Sure, it’s 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. In addition, women may feel nervous asking a know-it-all male employee basic questions about power tools to pretend 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 power washers, can make your cleaning jobs much faster (often cutting the task to less than half the time it would normally take). And be honest ladies, pressure washers sound like fun to use, don’t they? Picking the dirt off almost anything can make you feel powerful and very independent. It can even be therapeutic after having a fight with your husband or child! (But refrain from running the pressure washer on them please!)

This article will demystify some of the basic facts about pressure washers and make some pointers 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 incoming water into a high-pressure outgoing stream. You can then aim the pressurized water at the objects to remove dirt, grease, old paint, etc.

Often, you will use a garden hose as your 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 get the job done. 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 connect to a long handle with a trigger so you can control the amount of water coming out of the 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 purchase units that use cold water only or heat water for an added cleaning advantage.

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

Pressure washers are usually powered by electric, gas or diesel motors. Electric power washers will run quieter, be cleaner, and tend to be smaller and lighter (you can get some that are 13lbs/6kg), perfect for women who may struggle with less portable gas/diesel units. The downside is that electric pressure washers tend to be less powerful; however, most will do the kind of chores you need to do at home. Gasoline and diesel pressure washers will give you more power, but tend to be noisier, 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, Bikes, Boats, Trailers, Lawn Mowers, Driveways, Decks, Fences, Windows, Walls, Patio Furniture, Landscaping, Mailboxes, Walkways, BBQs , 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 consider when buying a pressure washer?

In addition to some of the things mentioned above, there are three numbers you should know before you go shopping to make it look like you know what you’re 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 your

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

The GPM stands for the gallons per minute or the speed of the water flowing into the pressure washer. You will need to know what the GPM of your water source is in the tank, and it should meet the minimum requirements for your specific pressure washer. You need to have a steady, steady source of water flow in your pressure washer so you don’t damage the pump. If your house has a municipal water supply, you will probably have around 9 or 10 GPM coming out of your typical one inch diameter garden hose.

The CPU is how you rate your pressure washer’s cleaning units. The higher the CPU, the better the cleaning performance of your machine. (But remember, you may not need a high-end pressure washer for your cleaning needs.) You can calculate your CPU by multiplying your PSI by your GPM.

3. Are pressure washers safe?

Women are generally more likely to worry about security. Pressure washers are power tools so you have to be careful, but if you follow these tips you should be fine.

Learn how to use your pressure washer correctly. Read the manual that came 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 it at someone or get too close to what you are cleaning (you may be struck by flying debris or water bouncing off the surface). Ideally, wear safety glasses and closed-toe shoes. If you use a loud gas or diesel model, you must wear proper hearing protection.

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

When using your pressure washer for the first time on the surface of an object, do a little test. The pressure could remove paint or finish off furniture, cars, etc. or even gouge wood.

If you buy a pressure washer that uses detergents, use the products recommended for your model so you don’t damage the unit or the surface you’re cleaning. Also think about 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. In general, 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 algae blooms in lakes and ponds and drown out other life. It is also best to avoid colored or scented products. There is growing evidence that the chemicals used to color and scent products are bad for both the environment and you and your family. Finally, stay away from chlorine bleach. It is very toxic to you and if it gets into waterways it can bind with other items and is very toxic to fish. Additionally, people have died from the fumes that are generated when bleach is mixed with other chlorine 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 your manual, you’ll discover a variety of benefits to using this convenient, time-saving power tool! It can even make cleaning look like fun! Go away, girl!