Consumer Reports says that renting a pressure washer has its perks: You don't need the space to store it and you don't have to worry about taking care of it. But it might not be the most economical choice.
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You can rent a pressure washer at a home center for about $40 to $100 per day. You can buy a good electric model for about $150 and a gas model for about $350. So if you're going use it a lot, you may be better off buying one. Using it at least three times per year could be less expensive than the cost of a rental, depending on what kind of pressure washer you get.
Electric pressure washers are good for smaller jobs like patio furniture, a small deck, or walkways. Consumer Reports recommends the Greenworks pressure washer for $190.
If you've got bigger areas to clean, like a large deck, you might want to spend more money for a gasoline powered pressure washer. But there's an important safety concern to think about. CR currently doesn't recommend any gasoline powered pressure washers because they come with a red zero-degree pressure nozzle that creates a pinpoint stream. It's not necessary for cleaning and can be dangerous.
But if you do opt for a gasoline pressure washer, CR advises throwing out the zero-degree nozzle immediately to be sure no one in your household uses it.
In Consumer Reports' tests, the Generac rated Excellent for cleaning a range of different surfaces and offered very good pressure. It costs about $350.
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Consumer Reports says whether you rent or buy a pressure washer, it's important to be safe. Be sure to wear closed-toe shoes, safety goggles, and hearing protection whenever you're using it. And never use a pressure washer to clean a roof. It's dangerous to operate a pressure washer on a ladder, and it can damage the roof.
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