A pressure washer uses high-pressure water to clean surfaces like driveways, sidewalks, outdoor rugs, decks, patios, siding and more. It is much more powerful than a typical garden hose and it can help you remove years of accumulated dirt, grease and grime from outdoor spaces. For that reason, it makes our list of essential power equipment for fall, but it also comes in handy all year round.

A pressure washer surface cleaner’s power output is measured in PSI, which stands for pounds per square inch of force. So, the higher the PSI, the more powerful the washer is. Although commonly used around the house, especially if you have a deck or patio to keep clean, pressure washers are also used by professional cleaning companies.

Of course, you will want to be knowledgeable about when and what to clean with your pressure washer. For instance, using a pressure washer for patio furniture is not recommended because it’s too intense and risks breaking it. However, you may be able to wash a pergola or gazebo with it depending on the stability and design of the structure. And, of course, a pressure washer excels at a good deck wash.

As with most power equipment, pressure washers offer you the choice of gas vs. electric power tools. With gas models, you have the convenience of not needing to find an outlet, but gas pressure washers also require more maintenance and are heavier and louder. An electric pressure washer, on the other hand, is typically lighter and easier to use, similar to electric leaf blowers and lawn mowers. And you can find highly portable battery-powered pressure washers if you are willing to sacrifice some power for the electric option.

When choosing the right pressure washer for your needs, consider the sizes and kinds of jobs you need to do and the types of surfaces you’ll be cleaning. This will help you determine the right size and power level. And watch out: when your neighbors find out you have a pressure washer, you might have a few requests for lawn and garden tools coming your way!