Swap your bucket and mop or thumb held over the end of a hose for the strong, direct spray of a pressure washer to leave your outdoor surfaces sparkling.
How to choose the patio cleaning machine
A patio cleaning machine will make light work of many outdoor cleaning tasks, and use considerably less water than a standard garden hose so will help reduce your water usage. They’re rated in three ways: the water pressure the washer can generate; the rate of water flow; and the power of the pressure washer’s motor. See the jargon buster below for how these are measured. ‘Choose the pressure washer depending on your needs,’ says Harry Turner, Product Manager at Kärcher. ‘If the cleaning task covers a large area, choose a model with a longer hose to increase the cleaning radius without having to move.’
The material that you’re cleaning also needs to be considered. Wooden furniture and fencing won’t require as strong a stream of water as paving. Take care when hosing any loose gravel, sand or fragile paving slabs as the pressure of the wash may cause damage. Replace any lost gravel or sand once cleaned to preserve your paving. ‘Assess the accessories that come with your machine. Kärcher models, for example, come with PowerControl technology, which offers variable settings for softer materials on your decking, car or bike,’ adds Harry. Important features to consider are the lance, which can be attached to the trigger gun and provides further control over the water flow and pressure; the hose length; the handles and wheels for ease of manoeuvrability; and auto stop/start controls on the handle, which reduce the need to return to the machine to turn the water on and off.
Finally, consider your water source. Most pressure washers will require an outside tap to connect to for a continuous stream of water, whereas some will include a tank. When it comes to the cleaning itself, Paul Hicks, Product and Marketing Manager at STIHL, advises: ‘Spray detergent onto stone or paving before pressure washing to help remove green growth. This will help return the stonework to its original colour and give your patio extra shine.
Not sure which patio cleaner to use to revive tired patios, paving and decking? We've rolled up our sleeves and put the top brands to the test to find out which are the best patio cleaners on the market.
Pressure washer / patio cleaning machine jargon buster
Flat jet nozzle
Creates a low to medium spray rate for large, even coverage.
Rotary nozzle
his nozzle rotates water passing through to create a powerful, direct jet stream for more targeted application.
Pressure
Measured in bars, this is the force at which water is pushed through a system. One bar is the equivalent to the force required to push water up to the height of 10 metres.
Power
Measured in kilowatts (kW), this refers to the size of the motor in your pressure washer.
The higher the number, the more powerful the motor.
Flow rate per hour
Measured here in litres per hour, this refers to the speed at which water is pumped out of the pressure washer.
Lance
This is the handheld trigger, which connects the hose on the machine to the nozzle.
Best patio cleaning machines to buy in 2024
Kärcher K7 Premium Smart Control 2.8KW pressure washer
- Buy now from Amazon (£557.95)
Packing a real punch, this pressure washer comes with a T7 patio cleaner and Bluetooth technology, which means that – cleverly - you can change its pressure settings via your smartphone. Also, thanks to its ‘Plug’n’Clean’ feature, you can apply detergent as you go through the three-in-one lance.
Although this model is one of the heaviest pressure washers featured here, it comes with an extendable handle and a pair of wheels, so it can be easily transported to wherever you need to clean.
Notable features:
- 5m electric cable
- 10m hose
- 550L max flow rate per hour
- Cleans 60 sq m per hour
- Weighs 17.8kg
Bosch Aquatak Corded 1.3KW pressure washer
- Buy now from B&Q (£53.10)
This auto stop/start, compact, lightweight pressure washer comes with a 450ml detergent tank to quickly apply soap. Plus, it has a variety of nozzles for different cleaning needs, including a variable fan jet nozzle, rotary nozzle and a high pressure detergent nozzle and will tackle small to medium jobs around the house and garden. Water is pumped out at 330 litres per hour, which is one of the lowest featured here but it still provides good value for money.
Notable features:
- 5m electric cable
- 3m hose
- 330L max flow rate per hour
- 110 bar pressure
- Weighs 3.8kg
Nilfisk Core 140-6 pressure washer
- Buy now from Robert Dyas (£199.99)
With 140 bar pressure and an adjustable metal pump for long-lasting durability, this can remove dirt and grime from a range of materials, including fabric. Cover up to 40 sq m in 60 minutes with the ultraflex hose, which pumps out water at up to 474L per hour.
Notable features:
- 5m electric cable
- 6m hose
- 140 bar pressure
- Weighs 8.7kg
- Integrated hose reel
Auto-Stop Corded 1.4KW pressure washer
- Buy now from B&Q (£44.10)
Tackle medium-duty cleaning tasks with this electric model that features an extension lance with an adjustable nozzle and an auto stop/start, so you’re only using water when you need it.
Notable features:
- 5m electric cable
- 3m hose
- 330L max flow rate per hour
- 100 bar pressure
- Weighs 5.61kg
STIHL RE 110 Plus Control 1.7KW pressure washer
- Buy now from Tools Today (£265.00)
Wheel this quiet pressure washer into position on your garden or driveway. It has a handy hose reel that can be neatly stored away afterwards and the three-in-one nozzle comes with a button to adjust the pressure while you’re using it.
Notable features:
• 5m electric cable
• 6m hose
• 430L max flow rate per hour
• 110 bar pressure
• Weighs 20kg
Kärcher K3 Power Control Pressure Washer
- Buy now from Amazon (£143.10)
This Karcher K3 Power Control patio cleaning machine is rated an amazing 4.6 out of 5 on Amazon - it has a total of 1,636 global reviews, and users have commented on how easy it is to assemble and use. Altogether, this model comes complete with a K3 power control pressure washer unit, one high pressure gun, one seven metre high pressure hose, one Vario lance (which is essentially a power jet spray) wand and a dirt blaster lance. These attachments mean that the model has many different functions to suit different cleaning tasks, whether it's removing everyday dirt from bicycles and garden tools, to cleaning up fences and garden furniture.
Notable features:
- 1600 watts
- 7m high-pressure hose
- Dimensions 11.7L x 11W x 26.7H centimetres
- Weighs 4.4 kilograms
- 2 years Guarantee
Titan TTB1800PRW 1.8KW pressure washer
RRP: £99.99
- Buy now from Screwfix (£99.99)
Avoid knot setbacks with this washer’s anti-tangle hose, tackle various jobs with its adjustable nozzles and patio cleaner, and roll it into position on the sturdy wheels.
Notable features:
- 5m electric cable
- 6m hose
- 440L max flow rate per hour
- 140 bar pressure
- Weighs 10.1kg
STIHL RE80 1.7KW pressure washer
RRP: £140
- Buy now from Tools Today (£119.00)
A low-weight and compact design makes moving this pressure washer around a breeze. Quickly clean sensitive surfaces with the flat jet nozzle or remove stubborn dirt with the powerful point jet nozzle.
Notable features:
- 5m hose
- 440L max flow rate per hour
- 120 bar pressure
- Weighs 16.5kg
- Comes with a detergent attachment for the spray jet
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