Pressure washers make cleaning faster and way easier. Whether you’re tackling a dirty car, a grimy deck out back, or a stained concrete driveway, they’ll save you tons of time and effort.
If you’ve never used one before, it can be a bit daunting though. Which is why we’re here to show you how to use a pressure washer effectively and safely. We’ll even go through the best way to clean your car and house with one. Right, let’s have a look then…
How to use a pressure washer for the first time
It can be pretty fun using a pressure washer the first time round. Saying that, if you don’t know what you’re doing, it could end badly. Whether that’s hurting yourself or damaging your (or someone else’s) property. To avoid all that, here’s a step-by-step guide to get you started:
Read the manual – Yes, it’s not the most exciting thing ever. But definitely flick through the manual that came with your pressure washer. It’ll give you specific instructions and safety tips to match whatever model you’ve got.
Check the equipment – This one’s really important. See whether the pressure washer is damaged or has any loose parts. The hose, nozzle and wand all need to be in good nick. If you spot any issues, sort them out before you do anything.
Set up the pressure washer – Put the pressure washer on a flat, stable surface. Then connect your garden hose to the water inlet on the pressure washer and switch on the water supply. Make sure the water pressure is high enough (we’d suggest something around 40 – 60 PSI) to get the job done.
Choose the right nozzle – Most pressure washers come with different nozzles. And these nozzles all have different spray patterns. Wider spray patterns (0° to 15°) are better for general cleaning, while a narrower pattern (25° to 40°) is perfect for stubborn dirt. As it’s your first time, try a wider nozzle to start with. Then you won’t wreck your surfaces by accident.
Test the pressure – Turn on the pressure washer, then test the spray on a small spot somewhere you’re not that bothered about. Tweak the nozzle and pressure to find the right cleaning power you need.
Start cleaning – Whatever you’re cleaning, go from the top, moving slowly towards to the bottom. Keep the nozzle at a safe distance from the surface to avoid causing any damage. Move the wand around evenly in a sweeping motion. That way, you won’t miss a spot.
Turn off and drain – When you’re done, turn off the pressure washer and unhook the water supply. Drain any leftover water from the hose and pump to prevent rust and damage.
How to use a pressure washer with detergent
If you’re struggling to get rid of that decades-old stain, it might be worth using some detergent. It’ll really help to boost the cleaning power of your pressure washer…
Pick the right detergent – Choose a detergent that will work with your pressure washer and whatever surface you’re cleaning. Some pressure washers will have a built-in detergent tank. While with others, you’ll have to use a separate detergent bottle.
Mix the detergent – If your pressure washer has one of those special tanks, fill it with the recommended amount of detergent. If you’re using a separate bottle, mix the detergent with water, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
Attach the detergent hose – Connect the detergent hose to the pressure washer. This hose will then draw the detergent into the water stream. If you don’t do this, you won’t get very far.
Apply the detergent – Set the pressure washer to the detergent mode (if it has one) and cover the surface you’re cleaning with detergent. Cover the area nice and evenly with a wide spray pattern.
Leave it to sit – Grab a cuppa while you let the detergent sit there on the surface. You’ll want to leave it for five to ten minutes or so. This’ll give it time to break down the dust and muck.
Rinse it all off – Switch the pressure washer back to water mode and thoroughly rinse the surface. Use that wide spray pattern again to clear off all the dirt and detergent.
Clean the detergent system – Ready to pack up? Flush the detergent system with clean water to prevent any residue buildup.
How to use a pressure washer with a bucket
The humble bucket still has a place. Combine one with a pressure washer, and you’ve got a convenient way of using detergent or other cleaning solutions.
Prep the bucket – Fill a bucket with water and the suggested amount of detergent. Give the solution a good mix.
Attach the suction hose – Take the suction hose from the pressure washer and pop it in the bucket. The hose needs to be completely submerged in the solution.
Set the pressure washer – Put the pressure washer on detergent mode or adjust the pressure to a lower setting to avoid splashing.
Apply the detergent – Spray the detergent solution over the surface you’re cleaning. Cover the entire thing by moving the wand with a steady sweeping action.
Give it time to sit – As before, let it sit there for a few minutes to work its magic.
Rinse, rinse, rinse – Select water mode and clean off the surface.
Clean the suction hose – When you’re finished, clean the suction hose (to stop pesky residue from clogging it up) and empty the bucket.
How to use a foam cannon with a pressure washer
Pressure washers have a fair few accessories to choose from. And one of our favourites is the foam cannon. It really comes into its own when you’re cleaning cars and other vehicles…
Get the foam cannon ready – Hook the foam cannon up to the pressure washer wand. Fill the foam cannon with the suggested amount of foam cleaner or detergent.
Adjust the pressure – Put the pressure washer on a lower pressure setting. It’ll stop all that foam from splattering absolutely everywhere.
Apply the foam – Cover whatever you’re cleaning with the foam.
Leave it to sit – Just like our other examples up above, let it soak in for five to ten minutes. If you don’t, all that mess might not go anywhere.
Rinse everything off – Use water mode to clean off all that foam and loose dirt.
Clean the foam cannon – Give it a quick clean to make sure it’s ready for next time.
How to use a pressure washer on a car
Cleaning your car with a pressure washer can make it look like it’s just rolled right out of the factory. But you’ve got to use the right techniques. Otherwise, you might be in for some car-based carnage…
Prep the car – If it’s warm out, park your car somewhere shady. This’ll stop your cleaning solution from drying too quickly. Remove any loose debris from the car’s surface before you get going too.
Wash the tires and wheels – Start by cleaning the tires and wheels (they’re usually the filthiest part of a car). Make sure you use a wider spray pattern near the wheel arches to avoid damaging the paint. Otherwise, you might be in for an expensive bill.
Apply detergent – Use a foam cannon - or a bucket and suction hose - to apply special car detergent to the car’s surface. Move the wand in a sweeping motion to cover the whole car.
Let it sit – Give the detergent some time to sit on the car (usually about five to ten minutes).
Rinse off – Again, use a wide spray pattern to get rid of all the detergent and dirt. Start from the top and work your way down. That way, you won’t end up with any annoying streaks.
Dry the car – Grab a microfiber towel or a chamois leather and wipe down the car. It’ll prevent water spots and give you a nice shiny finish.
Clean the windows and trim – Use a separate cloth and some window cleaner to clean the windows and trim. Don’t use the pressure washer here, as these surfaces are really delicate.
How to use a pressure washer on a house
Most houses are absolutely caked in dirt and gunk. Using your pressure washer, you can remove years of grime in minutes. Like with cleaning your car, you’ve got to use proper techniques here as well. You don’t want to knock any money off your place’s value after all…
Look at the surface – Is there loose paint, crumbling brickwork, or peeling wood? Sort these problems first before you start cleaning. If you don’t, you’ll end up adding to the damage.
Protect the area around you – Cover plants, windows and other delicate spots with some plastic sheeting. This’ll protect them from the high-pressure water.
Start with a wide nozzle – Use a wide nozzle (25° to 40°) to avoid ruining the surface. You can always test the pressure on a small, inconspicuous area so that it’s not too strong.
Apply detergent (optional) – If you decide to use detergent, apply it with a bucket and suction hose or a foam cannon. Let it sit for the recommended time.
Rinse thoroughly – Stick with that wide spray pattern to remove the dirt and detergent. Go from the top of the brickwork and move your way down to the bottom.
Clean the windows – Whatever you do, don’t use a pressure washer on your windows - they might crack from the force of the water. You’ll need a cloth and some window cleaner for that instead.
Check the surface again – Once you’re done cleaning, give the surface a quick once over. Hopefully there’s no damage. And if there’s any areas that need a bit of extra attention, now’s the time for a touch up.
FAQs
Can you use an expandable hose with a pressure washer?
No. It’s not a good idea to use an expandable hose with a pressure washer. Expandable hoses are designed to expand and contract. And that means they can burst under the high pressure of a pressure washer. Instead, use a high-quality – and non-expandable – garden hose that’s rated to handle high pressures.
How much water does a pressure washer use?
That all depends on its flow rate, which is measured in gallons per minute (or GPM for short). Most standard pressure washers have a flow rate of about 1.5 to 4.0 GPM. So, if you’re using one with a flow rate of 2.0 GPM, it’ll use two gallons of water per minute. To work out the total amount of water you’ve used, multiply the flow rate by the number of minutes you’ve used the pressure washer for.
Will a pressure washer remove concrete stains?
Yes, a pressure washer can remove lots of different concrete stains. But it might be more effective on some, and less so on others. It really depends on the type and age of the stain you’re dealing with.
For oil and grease spills, use a degreaser first and let it sit for a few minutes before you grab the pressure washer. Rust stains will need a coating of rust remover and then a proper pressure wash. And if your stain is particularly stubborn, you might need to repeat the process a few times over. It’ll be worth it in the end.
Need more advice?
We’re right in the middle of spring. And now’s the perfect time to spruce up all those outdoor spots of yours. So, here’s how to spring clean outside areas with a pressure washer. And if you want one of the best pressure washers in the biz, we’ve got you covered. Karcher pressure washers - or a Nilfisk pressure washer – are a great place to start.
