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A pressure washer uses highly pressurised water to clean some of the toughest marks and stains from a range of surfaces or materials. It’s one of the most effective ways to clean things outdoors – but many people don’t understand how to get the most out of their pressure washer.

Five top tips are listed in this guide to explain the ins and outs of pressure washing and what can be done to get cleaner results every single time!

Alter The Pressure Setting Depending On The Job

All pressure washers will have specific power settings displaying the pressure in psi. As a general rule, a lower psi is recommended for the softest and most delicate surfaces. This can include cars, window siding, some types of wood and so on.

Raise the pressure if either of the following occurs:

• The low pressure doesn’t clean thoroughly
• The surface is very hard wearing – like brick or stone

Higher pressures are used on tough stains as well, but it’s always advised to start low and build up to prevent damaging things.

Stand Further Back When Spraying Delicate Surfaces

Pressure washer handlers should always stand further back from a delicate surface to avoid damaging the surface or causing dents. The general guidelines are to begin at least 3 feet away from any surface. If the pressure washer is doing a good job and the surface isn’t warping or showing signs of damage, maintain this distance.

If it looks like the pressure washer isn’t cleaning effectively, and the surface doesn’t appear to be soft or delicate, move forward slightly. You should never go further than 1.5 feet from a surface to avoid being hit with too much splashback.

Use The Right Chemicals For Each Surface

Chemical solutions can be added to pressure washers for deeper cleaning, particularly on stubborn surfaces like decking, patio or brick walls. One pro tip is to ensure the correct pressure-washing chemicals are used for each surface. There will be solutions specially formulated to work on cars, allowing the pressure washer to be turned down slightly while still providing a deep clean.

Similarly, some chemicals will work better on stone or brick while others are best-suited to wood. The key here is to avoid mixing up the chemicals for different surfaces. For instance, it’s unwise to use a high-strength chemical for cleaning the pavement on wooden decking as the chemicals may interact badly with the wood. All chemical cleaning solutions for pressure washers will clearly state their applications so people know what they can or can’t use them on.

Adjust The Nozzle Based On What’s Being Washed

Pressure washers have adjustable nozzles just like hoses. As water is being blasted through at such a high pressure, there will likely be two possible nozzle configurations:

• Wide
• Narrow

Opt for a wide-angle nozzle for most of the cleaning, particularly when working with delicate surfaces. It opens out the water pressure and disperses it better, meaning there’s a lower chance of causing accidental damage. This is the best nozzle setting to use when washing cars or houses.

The narrow-angle is better suited to the hardest cleaning jobs. When there are stains that won’t go away with a wide-angle nozzle, switching to the narrow version concentrates the water pressure and provides a more forceful jet. This blasts away stubborn stains and is useful on fences, tiles, walls or areas that are hard to target with a wide-angle nozzle.

Always Test A Small Area Before Starting The Main Job

The final tip will stop extensive damage from occurring when using a pressure washer. As tempting as it is to immediately turn on the washer and begin cleaning, safety precautions must be taken first.

Test a small area of the surface being washed before the main job begins. This will demonstrate how the surface reacts to the pressure washer settings or chemicals being used. If the area appears clean with no marks or defects, the settings are perfect and the distance between the pressure washer and the surface is also ideal.

However, if marks or dents appear, it is clear that something needs to change. Adjust the distance, try a different nozzle configuration, swap to different chemicals and test again. Only begin a job when it’s 100% clear the pressure washer won’t cause damage.

These tips are simple for anyone to follow and will enhance the pressure-washing experience. Quickly clean any surface without worrying about causing accidental (or permanent) damage.