Dirt, grime and mess build up over time on a variety of surfaces. Some are remarkably harder to clean than others. A pressure washer is quite often the answer. High-pressure water works well as an aggressive cleaner without potentially damaging its target surface. There’s less need for aggressive cleaning chemicals and they are therefore more environmentally friendly.
But which pressure washer is the right for you?
A guide on how to choose a pressure washer
The pressure washer is a multi-faceted tool thats highly effective. But which pressure washer you use can depend on the task at hand.
- Driveways/Concrete/Patios pressure washers are great for removing moss, grime, dirt and are even a good way to remove weeds and unwanted growth from concrete garden areas, patios, garden walls and brick work. A small amount of chemical cleaner will help by removing sludge and grime that plain water has trouble with, though the power of the water alone will probably be enough to deal with most problems.
- Cars and other vehicles pressure washers (if used correctly) can quickly and easily strip the dirt and muck off cars and vehicles without damaging the paint. Combined with a foam lance and some car shampoo, you can easily turn a filthy vehicle into a gleaming metal machine within minutes. Pressure washers are fantastic in this use as they prevent mud and dirt being wiped across the surface of the paint when being cleaned (and therefore leading to scratches).
- Windows Used carefully, pressure washers are a good tool for cleaning the outside of windows. Double glazed windows especially can stand up to the pressure of the washing without leaks or damage. We would recommend using a low pressure setting and spraying water at an angle to avoid too much pressure and avoiding damage. Pressure washers can clean the frames and window ledges and even reduce the need for ladders when cleaning windows on higher floors. Before you start, check the window seals to make sure they aren’t corrupted, rotten or perishing before you start to avoid any unwanted damage to the windows.
- Other Uses there are a range of other light pressure uses that pressure washers are still remarkably good at. Cleaning rubbish bins, washing down fences, removing residue from empty pools, washing garden fences and cleaning gardening tools – the pressure washer can do it all.
For more tasks, you’ll find attachments for the pressure washer to get the job done and there’s an attachment for almost any job you can think of.
The average garden hose emits around 40lbs of pressure per square inch (PSI). By comparison, the average pressure washer emits a jet of water 30 times more powerful with 1,300 to 2,000 PSI being produced depending on the product.
Most pressure washers have adjustable pressure but if you know the specific task that you plan to use the pressure washer for you can buy the right machine to tackle the task at hand.
Remember that pressure is measured in ‘bar’:
- 100-110 bar – these pressure washers are ideal for ‘light’ cleaning tasks that require more pressure than a hose can produce but less than a high-pressure machine washers. Ideal for jobs like cleaning bins, bicycles, barbeques and garden furniture/ornaments.
- 110-120 bar – slightly more power, but not enough to damage delicate surfaces, these pressure washers are great for cleaning cars, boats and other vehicles.
- 120-130+ bar – the highest pressure machines are ideal for cleaning patios, driveways and other concrete surfaces that require aggressive cleaning and a strong pressure.
Now you’re all set. So find the pressure washer of your choice and get to cleaning! Take care and bear in mind that the water you’ll be using can be travelling up to 300mph and should only be used to clean surfaces – never people!