So, I finally got myself one of those small electric power washers. My patio was looking pretty grim, you know, green stuff growing everywhere, and the car needed a good blast too. Didn't want anything massive, just something easy to handle.

Getting Started

Pulled it out of the box. It wasn't too complicated, honestly. Mostly assembled. Just had to click the handle in place and figure out where the hoses connect. The instructions were okay, pictures mostly. Hooking up the garden hose was straightforward, standard connection. Then plugged the power cord in. Found an outdoor outlet near the patio.

First Try - The Patio

Okay, moment of truth. I picked the nozzle that looked kind of middle-of-the-road for power. Turned on the water faucet first, then switched the machine on. It made a humming noise, not super loud, which was nice. Squeezed the trigger, and whoosh, water came flying out.

Pointed it at the green slime on the paving stones. Wow! It actually started peeling the gunk right off. I had to get fairly close for the really stubborn bits, but it worked. Moved back and forth, like mowing a lawn but with water. It definitely kicks up spray, so yeah, wore old shoes and pants I didn't care about getting wet. Took a while to do the whole patio, maybe an hour?

Other Stuff I Cleaned

Since I had it out, I thought, why not?

• The Car: Switched to a wider spray nozzle, less intense. Good for rinsing off loose dirt and soap. Got the wheels pretty clean too, blasted the brake dust off. Still needed a sponge for some spots, it's not magic.
• Plastic Garden Chairs: They were covered in dust and pollen. The washer cleaned them up super fast. Much easier than scrubbing by hand.
• Part of the Fence: Tried a small section of the wooden fence. It took off the surface dirt, but didn't strip paint or anything, which is good I guess. Need to be careful with wood.

What I Reckon

It did the job I bought it for. The patio looks way better. It's not like those huge gas-powered ones, obviously. Don't expect it to strip paint or deep clean oil stains instantly. For general grime, algae, pollen, mud on the car – it's pretty decent.

Things to keep in mind:

• The power cord length can be a pain. Might need an extension cord rated for outdoor use.
• It takes time for bigger areas. Don't expect miracles in minutes.
• You will get wet.

Overall, happy with it for the size and price. Easy to store away, doesn't take up much space. Good for homeowner stuff, keeping things looking tidy without breaking your back scrubbing.