How to choose a pressure washer – a guide to easy cleaning

What can a pressure washer be used for?

A pressure washer is an incredibly versatile helper. It is far from being useful only for quickly rinsing mud off your car. You can use it almost everywhere around your property –

• Car, motorcycle and bicycle – with a flat jet nozzle and foam attachment, you can clean the bodywork, wheel rims and wheel arches much faster and more gently than with a sponge.
• Outdoor paving, paths and terraces – a pressure washer with a rotary nozzle effectively removes moss, weeds from joints, lichen and layers of old dirt and dust.
• Facades, walls and fences – refreshes the appearance of a weathered facade before painting or cleans wooden and concrete fencing.
• Garden furniture and tools – quickly removes soil and grass from dirty plastic, metal or wooden chairs, tables and wheelbarrows.
• Swimming pools and gutters – ideal for thorough pre-season and post-season cleaning of pool walls and garden ponds, as well as flushing blocked downpipes and drains.
• Outdoor roller shutters – helps remove ingrained dust and dirt from outdoor roller shutters.

How to choose a pressure washer

Pressure and water flow

When choosing a pressure washer, you will come across two main values. The key to achieving good results is finding the right combination of the two.

• Pressure (in bar) – determines the force with which the water hits the surface. Higher pressure can remove even very stubborn dirt.
• Water flow (in l/h) – indicates how many litres of water pass through the washer per hour. A higher water flow means that loosened dirt is rinsed away much faster, making your work quicker and more efficient.

Recommended parameters according to use:

• Regular maintenance (car, bicycle, garden furniture) – a pressure of 100–120 bar and a water flow of around 350–400 l/h is sufficient.
• Jobs around the house (paving, terraces, fences) – the ideal middle ground is a pressure of 120–150 bar and a water flow of 400–500 l/h.
• Stubborn dirt and large areas (heavy dirt, facades, swimming pools) – choose a pressure of over 150 bar and a water flow of more than 500 l/h.

SANITINO tip: Be careful with delicate surfaces! Excessive pressure can damage car paintwork, strip paint from wooden furniture or wash out the joints between paving stones. It is therefore a good idea to choose models with adjustable pressure.

Power source – where will you use the pressure washer?

• Electric pressure washer – the most common choice for family homes. Simply plug it into a 230 V socket and connect it to the water supply. It is quiet, lightweight and requires almost no maintenance.
• Cordless pressure washer – offers maximum freedom of movement without cables. It is suitable for occasional rinsing of a car or tools at a cottage, but it usually has lower pressure and limited operating time on a single charge.
• Petrol pressure washer – suitable for locations without access to electricity or for demanding professional use.

The heart of a pressure washer: what is the pump made of?

The service life of a pressure washer depends mainly on the material of the pump:

• Plastic pump – found in the cheapest models. It is intended exclusively for occasional and short-term cleaning (for example, washing a bicycle once a month).
• Aluminium pump – offers an excellent balance of price and durability for regular household use.
• Brass pump – ensures a long service life and can handle frequent use lasting several hours at a time.

Accessories and nozzles: what will come in handy?

Among pressure washer accessories, the following are particularly useful:

• Flat jet nozzle – creates a wider water jet. It is gentle and versatile and suitable for most surfaces, including car paintwork.
• Rotary nozzle (turbo nozzle) – sprays water in a circular motion with great force. It is excellent for removing moss and deposits from block paving or concrete.
• Foam attachment – foams the cleaning agent and applies it to the car bodywork or facade.
• Surface cleaner (patio cleaner) – a special round attachment with rotating nozzles for terraces and paths. The water sprays inside the cover rather than splashing all around.

Look for a sufficiently long hose