Pressure washer car cleaning – Your complete guide to a sparkling clean car
At Nilfisk, we know your car deserves the best care. With pressure washer car cleaning you can achieve professional results at home – quickly, easily, and effectively. Whether you're a car enthusiast or just want a clean car for everyday use, you'll find everything you need here.

The benefits of pressure washer car cleaning
Top products for pressure washer car wash:
Core 125-5 UK High pressure washer
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Core 140-6 Powercontrol UK High pressure washer
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Core 130-6 PowerControl UK High pressure washer
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Core 150-10 PowerControl UK High pressure washer
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Excellent 160 UK High pressure washer
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Excellent 170 UK High pressure washer
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Premium 180-10 UK High pressure washer
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Premium 200-15 UK High pressure washer
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Guides
How to clean your car using a high pressure washer
The most efficient method to clean your car is with a high pressure washer, we’ll take you through it step-by-step… How to clean your car using a high pressure washer Did you know you should wash your car every 2-4 weeks to keep it in tip-top condition? Cars are prone to getting dirty from all sorts of things such as bugs, road grit, tree sap, bird droppings, and general wear and tear. During the winter months, your car will be in even more need of a deep clean with higher chances of getting covered in mud in the cold, wet weather. One way to wash your car at home is using a hosepipe and a mop and bucket, but hose pipe pressure levels are quite low and it takes a lot of elbow grease to fully remove the dirt and mud from your vehicle. The most efficient method is to use a high pressure washer to clean your car, we’ll take you through it step-by-step… Step 1 – Spray your car with foam using your high pressure washer Add car wash foam to the detergent bottle/foam sprayer on your high pressure washer and spray the mixture over the exterior of your car - use the pressure setting of around 90 bar (Nilfisk Core setting 3). This foam detergent will help to pull off the thicker pieces of mud from your car, making it easier to clean whilst avoiding any scratches to the paintwork. Step 2 – Rinse off the foam from your car Leave the foam on your car for 5 minutes and then rinse off using the pressure setting of 90 bar and a gentle nozzle on your high pressure washer before it dries. Remember to rinse from top to bottom so that the dirt doesn’t drip down over the parts of the car that you already cleaned! Step 3 – Wash your car with soap Use either a mixture of soap and water mixture or car shampoo to clean your car, you can add this into the detergent bottle and spray all over the exterior. Then, use either a hand cloth or the brush accessory on your high pressure washer to wipe away any particular dirty areas on your car. Don’t forget to clean from top to bottom as the dirtier areas are more likely to be base of your car. Step 4 – Rinse off the car shampoo/soap mixture After another 5 minutes, use the setting of 90 bars on your high pressure washer to rinse the mixture off - this is even more important if the sun is out because otherwise the soap will dry onto your car leaving marks. Step 5 (optional) – Wax your car To get that extra squeaky clean look on your car, use car wax as a final touch. We recommend using the detergent bottle to spray it over the exterior and leave for a further 5 mins before drying off. Step 6 – Dry off your car Once the soap has rinsed away you can either let your car dry naturally or wipe down with a microfibre towel. And there you have it, a beautifully cleaned car done right from the comfort of your home!
Read more5 step guide: How to clean the inside of your car
It’s time to get your car in tip-top condition, here's our step-by-step guide on how to clean the interior of your car. We’ve already shown you how to clean the exterior of your car with a high pressure washer. Today we’re sharing a step-by-step guide on how to clean the interior of your car. We recommend using the Nilfisk premium car kit along with a Wet&Dry vacuum for best results. 1. Clear out any rubbish Have a good tidy up inside your car, making sure there is no rubbish, loose change or other items which you don’t want to end up inside your vacuum cleaner. Don’t forget to check between and underneath the seats. 2. Remove & clean floor mats Remove all car mats, this way you can really clean all the dirt from underneath, as well as a deep clean of the mat itself. First of all, whack the car mats against a hard surface to remove dust. Then vacuum the mats, the turbo nozzle accessory is perfect for this, with its rotating brushes which loosen up the dirt while you vacuum. If your mats are really dirty, you may need to wash them with soapy water to help take off worn in dirt. Vacuum them with your Wet&Dry to get most of the water and dirt out and let them air dry. 3. Vacuum floor & seats Use either a standard vacuum cleaner or better, a Wet&Dry machine with even more power and accessories adapted for car cleaning. Start by vacuuming your seats with an upholstery nozzle, so any dirt which ends up on the floor can be picked up afterwards. Then, use a crevice nozzle which makes it much easier to vacuum right down in-between and underneath the seats. 4. Clean your dashboard Before dusting, we recommend giving plastic surfaces and air vents a vacuum too – use a soft brush accessory on your machine, to ensure you don’t damage these sensitive areas. Then with a microfibre cloth and detergent, wipe down the dashboard, steering wheel, gearstick, centre console and any other plastic surfaces in your car. 5. Wipe down your windows Use one or two microfibre towels and glass cleaner to clean your interior car windows and mirrors. Work in small areas, spraying the detergent onto the glass and wiping away quickly before it dries. Follow up if needed with a dry microfibre towel for a streak-free result.
Read moreHow 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.
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Equipment for pressure washer car cleaning
Super Foam Sprayer for Pressure Washers with Click & Clean Connection
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Super Foam Sprayer for Pressure Washers with Bayonet Coupling
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Auto Brush for Pressure Washers Click & Clean Connection
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Under Carriage Nozzle (Click & Clean)
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Auto Brush for Pressure Washers with Bayonet Coupling
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Washing Glove for pressure washers
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Microfibre Towel for pressure washers
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Under Carriage Nozzle (Bayonet)
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Frequently asked questions about pressure washer car cleaning
Can I use a pressure washer on all cars?
Can I use a pressure washer on all cars?
Yes, but adjust the pressure and use suitable nozzles to protect the paint and trims.
Which car shampoo is best?
Which car shampoo is best?
A pH-neutral shampoo developed for High pressure washer provides the gentlest result.
How often should I wash my car?
How often should I wash my car?
Washing 1–2 times a month keeps the car clean and protects the paint from wear.
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