So, I’ve been meaning to talk about this power washer thing for a while. Not because I’m suddenly some expert, far from it. But I actually got my hands dirty with one, a Karcher, and figured I’d share what went down. It’s funny how you put things off, you know? My patio was looking like something out of a horror film, green and black with grime. Honestly, it was embarrassing.

Getting the Push

It wasn’t like I woke up one day and thought, "Gee, I need a power washer!" Nah, it was more like a slow burn. Seeing the neighbors’ places all spick and span, while mine looked like it was auditioning for a swamp monster movie. Plus, the wife had been dropping hints, subtle as a brick, for months. "That patio could really use a clean, dear." Yeah, no kidding. So, I finally caved. I didn’t want to spend a fortune, just needed something to get the job done.

Why Karcher? Well…

I ended up with a Karcher. Why? Well, mostly because the name rings a bell, right? You see them around. I wasn’t about to do weeks of research. Saw one that looked decent enough, not too pricey, and I just went for it. Picked it up, lugged it home. The box wasn’t too heavy, which was a good start. I’m not getting any younger, you know.

Unboxing and Fumbling

Getting it out of the box was pretty straightforward. A few bits and bobs to click together. The instructions were… well, they were pictures, mostly. I’m more of a words guy, but I managed. Clicked the handle on, attached the hose, sorted out the lance. It felt a bit plasticky in places, if I'm honest, but what do you expect for the price? It wasn’t like it was going to fall apart in my hands, but it wasn’t a tank either.

The Main Event: Tackling the Grime

Alright, moment of truth. I wheeled it out to the disaster zone – aka the patio. Plugged it in, connected the garden hose. First little annoyance: the power cord isn’t super long, so I had to dig out an extension lead. And the hose connection felt like it could be a bit more robust, but it held.

I started with the standard nozzle it came with. Pulled the trigger and WHOOSH! Man, that thing has a bit of a kick. Nothing crazy, but you know it’s working. I pointed it at the filthiest paving slab I could find. And seriously, it was like magic. Watching years of green slime and black muck just peel away was incredibly satisfying. I’m not gonna lie, I probably spent a good few minutes just making patterns in the dirt before I got serious.

I worked my way across the patio, strip by strip. It’s not a quick job, mind you. You gotta be methodical. Move too fast, and you leave streaks. It was actually a bit of a workout, my arm was feeling it after a while. And you get wet. And muddy. Wear old clothes, trust me on that one. Splatter is a real thing.

Expanding Operations

Once the patio looked halfway decent (still got some stubborn spots, but a huge improvement), I got a bit carried away.

• The car: Switched to a gentler nozzle. It did a good job of getting the road grime off, especially the wheels. Better than just a hose, for sure. Still needed a sponge for the stubborn bits, but it was a good pre-wash.
• Garden furniture: Had some old plastic chairs that were looking tragic. Blasted them clean in no time. They look almost new.
• The bins: Don’t judge. They were stinking. A quick blast inside and out, much better.

I even tried it on a bit of the lower brickwork on the house where some algae was growing. Came right off. The power is pretty decent for a home unit.

Things I Noticed Along The Way

It’s not all sunshine and rainbows, though. Like I said, the power cord is a bit short. The hose for the lance could also be longer; I found myself having to drag the main unit around quite a bit, which was a pain when I was trying to reach awkward spots. And it’s noisy. Not deafening, but you wouldn’t want to be using it at 7 AM on a Sunday, if you like your neighbors.

Also, water usage. I didn’t measure it, but you can tell it’s using a fair bit more than just your regular garden hose. Something to keep in mind if you’re on a water meter. And make sure everything is connected tight. I had a minor spray incident when the garden hose wasn’t quite on properly at the tap end. My fault, really.

So, Was It Worth It?

Yeah, I reckon so. For what I paid, it’s done the job I wanted it to do. The patio is usable again without needing a biohazard suit. The car gets a better clean. It’s one of those tools that you don’t use every day, but when you need it, you’re glad you have it. It’s not perfect, got its little quirks, but it gets a thumbs up from me. It’s satisfying, that cleaning power. Made me feel like I actually accomplished something visible for a change, instead of just shuffling papers or staring at a screen. Now, if only it could mow the lawn too…