Best pressure washer for cleaning a 20-year-old deck?

Hey all, I'm planning to clean and stain my deck this spring. It's about 400 sq ft, old wood with some algae and peeling stain. I'm a total newbie. Should I get an electric or gas pressure washer? Budget around $300. Thanks!

For $300, go electric. You don't need the extra power of gas for a deck, and electric is quieter and less maintenance. Look for one with at least 1800 PSI and 1.2 GPM. Brands like Sun Joe or Ryobi are good in that range. Also, get a surface cleaner attachment - it'll save you time and prevent gouging the wood.

I'd say gas if you plan to use it for driveways or other tough jobs later, but for just a deck electric is fine. But whatever you get, use a wide fan tip (40 degrees) and keep the nozzle moving. Don't get too close or you'll etch the wood. Also, consider using a wood cleaner or bleach solution before pressure washing. I'd recommend a product like Behr Deck Cleaner.

Wait, you're pressure washing a deck? I always advise against it - it's easy to damage the wood. Have you considered using a deck scrub brush and a cleaner instead? That's safer for old wood. If you do pressure wash, go electric and use a low-pressure turbo nozzle. And wear safety glasses! I've seen too many people get hurt.

Thanks everyone. I think I'll go with an electric and be careful. Larry, I'll look into the brush method too. What brand of surface cleaner do you recommend for an electric washer?