Probably not. But for getting the mud and smell off dogs who live to get into both, you can’t beat it. Assuming, of course, your dog will tolerate being sprayed.
Next up: Scrubbing the parrot cage. And then, I write.
… don’t forget you can always press the sprayer into double-duty for cleaning the parrot cage, too! I can’t wait until I get a house for this very reason… :)
Comment by JamiJo — October 7, 2007 @ 5:46 pm
I did exactly that!
Comment by Gina Spadafori — October 7, 2007 @ 6:34 pm
I would just add a word of caution that you dont use too hard of a stream. Water at high speeds can hurt! Try it on yourself first and for sure keep it away from there face. You dont want to hit them in the eye with that.
Also, lets be sure to differentiate between these hose powered units and those electric or gas engine power washers that can blast paint from siding. On some settings they can actually penetrate the skin! It usually says so right on the user warning on the machine. I would NEVER use one of those on an animal even if you think you can controll it.
Comment by Bernard J. (Bernie) Starzewski — October 8, 2007 @ 7:38 am
Thanks, Bernie! It IS A hose-end garden sprayer we’re talking about, they kind you use to spray fertilizer on the lawn.
Common sense dictates not spraying dogs in the face, but you’re right: It should have been pointed out.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — October 8, 2007 @ 7:49 am
You should edit the headline so it doesn’t say “Spray Wash” instead of “Power Wash”. Power washing means using power to increase the water pressure — such as a gas or electric power washer. This is very dangerous to use on living animals. Someone may read the headline literally and misinterpret what you are talking about.
What you are talking about is a hose-end sprayer to dilute and mix the soap.
Comment by Mike — October 9, 2007 @ 12:11 pm
Done. Good suggestion, thanks.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — October 9, 2007 @ 12:23 pm