News
News
How to clean your garden patio with a pressure washer
A step-by-step guide on getting your patio spring-ready. The most efficient way to clean your patio is by using a pressure washer, it does not waste as much water as you would when using a normal hosepipe and it gets the job done in half the amount of time. You can use a pressure washer on wooden decking, stones or brick paved patios which are bound together with concrete. However, we don’t recommend using it to clean a block-paved patio, as it will simply wash away all the sand and dirt which binds the bricks together. The strength of a pressure washer is measured in bars, for wooden decking you can use anything up to 130 bars and for stone or brick patios anything up to 140 bars. So let’s get started! 1. Get your patio ready to clean Start with a clear workspace removing any furniture, plants and pots from your patio before you get started. Make sure any items which you don't want to get dirty are kept far away or properly covered. You should use a broom to get rid of any debris such as dead leaves or large clumps of dirt, which will make the job easier. 2. Connect your high-pressure washer to the water supply Most pressure washers can connect to the mains with a simple Gardena connector, press down on the gun lever to make sure the water is flowing freely through your pressure washer before turning on the power. 3. Spray detergent on your patio Mix the Active Stone Cleaner detergent with a 2-5% mixing ratio in your dispenser bottle, spray it on the area and let it sit for 15-20 minutes. This will help to remove any tough stains or worn in dirt from your patio before we start cleaning. 4. Pressure-wash your patio Start at one end of your patio and work your way across the whole surface spraying in one direction and back another. While cleaning, rinse regularly and make sure the water can drain away easily. Start at the opposite side to where the water drains, so that the dirt will not drain back over your freshly-cleaned patio. 5. Patio maintenance After cleaning your patio, the best way to keep it in top condition is to spray on a finishing Stone Sealer Detergent. First, you should wait 1-2 hours until the stone cleaner has dried out. Bear in mind the sand between your tiles may have been moved during cleaning, if that’s the case them use a brush to sweep it back. Spray on your Stone Sealer Detergent using 50% water and 50% detergent in your dispenser bottle, and let it dry out completely over a week. And you're done! Top tip: Use a patio cleaning accessory head to make this process even smoother. The rotary jet nozzles work in a circular fashion to spray a more constant, balanced stream of water.
How to clean your bicycle with a high pressure washer
Cycling is a great way to stay active and healthy, but your bicycle can become dirty and covered in grime, especially when cycling through the countryside. A high pressure washer can be an effective tool to clean your bike and restore it to its original condition. Despite the common myth that pressure washers are too powerful for cleaning bikes, most machines come with different power settings and gentle nozzles which are perfect for cleaning delicate surfaces such as bicycles and cars. Here's how to clean your bicycle with a high pressure washer: What you need: high pressure washer, a gentle spray nozzle (provides maximum cleaning power without the risk of damage, a soft-bristled brush, detergent, gloves, and eye protection. Prepare your bike: Remove any loose dirt or debris from the bike with a soft-bristled brush. This will prevent debris from getting into the nooks and crannies of the bike and causing damage. Apply detergent (optional): Using the foam sprayer on your pressure washer or alternatively just spray it on if you don’t have one, apply the detergent to the dirtiest areas of the bike, such as the chain, gears, and pedals. This will help to break down the dirt and grime, making it easier to clean. Start cleaning: Attach the gentle nozzle to your machine and begin cleaning. Keep the nozzle at distance of around 1m and keep your pressure washer moving to avoid damage to the surface. We recommend using a low bar setting of around 50-100. Clean the bike thoroughly, working your way from top to bottom. Brush off any dirt: Using your brush (either attached to your pressure washer or separately) wipe off any stubborn dirt and rinse your bicycle again. Dry your bike: After rinsing the bike, let it dry completely. You may want to wipe it dry with a microfibre cloth to ensure there are no streaks. Letting your bike dry properly will prevent rust and other damage from developing. Finally, once your bike is dry don’t forget to grease up the moving parts again, such as the chain and gears, to ensure that they are functioning properly. Cleaning your bicycle with a high-pressure washer can be a quick and effective way to restore its appearance and performance. By following these steps, you can ensure that your bike is in top condition and ready for your next ride. Regular cleaning will also help to extend the life of your bike and keep it running smoothly.
