The heart of a high-pressure washer is not so much the engine as the pump that pressurises the water. The cleaning power of the water actually depends on the flow rate—i.e. the quantity of water delivered—and pressure rating of the high-pressure washer.
However, it also depends on the temperature. By its very nature, water is a powerful detergent, so cold water is effective against dust and dirt, but hot water is even more effective, especially against grease. And if you add a specific detergent to the water you are cleaning with, great results are guaranteed.
In this article we talk about how many jobs you can do with a high-pressure washer, not only in the garden and at home, but even when you go on holiday.
Using a high-pressure washer for gardening and outside the home
What jobs can you do in the garden with a high-pressure washer? The list is almost endless. When sweeping is no longer enough, use a high-pressure washer to wash and remove stubborn dirt from paths and driveways, steps and terraces. It is certainly an indispensable aid if you want to apply anti-mould/anti-algae sanitisation treatments or clean smog stains on walls, or ring marks left by leaves on outdoor flooring.
When the climate warms up in early spring, you can use a high-pressure washer to freshen up your wooden, metal or plastic garden furniture after removing it from winter storage in the garage. Or, if it has been exposed to the weather during the colder months, you can give it a nice deep clean: the same goes for children's play equipment.
As long as you apply a very light jet spray, you can also use a high-pressure washer to remove dust, smog stains and mould from awnings or gazebo sheets.
For all of these small and large tasks, cold water high-pressure washers such as the Efco IP 1250 S or IP1750 S will suffice. They are mains powered, supplied with water up to 40°C, have an integrated detergent tank and generate a pressure of up to 150 bar with a maximum flow rate of 500 and 510 l/h respectively.
However, if your garage floor or driveway is stained with oil, hot water high-pressure washers such as the Efco professional high-pressure washer range will be more effective. For example, the IP 3000 HS model gives you a water jet up to 90°C—the temperature can be adjusted using the thermostat—150 bar of pressure and a flow rate of 540 l/h.
Do you have a swimming pool? If so, with a high-pressure washer you can wash the poolside and, after emptying the pool for a complete water change, you can clean the bottom and side walls. If you want to know more about this topic, read this article from our blog on pool maintenance.
Outdoor floors and swimming pools require a high-pressure washer accessory that delivers a concentrated jet of water without spraying it everywhere: a floor wash lance.
This video demonstrating how to use a high-pressure washer correctly also shows you how to clean gardening equipment with it: a high-pressure washer can be used to wash the bodywork and cutting deck of garden tractors (making sure not to spray the carburettor, exhaust or battery etc.), but is also ideal for quickly cleaning soil and dirt on flower pots, wheelbarrows, hoes, spades and much more.
Using a high-pressure washer to wash cars, motorcycles, bikes, boats and motorhomes
Why use a high-pressure washer instead of a hosepipe? Simple: it take less time and effort, saves water and delivers better results. This is true not only when you have an area of several square metres to clean, but also for smaller surfaces.
If you have a high-pressure washer, you no longer need to visit a car wash. With the supplied gun and lance you already have everything you need to thoroughly clean your vehicle at home: all you need is a sponge and some car shampoo. Efco also supplies a range of accessories for high-pressure washers that makes DIY car washing even more effective. They include a fixed brush and rotary brush for delicate surfaces, plus an angled lance for quickly removing mud from the wheel arches and undercarriage. By adjusting the pressure so that you have a light jet spray, you can even use a high-pressure washer to wash motorcycles, mopeds and bicycles.
Did we mention that high-pressure washers can be useful for the holidays? That’s right, because you can wash the bodywork on your motorhome. Or, if you have a boat or inflatable dinghy, you can use it to rinse saltwater residue from the hull, deck and cabin after going out to sea, and to perform a more thorough clean before storing it over the winter.
Using a high-pressure washer for special jobs: unclogging pipes and sandblasting
The jobs you can do with a high-pressure washer are not limited to removing dust, encrusted dirt, stains and grease. We have already mentioned the angled lance: in addition to car washing, this accessory for high-pressure washers can help you clear guttering of accumulated deposits so that rainwater can drain without overflowing or leaking into your house.
If your drainpipes are clogged, insert the drain clearing attachment equipped with a drain clearing nozzle. The pressurised jet from the high-pressure washer will gradually dislodge and flush away debris clogging the pipeline. You can even unblock sinks and basins inside your home in the same way.
Another unique application for high-pressure washers requires the simple addition of a sand blast lance. This accessory connects to the washer gun and to a pipe that draws sand from a container. The sand is mixed with water and expelled under pressure, enabling you to perform sandblasting, an abrasive treatment that removes rust and paint from metal surfaces, graffiti from walls and so on.
