Power sprays and jet washers can be very useful in the garden, especially at this time of year. They can be used to get rid of dirt, weeds and moss from paved areas, decking, paths and drives. They are also very effective for cleaning up pet mess and bird droppings, for lifting leaves and branches, with immediate and impressive results.

Choosing a Power Spray or Jet Washer
If you have never owned a pressure washer previously it can be difficult to decide which of the Trueshopping range you should buy. It’s tempting to go for the most powerful, but this can be a mistake because some produce a jet that is strong enough to break glass, so you need to choose the washer that is right for the job you want it to do.

The nozzles on our Trueshopping Pressure Washer, Karcher Portable and Draper 1300w washers produce a pressure of up to 1400 pounds per square inch (psi) and are ideal for washing the car, cleaning the patio doors or the garage doors. They are light, portable and are equipped with lances and hoses that vary the intensity of the spray, according to need.

The Karcher K297MDB is a 1500w mid-range, compact, high-specification washer with a host of valuable accessories that make light work of any domestic outdoor cleaning. It features an in-built trolley and accessory storage, along with a detergent tank. This model is also equipped with a car brush, two lances and 6m of high pressure hose. Just a twist of the vario lance allows the detergent to be applied. All the Karcher range have a pressure switch control which turns the motor on and off when the trigger gun is opened and closed. This means that the user no longer has to walk back to the machine to switch it off, thus helping to reduce water and electricity costs and to extend the life of the pump.

Similar cleaning power is supplied by the Draper 1600w pressure washer, a compact machine that ensures rapid cleaning of vehicles, caravans, driveways and boats. Like all Draper jet cleaners this model features a Total Stop Valve, which automatically activates and de-activates the motor every time the trigger is operated.

If more power is needed look no further than the Karcher K499M Deluxe, which is a 1900w mid-range washer with full accessory storage and a large handle. The 499M comes with a detergent suction hose, low pressure detergent gun, two lances, a rotary wash brush and a box of 10 detergent tablets. All this for an amazing £132.99! You won’t find better quality or value anywhere!

Pressure washers with more power can be used in the domestic situation, but are more appropriate for commercial and professional use. The Draper 2700w is a heavy-duty washer whose powerful motor produces a flow rate of 8.3 litres per minute. This machine is supplied with a pressure gauge, 12m of high pressure hose, an adjustable Hi-Lo lance for fan or open jet water pattern and a built-in twin detergent tank (with selector dial).

If you have not got access to an electricity supply, the Sealey petrol-powered pressure washer is the one for you! This model features a reliable axial plate pump, coupled to a 4-stroke Briggs and Stratton power unit and has enough power to cope with heavy agricultural and industrial applications. Add a Sealey Rotary Turbo power brush, which spins under pressure of water delivery for real cleaning power. This impressive add-on makes short work of cleaning cars and light commercial vehicles.

Safety Guidelines
It's important to remember that a pressure washer is a power tool and you should take great care when operating one.
You should make sure that you read the manufacturer's instructions carefully before use. Always wear proper eye, face and hand protection when operating a pressure washer and wear non-slip shoes and wet weather outer clothing if you don't want to get wet.
Used carelessly, pressure washers can inflict serious injury so you should never point the washer at a person or animal. You should also never try to wash your hands or feet with a pressure washer as the force of the spray can peel your skin off. Like other electrical power tools, if you're using an electric power washer, you need to beware of shock hazards.
In order to protect yourself from electric shock, you should use a Residual Current Detector (RCD) to connect your power washer to the mains supply. If there is any damage to electrical cables or if water penetrates the machines or the cables, posing a danger of causing an electric shock an RCD will cut off the electricity supply instantly. Trueshopping stocks a number of RCDs, including Draper and Sealey models, as well as safety cable reels, which provide greater accessibility, as well as protection.