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Things you didn’t know you could pressure wash
Think a pressure washer is a one‑trick pony? Think again. They’re brilliant for blasting away the obvious muck, but you might be surprised just how versatile they can be. Get ready to see this everyday cleaning hero in a whole new light.
If your pressure washer only ever sees daylight for that one big job each year, you might be seriously under‑using it. One week it could be giving your weather‑worn decking a quick glow‑up before friends come over. The next, it’s rinsing months of road grime off the car in minutes. And when the outdoor bin starts stinking? A few trigger pulls and it’s fresh again. These little machines have a habit of turning everyday clean‑ups into quick wins – the kind that’ll convince your other half that it’s not just for blasting the driveway once every summer.
Understanding pressure washers
Before you get carried away, it’s worth knowing that not all pressure washers work in quite the same way. The amount of oomph you can use depends on the make and model, so it’s always a good idea to give the manufacturer’s guidelines a quick once‑over before you start choosing settings.
Most of the time, it all comes down to the nozzle. Different nozzle sizes and spray patterns change how powerful the water is when it comes out, which is what makes the biggest difference to your clean. Some pressure washers let you switch things up by simply swapping attachments, while others have a handy dial or knob so you can fine‑tune the pressure on the fly.
Choosing the right nozzle means you get just enough power to shift the dirt, without risking any damage to more delicate surfaces.
Task |
Light use |
Medium use |
Heavy use |
Bar pressure |
Up to 100 | Between 110 – 130 | 130+ |
Flow rate |
Low flow (around 360 litres per hour). | Medium flow (around 360–410 litres per hour). | High flow (around 420+ litres per hour). |
Ideal use |
Garden furniture and bikes. | Patios, decking and paving. | Driveways, stonework and stubborn moss. |
Let’s get blasting
Now you’ve got your head around the basics, it’s time to turn up the “pressure” on tough dirt. Here are some of the top household items you might not have thought to use your pressure washer on.
Decking
Decking can take a real battering from the British weather, so it’s no surprise it starts looking a bit tired. A pressure washer is a great way to bring it back to life, cutting through built‑up dirt and grime so it’s summer-ready in no time.
- Wooden decking – Take it easy here. Stick to a low‑pressure setting so you lift dirt and algae without roughing up the wood or risking splinters. Let the water do the work.
- Composite decking – This stuff is a bit tougher, so a medium pressure is usually just right for shifting grime while keeping the surface looking its best.
- Hold the nozzle at least 12 inches away from the boards. Getting too close can gouge the surface and turn a quick clean into a bigger job than you planned.
BBQ grill
After a few good get‑togethers, a BBQ grill can end up looking a bit worse for wear. But you don’t have to struggle with endless scrubbing and tough chemicals to get it sparkling again. A pressure washer can easily tackle that baked-on grease and grime with much less effort, so you can save your arms for flipping burgers instead.
- Metal grates – These can handle a bit more power, so a medium‑pressure setting works well to blast away stuck‑on grease and food residue. Move the spray evenly across the surface to get into all those gaps without lingering in one spot.
- Before you start, make sure any propane tanks, ignition parts or electrical components are removed and well out of the way. It keeps everything safe and saves you hassle later.
- Some grills have special coatings that can be damaged by intense pressure washing. Make sure to check the manual before you start so you don’t accidentally strip away anything important and end up with a useless BBQ.
Car
Cars pick up a lot of grime from day‑to‑day driving, but that’s nothing a pressure washer can’t sort out. You’ll have it sparkling again in no time with the right settings, and it’ll save you from an expensive trip to the car wash. You can even get the kids to help out at the weekend.
- Bodywork – Stick to a low or medium pressure to gently lift dirt without risking the paint. Start from the top and work your way down so grime doesn’t get dragged back over clean areas.
- Wheels and arches – These spots tend to collect the worst of the muck, so you can use a little more pressure here. Keep the spray moving to shift brake dust and road grime without lingering too long in one place.
- Avoid standing too close or spraying directly into vents, door seals or gaps. That’ll help protect the paintwork and keeps water from sneaking where it shouldn’t.
Outdoor bin
Let’s be honest, outdoor bins don’t get much love even though they put in a lot of hard work. A quick blast with a pressure washer can help tackle lingering smells and built‑up grime.
- Plastic bins – Medium pressure is your best bet here. It’s strong enough to shift stuck‑on grime and food residue, but still gentle enough to avoid cracking or scuffing the plastic. Work from the inside out to make sure you don’t miss any corners.
- Add a splash of mild detergent before you start to help tackle lingering odours. Give everything a really good rinse afterwards so there’s no soapy residue left behind.
To wrap things up, a few simple safety steps can make all the difference. Pull on some eye protection and closed‑toe shoes to keep yourself covered and always remember a pressure washer is a tool, so never aim the nozzle at people or pets (no matter how much Rover might love it). It’s also smart to test a small, hidden area first and keep the nozzle moving as you clean. That way, you get great results without any unwanted damage along the way.
