Quick verdict
Outdoor furniture is cleaned at 1,500 to 2,000 PSI with a 40-degree nozzle, a foot of distance and a cleaner for mildew, and anything stronger strips paint, frays wicker and tears fabric. The Karcher K2 adjusts pressure on the wand for mixed sets; the Greenworks 1600 is the gentlest; the Craftsman 1700 stores itself. Wash cushions on low, metal on medium and the patio on high.
Karcher K2 Power Control Electric Pressure Washer
Outdoor furniture is a mix of teak, wicker, aluminum and fabric, and the Karcher K2 Power Control Vario Power wand twists from a gentle rinse to full 2,000 PSI so the same wand does each one. A DirtBlaster wand handles the mildewed patio under the table, the N-COR pump is built for long life, the hose is 26 feet and a detergent siphon applies cleaner.
The best pressure washers for outdoor furniture: Karcher K2 Power Control with adjustable wand, Greenworks 1600 PSI and Craftsman 1700 PSI, compared on gentle pressure, nozzles, soap and storage.
The picks at a glance
| Tool | Best for | Score /100 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Karcher K2 Power Control Electric Pressure Washer | Best Control for Mixed Furniture | 8.8 | Check price |
| Greenworks 1600 PSI 1.2 GPM Electric Pressure Washer | Gentlest for Cushions and Wicker | 8.5 | Check price |
| Craftsman 1700 PSI 1.2 GPM Electric Pressure Washer | Best Compact With Onboard Storage | 8.3 | Check price |
The picks, reviewed
Karcher K2 Power Control Electric Pressure Washer
Outdoor furniture is a mix of teak, wicker, aluminum and fabric, and the Karcher K2 Power Control Vario Power wand twists from a gentle rinse to full 2,000 PSI so the same wand does each one. A DirtBlaster wand handles the mildewed patio under the table, the N-COR pump is built for long life, the hose is 26 feet and a detergent siphon applies cleaner.
Reasons to buy
- Vario Power wand adjusts pressure
- DirtBlaster for the patio
- Long-life N-COR pump
- 26-foot hose
Reasons to avoid
- Karcher proprietary fittings
- 1.45 GPM
- Universal motor
Greenworks 1600 PSI 1.2 GPM Electric Pressure Washer
At 1,600 PSI with 25 and 40-degree nozzles and a soap applicator, the Greenworks 1600 is the gentlest washer here and the one for wicker, cushions and painted metal that stronger machines strip. Greenworks names patio furniture in its purpose, the 35-foot GFCI cord reaches the patio and the price is low.
Reasons to buy
- 1,600 PSI is furniture-safe
- 25 and 40-degree nozzles
- 35-foot GFCI cord
- Low price
Reasons to avoid
- Too gentle for a dirty patio
- 20-foot hose
- Plastic frame
Craftsman 1700 PSI 1.2 GPM Electric Pressure Washer
The Craftsman 1700 PSI stores its nozzles, hose, cord and wand on board, so it lives on a shelf and comes out for a furniture wash twice a year without a hunt for parts. A soap applicator bottle applies cleaner, the 20-foot hose is kink resistant and Craftsman names cars and patios as its jobs.
Reasons to buy
- Everything stores on board
- Soap applicator bottle
- Compact
- Three-year warranty
Reasons to avoid
- 20-foot hose
- Universal motor
- Plastic
Why furniture wants a gentle washer
A patio set is four or five materials in one: powder-coated aluminum, resin wicker, teak, acrylic cushions and glass. Each tolerates a different pressure, and the 3,000 PSI machine that cleans the driveway strips paint from the frame, frays the wicker and drives water into the cushions. The washer for furniture is a light electric in the 1,600 to 2,000 PSI class with a 40-degree nozzle, a way to apply soap and, ideally, a wand that adjusts so the same pass can be gentle on fabric and firmer on metal. The three here are that, and they differ in control, gentleness and convenience.
This guide is built from the published specifications and manuals of each washer and from recurring owner feedback. We have not run these washers ourselves.
How the three compare
| Washer | Pressure | Flow | Control | Soap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Karcher K2 Power Control | Up to 2,000 PSI | 1.45 GPM | Vario Power wand | Siphon hose |
| Greenworks 1600 | 1,600 PSI | 1.2 GPM | 25 and 40 nozzles | Soap nozzle |
| Craftsman 1700 | 1,700 PSI max | 1.2 GPM | Nozzles | Applicator bottle |
Karcher K2 Power Control: one wand for everything
The Vario Power wand twists from a rinse for cushions to full pressure for a mildewed aluminum frame, which means a mixed set is washed without swapping tips. The DirtBlaster wand handles the patio under the table, the N-COR pump is built for years of occasional use, the 26-foot hose reaches across a patio and a siphon hose draws cleaner from a bottle. Karcher uses its own fittings, which is the one thing to know before buying accessories.
Greenworks 1600: the gentlest
Sixteen hundred PSI with a 40-degree nozzle at a foot is about as gentle as a pressure washer gets, and it is the setting for cushions, resin wicker and painted metal that would chip under more. Greenworks lists patio furniture among its jobs and includes 25 and 40-degree nozzles and a soap applicator. The 35-foot GFCI cord reaches the patio from a garage outlet. It is too gentle for a dirty driveway, which is the point.
Craftsman 1700: ready on the shelf
A furniture washer is used in spring and fall and spends the rest of the year on a shelf, and the Craftsman 1700 stores its nozzles, hose, cord and wand on board so nothing is lost between uses. A soap applicator bottle applies cleaner, the 20-foot hose resists kinks and Craftsman names patios and cars as its purpose. It is the compact, tidy choice.
Washing furniture well
Take cushions off and wash them separately on the lowest setting with a mild soap, rinse and dry on edge in the sun. Wash metal frames at medium with a 25-degree nozzle, keeping off chipped paint. Wash resin wicker at low with a 40-degree nozzle from a foot away, with the weave. Teak and other wood get a wood cleaner and a brush rather than pressure. Wash the patio last at full pressure, with the furniture off it.
Which one should you buy
Buy the Karcher K2 Power Control for a wand that adjusts to every material. Buy the Greenworks 1600 for the gentlest washer for cushions and wicker. Buy the Craftsman 1700 for a compact machine that stores itself.
How we research
This guide is built from the published specifications, manuals and warranty terms of each product and from recurring owner feedback. We have not run these products ourselves; where a maker does not publish a figure we say so rather than guess.
What to look for
Adjustable or low pressure
Furniture wants 1,500 PSI or less at the surface. A Vario wand or a 1,600 PSI machine with a 40-degree nozzle delivers it.
Soap
Mildew on cushions and wicker is lifted by cleaner. A siphon or soap bottle applies it.
Hose reach
Furniture is washed on the patio, away from the tap. Twenty-five feet of hose or a long cord helps.
Storage
A furniture washer is used twice a year. One that stores its parts on board is ready.
Our verdict
Outdoor furniture is cleaned at 1,500 to 2,000 PSI with a 40-degree nozzle, a foot of distance and a cleaner for mildew, and anything stronger strips paint, frays wicker and tears fabric. The Karcher K2 adjusts pressure on the wand for mixed sets; the Greenworks 1600 is the gentlest; the Craftsman 1700 stores itself. Wash cushions on low, metal on medium and the patio on high.
FAQs
Most woven acrylic cushions, yes, at low pressure with a 40-degree nozzle from a foot away, after a mild soap. Check the care tag; some fabrics are hand wash only.
Resin wicker tolerates low pressure at a distance. Natural wicker should be washed by hand.
Up to 2,000 PSI with a 25-degree nozzle is fine on powder-coated metal. Avoid chipped paint, which lifts.
At low pressure with the grain, yes, but it raises the grain. A teak cleaner and a brush is the gentler route.
