Using a pressure washer instead of a garden hose and a bucket to clean your car at home makes a great deal of sense.

Where a garden hose will provide a lot of water volume, to get a really good finish, you also need to add a fair amount of manual effort.

The pressure washer, however, will achieve the same result with less water, less chemical and a lot less effort. Better for the environment, better for the wallet. A true win/win.

Here's how to do it:

Stage 1.

Park your car on a firm, dry area of your lawn.Rinse your car thoroughly with the pressure cleaner nozzle set on the widest fan. Start from the roof and work down. Even if you wash your vehicle regularly, there will be some dust and dirt that can be removed with just a water spray. Give the wheel wells and the vehicle under body a good clean as well.

Stage 2.

Apply a detergent either through the pressure washer's detergent injection system or by using a Karcher foaming lance. Always ensure that the detergent is approved for both washing vehicles and for use with a pressure cleaner. Do not apply if the vehicle is in full sun.

Stage 3.

Allow the detergent time to react with the surface dirt. 3 - 5 minutes is usually enough. Ensure that the detergent does not dry on the surface.

If required, a rotating brush accessory attached to the pressure washer will make short work of built up, stubborn dirt. It also makes it a lot easier to clean dirty sill panels, side steps, etc.

Stage 4. 

Rinse under high pressure. Again, start from the top and work down, ensuring there are no traces of detergent left. Adjust the distance of the nozzle from the surface to provide the maxuimum coverage without causing damage to the paint or fittings. A distance of around 600 mm is OK, more if the pressure washer is powerful.

Stage 5.

Count the savings. You will have a well maintained car, cleaned when you like and how you like, for a fraction of the cost of car washes. As well, you lawn gets a water.

Some golden rules:

It's not advisable to let the water from car washing to enter our storm water systems. Washing your car on the grass will both water the grass and allow for natural filtration.

Always check with your local water authority for any restrictions that may be in place.

Always use detergents that are designed for the job.