Guide to Understanding Pressure Washer PSI and GPM

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As you research pressure washers, it’s important to understand the measures used to gauge their power. PSI stands for pounds per square inch. This measures the water pressure coming out of the wand. To give you a reference point, know that a regular garden hose shoots out water at 30 to 40 PSI. In comparison, a pressure washer usually has a PSI of several thousands. It’s what allows the pressure washer to break through layers of dirt and grime.

Another common term used to describe pressure washers is GPM. This stands for gallons per minute, the amount of water shooting out of the pressure washer every minute. A high GPM ensures that the pressure washer shoots out enough water to wash away the grime on the surfaces you’re cleaning.

You can multiply the PSI and the GPM to get the cleaning power rating. A high number guarantees that your pressure washer can handle tough cleaning tasks.

Brittany Rowland Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

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