Gas or electric, which power washer would be right for you?

Until recently, only professional cleaning services used power washers. Now, homeowners are buying them in huge numbers. They’re the must-have for those who already have a riding mower in the garage. Before you head for the hardware store, however, decide how you will use the power washer so you know how powerful a machine to buy.

For tough jobs, such as cleaning the siding on the house, removing grease spots on garage floors, or stripping paint from a fence, you’ll need 2000 to 3000 pounds per square inch (PSI) of power driven by a gas engine. For lighter duty, electric models have 1000 to 1500 PSI and cost less. They have an adjustable nozzle. To begin, you set the nozzle wide open and be at least a few feet away from what you’re cleaning. You can move closer or close the nozzle tip somewhat to achieve the effect you want.

Product testers for Business Week say safety must be considered. Keep power washers away from children and wear shoes and safety glasses.

Lower PSI models are good for cleaning dirt from cars, lawn furniture, and first-floor windows. Indoors, they can be used to clean soap scum and mildew from tile in a shower stall.

The gasoline engine models are best for bigger projects, like washing boats and second-floor windows. They have a wide swath, which means you can clean driveways three times as fast as you could with an electric model.

A gas-powered washer requires more maintenance and takes more skill. A new user could put grooves in a redwood deck or punch a hole in wooden siding. And they require more maintenance than electric models.

Washington D.C. welcomes guests for Cherry Blossom festival

Early spring is the perfect time to visit Washington, D.C., where one of the most popular attractions is in full blood in late March and early April.

The Cherry Blossom Festival runs from March 20 to April 16.  This event focuses on the 3,700 beautiful cherry trees that were given to the U.S. by Tokyo in 1912.  The trees tend to hit their peak bloom at the end of March.

The festival features an homage to Japanese culture during the largest Japanese Street Festival in the U.S. with sushi, origami, J-Pop music, fireworks, a parade, and more.

Just because there is a festival going on doesn’t mean that the normal attractions Washington D.C. has to offer won’t be on display. Steeped in history, many of this city’s attractions are available at no cost so that anyone can learn about America’s history, culture, and arts.  Traditional stops include the Museum of Natural History, the Lincoln Memorial, war memorials, National Cathedral, and more.

It would be tough to run out of things to do on a trip to the capital, but it is important to note that reserving spaces for things such as tickets can potentially save a lot of time and money.  Frommer’s recommends that visitors seek these out weeks or even months in advance to ensure that they do not miss out on their favorite attractions.