Sure, this is 2011 and anything a man can do, a woman can do too (usually better!). But let’s face it, women are often intimidated by using power tools. Additionally, women may feel nervous about asking a male know-it-all basic questions about power tools, pretending they are not interested in buying or using these time-saving devices.

But you shouldn’t let that stop you. Pressure washers, also known as pressure washers, can make your cleaning jobs much faster (often reducing the task to less than half the time it would normally take). And be honest ladies, pressure washers look fun to use, don’t they? Cleaning dirt with anything can make you feel powerful and very independent. It can even be therapeutic after a fight with your husband or son! (But refrain from turning the pressure washer on, please!)

This article will demystify some of the basic facts about pressure washers and give you some tips to help you choose the right pressure washer for you and your cleaning needs.

1. What is a pressure washer and why would you want one?

A pressure washer is a machine that uses an electric or gas / diesel pump to act as a compressor that concentrates the water entering a high pressure outlet stream. You can then aim the pressurized water at objects to remove dirt, grease, old paint, etc.

Often times, you will use a garden hose as a water source. The pressure washer will increase the pressure of the water coming out of the hose at least fifteen to twenty times. The main benefits of this is that you can use less water to clean something, less sweat and muscle strength, and less time to do work. On top of that, the higher pressure is usually enough to clean items without having to use toxic detergents.

Essentially you are looking at a unit with a pump that you connect your hose (or other water source) to with a hose coming out the other side that will be attached to a long handle with a trigger so you can control the amount of water. that comes out of the end (spear or wand). A pressure washer can also include a variety of different accessories for a variety of cleaning needs. You can also buy units that only use cold water or that heat the water for an added cleaning advantage.

Pressure washers were mostly available to commercial users before, but now there are many smaller, more affordable units that are perfect for home use. They can cost anywhere from two hundred dollars to thousands, depending on the power of the model you need.

Pressure washers typically run on electric, gas, or diesel motors. Electric washers will run quieter, cleaner, and tend to be smaller and lighter (you can get some that are 13lbs / 6kg), perfect for women who might struggle with less portable gas / diesel units. The downside is that electric washing machines tend to be less powerful; however, most will do the kinds of chores you need at home. Gasoline and diesel pressure washers will give you more power, but they tend to be louder, heavier, and potentially more dangerous.

A pressure washer will make cleaning most things outdoors much easier and faster. You can use it on many things including (but not limited to) cars, tires, bicycles, boats, trailers, lawn mowers, driveways, decks, fences, windows, walls, lawn furniture, garden décor, mailboxes, hallways , barbecues, awnings. , swimming pools and you can use them to clean surfaces before painting. And if you live on a farm, you can even use them to clean your cattle and pigs!

2. What are the key components to look for when buying a pressure washer?

In addition to some of the things mentioned above, there are three numbers to know before you go shopping so that it can appear that you know what you are talking about: PSI, GPM, and CPU.

PSI stands for pounds per square inch and this is the number that lets you know how much pressure

unit can produce. This number will be provided with each machine. For home use, you’ll probably want something in the 1200 to 3000 PSI range. If you primarily want to clean your car, you don’t need anything above 1500 PSI. If you want to use the pressure washer to clean oily concrete or your driveway, you may need a unit with over 3000 PSI.

GPM stands for gallons per minute or the speed of the water flowing into the pressure washer. You will need to know what the GPM of your tank water source is and you must meet the minimum requirements for your specific pressure washer. You should have a constant and constant source of water flow to your pressure washer so as not to damage the pump. If your home has municipal water, it will probably have around 9 or 10 GPM coming out of your typical 1-inch diameter garden hose.

The CPU is the way to evaluate the cleaning units in your pressure washer. The higher the CPU, the better the cleaning performance of your machine. (But remember, you may not need a top-end pressure washer for your cleaning requirements.) You can calculate your CPU by multiplying your PSI by your GPM.

3. Are pressure washers safe to use?

In general, women are more likely to worry about safety. Pressure washers are power tools, so you need to be careful, but if you follow these tips, you should be fine.

Learn how to use your pressure washer properly. Read the manual that comes with the unit. If you have questions or concerns, ask someone who has experience using pressure washers. You can even watch demos on YouTube on how to use a pressure washer.

Take care of your pressure washer. Make sure it is serviced regularly to minimize the dangers of using a damaged unit.

Never point at someone or get too close to what you are cleaning (you can be hit by flying debris or water bouncing off the surface). Ideally, wear safety glasses and closed shoes. If you use a noisy gasoline or diesel model, you must wear appropriate hearing protection.

If you are using a gasoline or diesel pressure washer, be sure to use it only in open spaces so that carbon monoxide does not build up. This gas is impossible to detect by smell and can be fatal.

When you first use your pressure washer on the surface of an object, make a small test patch. Pressure could remove paint or finish from furniture, cars, etc. or even carve wood.

If you get a pressure washer that uses detergents, use the products recommended for your model so as not to damage the unit or the surface you are cleaning. Also consider using products that are not toxic to you, your family or the environment. More and more companies are offering “green” detergents that are safe to use in pressure washers. But read your labels carefully. The terms ‘green’ and ‘natural’, etc. They are not regulated and anyone can make those claims even if it is not true. Generally, you want to avoid harsh chemicals that don’t break down quickly in the environment. You should also avoid cleaning products that contain a lot of phosphates, as they can create algal blooms in lakes and ponds and drown other life forms. It is also best to avoid colored or scented products. There is increasing evidence that the chemicals used to color and perfume products are harmful to the environment as well as to you and your family. Finally, stay away from chlorine bleach. It is very toxic to you and if it reaches waterways it can bond with other elements and is very toxic to fish. Also, people have died from the fumes created when chlorine bleach is mixed with other cleaning chemicals. You can find oxygen-based “bleach”, which is a safer option.

Don’t be intimidated by learning how to use a pressure washer! It is not an exact science! By choosing the best unit for your cleaning needs (and skills) and following the instructions in its manual, you will discover a variety of time-saving benefits to using this convenient power tool. It can even make cleaning look like fun! Go girl!

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