Can a pressure washer be used without a hose? Yes, a pressure washer can be used without a hose. If there is no access to an outdoor faucet, then a bucket or a barrel filled with water can be used, instead. There are also pressure washers that have fitted tanks and don’t require a hose.
A pressure washer can make all the difference when it comes to cleaning. It has stronger cleaning power than a hose on its own and gets the job done faster.
But before you decide to reach for a bucket or barrel, there are a few important details to understand, so keep reading to make the right choice.
Related Reading: Can I Use an Expandable Hose with a Pressure Washer?
Using a Water Barrel
If you keep a water barrel that collects rainwater, then this is a great alternative to an outdoor faucet. Most barrels have a tap, and you can easily connect the pressure washer with the barrel. The force of gravity on the water acts as a way of generating pressure and this helps to push the water out without having to use excessive force or suction.
Another advantage of the barrel is that it can be more environmentally friendly as you’re using water that has been collected over time from rainfall and created a reservoir. The capacity of a barrel means you’re getting a good amount of water that might be sufficient enough to get the job done.
Similar to this is using swimming pool water. If you’re one of the lucky ones with a swimming pool, you can use that water to clean the patio in your garden.
If you’re planning on cleaning a small-sized boat then all you need to do is travel to your boating location and use the readily available water from the stream or river.
Using a Bucket
You can also use a bucket if that’s all you have. It’s not the most convenient because it does require filling up regularly. But if you’re washing something that’s not very big then it shouldn’t be a problem filling up your bucket a couple of times to get the job done. However, this will only work if you have a suction hose in your pressure washer. The suction hose pulls in the water and then releases it with pressure. If you don’t have a suction hose attachment then you should be able to order one from the manufacturer.
As mentioned before, the problem with this method is that it could mean that you’re having to refill your bucket very often especially if you’re trying to wash a larger item. It’ll probably be suitable for washing a bicycle, skateboard, or scooter.
The force of the water from this type of pressure washer may not be as powerful as compared to a washer that is connected to a hose and a tap, so the results will not be as effective. But this depends on what you’re washing and the results you want to get.
Another problem is that you might need to add a filter on the end of the hose when suctioning water to prevent any debris from getting into the washer.
Using Pressure Washers With Fitted Tanks
Some portable pressure washers are designed with fitted tanks which means they don’t need a connected water supply. These come in various sizes and they can have two tanks in one, so you can put detergent in and the other one can be filled with hot water. A pressure washer can store and mix the water and detergent seamlessly and give good effective cleaning. This can make life easy because you’re not carrying buckets of water or running a hose pipe from the kitchen. It also means that you are not location restricted and you can move about freely.
This is especially handy if you live in an apartment block where you don’t have access to an outdoor tap. The best thing about these washers is that some models are battery-powered, so they don’t need a constant power supply and they have excellent battery life.
They are usually small and portable and they don’t take up much storage space.
Portable washers are great for people who go on caravan trips as it’s easy to carry and store.
They’re also good for cleaning boats as you can use water from the lake or river easily.
Living in an apartment can also be a reason to invest in a portable washer as they are small and compact and can be easily stored away. There’s no need to worry about a hose and because most washers have wheels, they can be pulled along easily.
Use Online Forums and Reviews
If you want to get a better idea of the many ways to use a pressure washer without a hose then you can go to online forums like Reddit, Quora, and DIY forums. You’ll find people asking similar questions and many enthusiasts, including professionals giving pro tips and handy advice.
Customer reviews are also a good source of information if you’re looking at a particular washer that doesn’t need a hose. Customers will give short and to the point reviews about the performance of the pressure washer they purchased and if they worked well without a hose. Most will talk about what they washed without requiring a hose and whether they got good results.
Related Reading: Can You Use a 100 Ft Hose on a Pressure Washer?
The Takeaway
A pressure washer without a hose can give you great location flexibility and are adaptable to water from a bucket, barrel, and other water sources.
It’s also a great way to conserve water. Using a bucket, barrel or tank will help you use just the right amount of water required to get the job done and this has a positive impact on the environment and gives you peace of mind too!
Not having to hook up your pressure washer to a hose can make life so much easier when it comes to washing mid-sized to small items like outdoor furniture, wellington boots, children’s toys, and bicycles or scooters.
