Karcher - a quick, cool clean! (Karcher High Pressure Washer)

Member Name: libra10

Product:	Karcher High Pressure Washer
Date:	22/06/01 (2260 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: quick to use, efficient, powerful, environmentally friendly

Disadvantages: slightly expensive, heavyish (needs trolley), noisy

We recently purchased the Karcher 380 high-pressure washer, and are delighted with the excellent results achieved with this little gem. It cleans everything, from patios and driveways to cars and bikes. All outdoor areas are now sparklingly clean. We had forgotten the exact colours of the flags which had been weathering through the worst that winter could throw at us.

The Karcher removes algae and moss (which can become very slippery and dangerous) with no trouble at all. It’s so speedy and efficient that I should have purchased one years ago. And it is really easy to use. Just attach a hose pipe to the coupling at the front of the machine, ensure that water is coming through, and switch on. It is recommended that a safety cut-out device that will interrupt the power supply in an emergency, be fitted. The lead is long enough to reach a considerable distance. I use a power point in the kitchen for rear areas, and one in the hall for the front driveway.

This nifty little machine has 2 speeds which can be altered by rotating the nozzle end. There is a slight kick back when it is switched on, but nothing major. Watch out when using the Ferrari top speed - everything not tied down goes skittering across the garden! Stones, gravel, any loosened cement between flags, even the cat thought I was taking pot shots at him. But you soon get used to the power and learn which areas to avoid. If you have pets, the Karcher is really useful for cleaning the areas they use outdoors. After all, they aren't too particular.

The slower speed is useful for cleaning cars and bikes. Especially good if your children have been off-roading through fields and ditches. Attachments such as brushes can be fitted to the machine to help clean bike spokes, car wheels etc.

It is environmentally friendly as it uses cold water - the high pressure saves water compared to a garden hosepipe. The only disadvantages are that the machine is qui
te noisy - I certainly wouldn't use it later in the evening. And it's also quite heavy, although I understand that a trolley can be purchased. This would certainly make it more mobile.

It was considerably more expensive than several other models in the store, but Karcher was a name I had heard of and hoped would be reliable. The manufacturers guarantee after sales service within two days, at your home if problems occur. The machine is small enough to store outside in a cluttered shed, although water should be completely drained out as frost can damage it.

I only wish I could use this machine indoors!

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