Being able to deep clean your house and deck is a great way to keep them looking nice and protect them from damage. Mold and mildew can quickly turn into deterioration if you aren’t careful, and proper maintenance can help remove this kind of build-up. However, just scrubbing an area may not be enough to keep these issues at bay.
A high-quality pressure washer can work wonders when it comes to getting a thorough cleaning. Using the power of pressurized water, you can remove mold and mildew completely before they start to become a real issue for the structural elements of your home. In this article, we've reviewed some of the best pressure washers on the market so you can find the one that will work best for you. However, before choosing the best washer, make sure to understand the difference between electric and gas pressure washers, as well as between pressure and power washers.
Backyard Boss Best Pressure Washers for Deep Cleaning
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Why You Can Trust Us
In my years as a general contractor, there were many times that I encountered a home that had some real structural damage that could have been avoided with proper maintenance. Many times, all this would have taken was regular cleanings with a pressure washer to remove any mold spores and mildew that were allowed to proliferate and turn into real damage. Mold is especially dangerous and can lead to serious health problems.
To keep these problems from getting worse, I always suggested regular pressure washing of the home and surrounding area. I found that homeowners that did routine washing had less structural damage and homes that were in overall better condition. By choosing a pressure washer that you feel safe and comfortable using, you can keep your home clean and safe for longer.
Best High Power Pressure Washer
This heavy-duty gas pressure washer can handle nearly any job you throw at it
- High-pressure
- Quick-release handle
- On-board tank
- Needs maintenance
- Short hose
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Why We Like It: The Black Max 3100 PSI Gas Pressure Washer is a mid-size, high-powered pressure washer that almost anyone can use with the right training and practice.
It's sufficient to clean driveways and houses but maneuverable enough to be user-friendly and comfortable. The 212cc engine generates up to 3,100 PSI and sits on a heavy-duty metal hand-truck frame, which makes it easy to move around.
The onboard detergent tank is conveniently located, so you don’t have to go searching for it every time you need to refill the soap. It also features a no-maintenance Axial aluminum pump that is powerful and reliable, so you can always be sure that it will do the job.
Who Should Buy It: People who want a pressure washer that is easy to use but still powerful enough to handle some of the tougher jobs that they can throw at it.
Best Portable Pressure Washer
This portable power cleaner by DeWalt can be taken almost anywhere and used with minimal equipment
- Convenient
- Uses any water source
- 1 GPM
- Low pressure
- Plastic housing
- Short battery life
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Why We Like It: The Dewalt DCPW550P1 Power Cleaner is a portable electric pressure washer that tries to make power washing as easy and convenient as possible.
With no gas engines or hand trucks to tote around, this is one of the most maneuverable and simple washers on the market. With a max PSI of 550, it's powerful enough to do most average-sized jobs and is easy to use, so you can do more regular washings.
The electric motor draws water from any source and delivers over 10 times the amount of power as a traditional garden hose. This is a nice step up from standard cleaning devices and doesn’t need any additional equipment to do a job.
Who Should Buy It: People who don’t want a lot of equipment or power from their pressure washer but would still like something user-friendly and maneuverable.
Best Electric Pressure Washer
This electric washer by Karcher can deliver up to 1700 PSI with an electric motor
- Large bin
- Uses any water source
- 1.2 GPM
- Lower PSI than gas
- Plastic housing
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Why We Like It: The Karcher K1700 Electric Power Pressure Washer is a more advanced and powerful version of your standard electric washers.
It can deliver up to 1,700 PSI, which is more than enough for most household jobs, and does it with an eco-friendly electric motor. It has an easy setup and requires less than five minutes out of the box to get up and run.
This washer comes with three different nozzles, so you can find one that will be best suited to your particular job. The high-pressure hose can also stretch up to 20 feet, so you don’t have to constantly move the hand truck to get to the places that are the hardest to reach.
Who Should Buy It: People who want a professional-grade pressure washer but don’t want to deal with the maintenance and lack of reliability that comes with a gas-powered washer.
Best Professional Pressure Washer
This pro-level power washer features a Honda engine and delivers high pressure in a small package
- 13 wheels
- Uses any water source
- 5 nozzles
- Needs maintenance
- Heavy
- Less maneuverable
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Why We Like It: The SIMPSON Cleaning ALH4240 Aluminum Gas Pressure Washer is powered by a powerful Honda GX390 engine for some of the highest power on the market.
This washer can deliver up to 4,200 PSI, which is more than enough for almost any kind of job you could throw at it. It features a 50-foot hose for maximum maneuverability and ease on the job site. It also comes with five different nozzle tips so you can customize the tool to each job.
All of the SIMPSON Cleaning ALH4240 Aluminum Gas Pressure Washers are 100% functionally tested at the factory where they're made, so you can be sure that you're receiving a product that works properly.
Who Should Buy It: People who need a pressure washer that can handle some of the toughest jobs and that will have enough power to remove mold and mildew.
Best Budget Pressure Washer
This electric power washer by Sun Joe is a budget option that is user-friendly and delivers a respectable spray
- Versatile
- Features TSS system
- Onboard tank
- Needs to be plugged in
- Less powerful than gas
- Less maneuverable
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Why We Like It: This Sun Joe SPX3000 Electric Pressure Washer is a great budget option for people who want to have the power of a pro-grade washer but don’t want to make a big investment.
The motor can put out up to 2,030 PSI, which is more than enough for most jobs, and does it all electrically and quietly.
This washer also features a Total Stop System, which turns off the motor when the trigger is not being used. It saves you money on your electric bill and makes this washer incredibly eco-friendly.
Who Should Buy It: People who want a high-powered, reliable pressure washer but don’t want to spend a lot of money on the initial cost, maintenance, or power bills.
How to Use a Pressure Washer
Image credits: Erik Mclean via Pexels
Once you have selected which pressure washer will be best suited to your particular needs, it's important to know how to use it. Proper use of your pressure washer will help you stay safe and make sure that your cleaning job is as effective and thorough as possible. It'll also increase the lifespan of your pressure washer and ensure that your home and tools stay safe.
Clear the Space
Before you attempt to do any pressure washing, be sure to clear the area you intend to clean. It means getting rid of any potted plants and rocks that could get picked up by the pressurized spray and become projectiles. Be sure that you're aware of any electrical outlets and windows, so you can do your best to avoid them while you're pressure washing.
Select the Nozzle
Your pressure washer comes with a variety of different nozzles that you can choose from. These nozzles will have varying degrees of spray, so pick the one that will be best suited for your job. A nozzle that has a wider spray is better for large areas like a house or car. However, a nozzle with a more narrow spray is more suitable for spot cleaning or stripping siding, or a deck.
Attach the Hose
Your pressure washer will need a water source from somewhere. You can connect your standard garden hose. It will need to have the correct amount of pressure for the pressure washer to work. To test this, time yourself filling up a 5-gallon bucket, and if it takes two minutes or less, there is enough pressure in the water line for the washer to be effective.
Start Cleaning
Once you're all set up, you can begin cleaning. Before you start, do a test of the pressure and adjust it accordingly. Start small and work your way up to higher pressure to get a feel for it. Make sure the pressure won’t damage the area you're trying to clean. Work in a grid pattern and make certain all of your strokes overlap to ensure the best possible coverage and a complete cleaning job.
Pressure Washer Safety
Image credits: Philip Myrtorp via Unsplash
When working with a pressure washer, always use eye protection. You never know what the washer could pick up as you're using it and where it could ricochet. It's always best to be safe and ensure that you don’t get hit with anything. Always be aware of your surroundings as you clean. Watch for any power lines or windows that could break if they're hit with the stream and avoid them as best you can.
Never blast your pressure washer into a corner. It'll shoot the stream right back at you and could cause an injury. The rule of thumb with a pressure washer is to always work slowly and make sure you have complete control at all times.
How We Picked
All of the pressure washers on our list use name-brand parts and are of high quality. It's one of the best ways to be sure that your washer will give you years of use. There are many moving parts in play with a pressure washer, and if those parts are well-made, you can be sure that they won’t break when you need them the most.
We also made sure that all of the pressure washers on our list can put out at least 500 PSI. While this is a relatively small amount of power, it's enough for most household jobs. There is no point in investing in a pressure washer if you aren’t going to get more power out of it than a standard garden hose.
Best Pressure Washers for Deep Cleaning - Our Verdict
While all of the pressure washers we reviewed will be a good choice for most household jobs, the Black Max 3100 PSI Gas Pressure Washer is the best for most people. This versatile and easy-to-use washer is acceptable and powerful enough for almost any job and doesn’t require any special training or maintenance. It's of high quality to be useful for just about anyone.
By subjecting your home and the surrounding area to regular cleanings, you can avoid more costly procedures down the line. The key to a safe and healthy home is maintenance, and pressure washing is a great place to start.
Do you have a favorite pressure washer that has been an essential part of your home maintenance routine? Let us know in the comment section below!