Why You Should Buy a High-Pressure Cleaner

Why You Should Buy a High-Pressure Cleaner (And How to Use It for Cars, Bikes & Outdoor Spaces)

If you’ve ever spent a Saturday scrubbing a driveway with a broom and a hose, you already know the number one reason why you should buy a high-pressure cleaner: it turns those horrible little jobs into quick and easy ones.

A good pressure washer will:

Blast away dirt, algae and grime in seconds.
Use way less water than a normal garden hose – according to Water Corporation many modern pressure washers use around 6–7 L/min while a typical hose can use as much as 25 L/min, and best of all it still cleans faster and more effectively.
It is versatile and can handle a big variety of tasks like: driveways, vehicles, motorbikes, road and mountain bikes, outdoor furniture, walls and more.

In this guide, we’ll cover:

How a high-pressure cleaner works and what to look for
How to use it in different scenarios:
- Cleaning outdoor spaces
- Cleaning cars and trailers
- Cleaning motorbikes
- Cleaning bicycles (Road & MTB)
Which high-pressure cleaners from AHM Online to choose for each job

You can browse our full range here:
👉 Shop Pressure Washers at AHM Online

1. What Makes a High-Pressure Cleaner So Effective?

A pressure washer takes normal tap water and pushes it through a pump at high pressure. The combination of pressure and controlled flow means:

The jet gets into tiny gaps and pores that a hose can’t reach.
You need far less scrubbing, brushing and chemicals.
Because the flow is lower and the job goes faster, overall water use drops dramatically compared to cleaning with a normal hose.

Key specifications in simple terms

1. Pressure (bar / PSI)
Pressure is how “hard” the water hits the surface.

Light–duty (around 90–130 bar / 1300–1900 PSI): perfect for cars, bikes, garden furniture, small patios.
Medium–duty (120–150 bar / 2000–2600 PSI): better for driveways, paving, walls and gutters.
Heavy & semi-industrial (200–300+ bar / 3000+ PSI): for very dirty concrete, machinery and large areas – these must be used carefully on delicate surfaces.

2. Flow rate (L/min)
Flow is how much water passes through per minute. Higher flow rinses dirt away faster.

Domestic units often sit around 5–7 L/min – enough for quick rinsing and general home use.
Bigger petrol units can go to 9–15 L/min for large driveways, yards and machinery.

3. Electric vs Petrol

Electric: plug-and-play, quieter, ideal for homes, townhouses and regular car/bike cleaning.
Petrol: more power and flow, completely cordless (no extension leads), ideal for farms, workshops and larger properties.

2. How to Use a High-Pressure Cleaner in Real-World Scenarios

A. Cleaning Outdoor Spaces (Driveways, Paving, Walls & Some Decks)

Great for:

Driveways and parking bays
Paving and concrete paths
Boundary walls, garden walls and some exterior surfaces
Timber/composite decks (at low pressure and with care)

How to do it:

Start gentle, then work up
- Fit a fan nozzle (not a pinpoint jet).
- Stand ±50 cm away and test a small area.
- Only move closer or increase pressure if the dirt doesn’t shift.
Work in strips
- Clean in side-to-side strokes, overlapping slightly to avoid striping.
- For driveways, work from the house outwards so dirty water runs away from walls and doors.
Use detergent when needed
- Many machines have soap or foam options.
- Apply detergent, allow a short dwell time, then rinse at medium pressure.
Be careful with soft or old surfaces
- Old brick, crumbling mortar, loose pavers and fragile paint can be damaged by too much pressure.
- For timber decks, stick to modest pressure (around “light-duty” levels) and keep your distance to avoid stripping the grain.

B. Cleaning Cars & Trailers

Paint, rubber and seals are more delicate than concrete, so technique matters more than power.

Do this:

Pre-rinse on low to medium pressure
- Use a wide fan nozzle.
- Keep ±50–70 cm distance from the bodywork.
- Avoid prolonged spraying into panel gaps, window seals and tyre sidewalls.
Foam or detergent stage
- Attach the foam bottle or detergent feed if your washer has one.
- Cover the car/trailer, let it sit for 1–2 minutes (don’t let it dry in full sun).
Rinse top to bottom
- Work methodically from roof to lower panels.
- Keep the lance moving; no need to crank the pressure up.
Trailers
- Metal frames, mudguards and floors can handle a bit more pressure.
- Still treat lights, wiring, brakes and hubs with respect – don’t blast them at close range.

C. Cleaning Motorbikes

Motorbikes attract dirt like magnets – but also have exposed electronics, chains and bearings.

Smart bike-washing rules:

Use the lowest effective pressure with a fan spray.
Keep at least 50 cm away from paint, electrics and bearings.
You can move closer to mud-caked swingarms, wheels and undertrays – but avoid:
- Chain and sprockets
- Wheel bearings
- Switchgear and control pods

Finish with a proper chain lube once the bike is dry.

D. Cleaning Bicycles (Road & Mountain Bikes)

Modern bicycles (especially full-sus MTBs and high-end road bikes) are precision machines. Aggressive pressure right on seals and bearings is a bad idea.

Best practice:

Use a wide fan nozzle and minimum pressure.
Keep good distance and keep the spray moving.
Avoid direct jets into:
- Bottom bracket and headset
- Wheel hubs and pivot bearings
- Fork and shock seals
- Disc brake calipers and rotors (especially at very close range)

For road bikes, you’re mostly removing sweat and road film – low pressure, a bike shampoo and a soft brush are ideal.

For MTBs, pre-rinse muddy areas, then let detergents and brushes do the heavy lifting. Rinse gently and re-lube the drivetrain afterwards.

3. Recommended High-Pressure Cleaners from AHM Online

AHM Online stocks a focused, well-chosen range – from compact electric units to semi-industrial petrol machines.

Below are practical recommendations with direct links.

A. Best for Townhouses, Bikes & Light Home Use

Trade Professional HP1400 High Pressure Washer

👉 Trade Professional HP1400 High Pressure Washer

Max pressure: 100 bar (compact, light-duty)
Motor: 1200 W
Design: “Pocket rocket” style, built-in accessory storage, very portable.

Perfect for:

Driveways and small patios at home
One or two cars
Road bikes and mountain bikes (on low pressure)
Occasional outdoor cleaning when storage space is limited

If you live in a complex or just want an affordable “grab-and-go” washer, this is the sweet spot.

B. Best All-Rounder for Most Homes

Trade Professional HP2000 High Pressure Washer

👉 Trade Professional HP2000 High Pressure Washer

TRADE PROFESSIONAL HP2000 High Pressure Washer YouTube Info Video

Working pressure: around 100 bar with higher max rating for tougher jobs
Flow: designed for general home cleaning (cars, driveways, gutters).
Build: compact and easy to move, with sensible storage for the hose and lance.

Perfect for:

Regular cleaning of cars, trailers and small caravans
Driveways, paved areas and outdoor steps
Gutters and fascia boards (with the right attachments)

For many households, this is the best single “do-it-all” choice.

C. Best Electric Option for Larger Homes & Tougher Dirt

Trade Professional HP2400 High Pressure Washer

👉 Trade Professional HP2400 High Pressure Washer (AHM Online (Pty) Ltd)

Rated pressure: 120 bar – a solid medium-duty level.
Flow rate: 6.5 L/min, ideal for bigger driveways and general outdoor cleaning.
Features: low vibration and sound level, adjustable nozzle with multiple spray patterns.

Perfect for:

Block paving and large concrete or brick areas
Muddy vehicles, bakkies and off-road trailers
Roof tiles and stubborn algae/moss (using appropriate safety measures and nozzle)

If your property is larger and your dirt is a bit more “serious”, this gives you extra muscle without going petrol.

D. Petrol Power for Homes, Smallholdings & Workshops

Gentech 220 Bar / 3200 PSI DIY Petrol High Pressure Washer (GPPW3200)

👉 Gentech 220 Bar / 3200 PSI DIY Petrol High Pressure Washer

Pressure: 220 bar (3200 PSI) – firmly in the heavy-duty bracket.
Flow: 9.5 L/min – excellent for large areas.
Engine: petrol, with a heavy-duty frame and large wheels.
Includes: multiple quick-connect nozzles for blasting, lifting, spraying and soaping.

Perfect for:

Large driveways and courtyards
Workshops and smallholdings
Very dirty brick, concrete and farm equipment

Use wider nozzles and keep extra distance on cars and bikes – this machine has serious power.

E. Semi-Industrial Petrol Muscle for Tough Sites

Gentech 240 Bar / 3500 PSI Semi-Industrial Petrol Pressure Washer (GPPW3500)

👉 Gentech 240 Bar / 3500 PSI Semi-Industrial Petrol Pressure Washer

Pressure: 240 bar (3500 PSI).
Flow: 9.5 L/min.
Built for: semi-industrial cleaning – construction sites, big equipment and large vehicles.

Perfect for:

Fleet cleaning (trucks, busses, big trailers)
Construction equipment, compactors, mixers, etc.
Large workshop yards and heavily soiled surfaces

This is a true workhorse. For household jobs like bikes and cars, always step the pressure right down and use wide fan nozzles.

F. Heavy-Duty Industrial Option

Gentech 303 Bar / 4400 PSI Industrial Petrol Pressure Washer (GPPW4400)

👉 Gentech 303 Bar / 4400 PSI Industrial Petrol Pressure Washer

Pressure: 303 bar (4400 PSI).
Flow: 15 L/min – extremely high for fast rinsing of big areas.
Design: industrial-grade frame, large wheels and nozzles suited to heavy commercial work.

This sits squarely in the industrial category – ideal for contractors and very demanding environments, not necessary for typical domestic use.

G. Petrol All-Rounder for DIYers & Trades

Fragram MCOP1509 Pressure Washer – Black/Grey

👉 Fragram Mcop1509 Pressure Washer – Black/Grey

Max pressure: 2500 PSI (≈172 bar).
Flow: 9 L/min.
Engine: 6.5 HP 200 cc petrol engine.
Extras: built-in 3 L soap tank, 8 m hose and 5 quick-connect nozzles (0°, 15°, 25°, 40°, soaper).

Perfect for:

DIYers who want petrol performance without going full industrial
Tradesmen needing a reliable job-site washer
Large homes or smallholdings with a mix of domestic and tougher jobs

4. Safety Essentials (The Quick “Don’ts” List)

To enjoy all the benefits without nasty surprises:

Don’t spray people or pets. High-pressure water can cause serious injury at close range.
Don’t hit windows or electrical fittings directly at close range.
Don’t work on ladders with the washer running. The kickback from the lance can throw your balance.
Don’t use a pinpoint (0°) nozzle on cars, bikes, timber, soft stone or paintwork.
Always wear eye protection and closed shoes – small stones and debris can rebound at high speed.

5. Which High-Pressure Cleaner Should You Pick?

If you’ve read this far and you’re still unsure, here’s the super-short version:

Townhouse / Light Home Use / Bikes & One Car
→ Trade Professional HP1400
Most Standard Homes (Cars, Trailers, Driveways, Gutters)
→ Trade Professional HP2000
Bigger Properties, Muddy Vehicles, Lots of Paving
→ Trade Professional HP2400
Smallholding / Workshop / Serious DIY
→ Gentech 220 Bar DIY Petrol or
→ Fragram Mcop1509 Petrol Washer
Fleet, Farm or Semi-Industrial use
→ Gentech 240 Bar Semi-Industrial
→ Gentech 303 Bar Industrial (for the really big jobs)