How to Choose a Pressure Washer

At Mi-T-M, we build performance into every pressure washer. But before you pick a unit, it’s important to match the machine to your specific cleaning needs. Whether you’re a homeowner looking to clean siding or a contractor tackling industrial surfaces, this guide walks you through five essential steps to make the right choice.

1. Your Cleaning Category
2. PSI, GPM, and Cleaning Units (CU)
3. Electric vs Gas Power
4. Hot Water vs Cold Water
5. Other Key Features and Options

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Step 1: Start With Your Cleaning Category

Not all cleaning jobs require the same pressure washer. To find the right fit, start by identifying the type of cleaning you’ll be doing most often. We’ve broken it down into four cleaning categories to help you match your needs with the right equipment.

Cleaning Categories

Category	Best For	Typical PSI	Typical GPM
Occasional Use	Homeowners and DIYers	1,300-2,000	1.2-2.0
Frequent Use	Property managers, farm and facility maintenance	2,000-3,000	2.0-3.0
Commercial Use	Contractors, mobile cleaning professionals	3,000-4,000	3.0-4.0
Industrial Use	Industrial cleaning crews and daily high-volume jobs	4,000+	4.0+

Each step up delivers more cleaning power, speed, and durability!

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Step 2: Understand PSI, GPM, and Cleaning Units (CU)

Two numbers define the cleaning power of a pressure washer:

• PSI (Pounds per Square Inch): the force of the water hitting the surface. Higher PSI breaks through tougher grime.
• GPM (Gallons per Minute): the flow rate or volume of water. Higher GPM rinses away debris faster.

Multiply PSI × GPM and you get Cleaning Units (CU), a single number that helps you compare cleaning performance across machines!

Real-World Example

Let’s compare two Mi-T-M pressure washers:

Model	PSI	GPM	Cleaning Units (CU)	Labor Time	Cost @ $80/hr
ChoreMaster® 3200	3,200	2.4	7,680 CU	8 hours	$640
CA Aluminum 4000	4,000	3.5	14,000 CU	4 hours	$320

Choosing the higher CU machine cuts your cleaning time in half, saving you hours of labor and hundreds of dollars over time.

Cleaning Units (CU) Reference by Cleaning Category

Category	CU Range	Typical Use
Occasional Use	2,000-5,000	Vehicles, patio furniture
Frequent Use	6,000-9,000	Siding, decks, sidewalks
Commercial Use	10,000-13,000	Heavy equipment, fleet wash
Industrial Use	14,000+	Construction sites, degreasing, large jobs

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Step 3: Choose Between Electric and Gas Power

Power source impacts everything from portability to maintenance, so it’s important to understand the trade-offs between electric and gas pressure washers.

Feature	Electric Pressure Washer	Gas Pressure Washer
Overall	Simpler, Easy to Use	Versatile, More Powerful
Noise	Quiet	Louder
Portability	Corded (limited range)	No cords, mobile
Where	Indoor	Outdoor, Job sites/Properties
Maintenance	Less Maintenance	More Upkeep

Mi-T-M offers both electric and gas-powered pressure washers to suit residential, commercial, and industrial use.
View them all here: Electric & Gas Pressure Washers »

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Step 4: Hot Water vs. Cold Water

One of the biggest decisions when choosing a pressure washer is whether you need hot or cold water. This choice dramatically affects cleaning power, application range, and long-term efficiency.

Cold Water Pressure Washers

• Best for general cleaning tasks: dirt and mud
• Lower cost, simpler design, easier to maintain
• Ideal for homeowners, property managers, and commercial use

Popular Uses: Siding, patios, vehicles, decks

Hot Water Pressure Washers

• Essential for removing grease, oil, and heavy grime
• Cuts cleaning time in half for tough jobs
• Ideal for industrial, food processing, automotive, and heavy equipment cleaning

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Step 5: Choose Key Features and Options

Once you’ve identified your cleaning category, power source, and water temperature needs, it’s time to narrow in on the features that impact performance, ease of use, and durability.

• Pump Type
• Portability & Frame Style
• Nozzle Types
• Detergent Systems
• Accessories

Pump Type

When selecting a pressure washer, the way the pump is driven affects durability, maintenance, and long-term value. Mi-T-M offers both direct drive and belt drive models depending on how frequently and intensively you use your machine.

Direct Drive Pumps:

• Best for up to 30 hours of use per week
• Pump is directly connected to the engine
• More compact and lower cost
• Ideal for homeowners, property managers, and mobile cleaning jobs

Belt Drive Pumps:

• Built for 30+ hours of use per week
• Uses a belt and pulley to isolate the pump from engine vibration
• Runs cooler and extends pump life
• Ideal for commercial wash bays, agriculture, and industrial users

Portability & Frame Style

Think about how and where you’ll use your pressure washer.

• Portable Carts: Two-wheel or four-wheel carts with pneumatic tires are ideal for job site mobility.
• Stationary Units: Perfect for wash bays or fixed commercial locations where portability isn’t needed.
• Wall-Mountable Units: Great for indoor facilities or dedicated cleaning stations.

Nozzle Types & Spray Patterns

Mi-T-M includes a full set of quick-connect nozzles, each designed for a specific task:

• 0° (Red): Concentrated, high-impact stream for tough stains
• 15° (Yellow): Stripping paint, cleaning concrete
• 25° (Green): General-purpose cleaning for siding, vehicles, patios
• 40° (White): Gentle rinse for delicate surfaces
• Soap Nozzle (Black): Low-pressure application of detergent

Mi-T-M also offers additional nozzles, like the Multi-Function Nozzle, Long-Range Nozzle, or Rotating Nozzle. To learn more about choosing the right nozzle, check out this guide.

Detergent Options

Make cleaning more efficient by using the right detergent setup. Mi-T-M offers a full line of cleaning solutions formulated to match our machines, whether you’re washing vehicles or tackling industrial grease.

Need Help Using Detergents? Watch our step-by-step video guide on how to properly apply pressure washer detergents for best results.

Accessories That Add Efficiency

Mi-T-M offers a wide range of optional tools and add-ons to save time and improve results:

• Surface cleaners: Ideal for driveways, decks, and other flat surfaces
• Hose reels: Keep hoses organized and kink-free
• Extension wands: Reach high places without ladders
• Rotating nozzles: Combine concentrated power with fast coverage

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Choose a Trusted Brand

With over 50 years of experience, Mi-T-M is trusted by contractors, municipalities, and facilities nationwide. Every unit is built in the USA with quality components and backed by a network of service centers.

✔ Engineered for durability
✔ Industry-leading warranty options
✔ Nationwide support and replacement parts

Mi-T-M designs pressure washers for every type of user — from homeowners and small businesses to full-scale industrial operations. Explore models by application level below:

Residential Pressure Washers

Perfect for occasional cleaning around the home, Mi-T-M’s residential units are compact, easy to use, and built with premium components for longer life.

Popular Uses: Vehicles, patios, siding, driveways
View Residential Models »

Commercial Pressure Washers

Designed for frequent use and higher cleaning demands, Mi-T-M’s commercial units offer more power, durability, and customization. Available in gas and electric models with cold water options.

Popular Uses: Property maintenance, fleet washing, job sites
View Commercial Models »

Industrial Pressure Washers

For non-stop cleaning in the toughest environments, Mi-T-M’s industrial-grade machines are built for performance, longevity, and custom configuration.

Popular Uses: Factories, agriculture, equipment cleaning, heavy degreasing
View Industrial Models »

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Ready to Choose? Explore Our Full Lineup

Find a Mi-T-M pressure washer that works as hard as you do.