More Litres, More Power? Not Always. Why LPM Isn’t Everything in Pressure Washing

When it comes to pressure washers, one spec gets thrown around a lot: LPM (litres per minute). The higher, the better — right?

Not quite.

It’s a common misconception that more water = more cleaning power. But the truth is, a higher flow rate doesn’t automatically give you a better clean. It just means you’re using more water — and potentially wasting it.

What Actually Matters: Pressure + Flow

The industry uses a formula called Cleaning Units to calculate overall cleaning power:
PSI (pressure) × LPM (flow) = Cleaning Units.

In other words, both pressure and flow matter — and it's the balance between them that really makes the difference.

According to industry standards, pressure washers rated between 1,300–2,000 PSI and around 6–9 LPM offer the ideal combo of cleaning effectiveness and water efficiency — exactly where the BLAHST R18 sits.

So Where Does That Leave the R18?

The BLAHST R18 delivers 6–8 LPM paired with up to 1,950 PSI — sitting right in that sweet spot recommended by experts for residential and light-commercial use. It’s more than enough to clean cars, utes, bikes, tools, driveways and even fire trucks (yep, some of our volunteer fire stations are using them to wash tankers).

And because you’re not blasting out unnecessary litres, you’re:

• Cleaning faster

• Wasting less water

• Making less mess

Compare that to high-flow washers pushing 12+ LPM — great for rinsing a giant truck yard, but total overkill (and over-splash) for the everyday user.

Less Water, Smarter Clean

A standard garden hose uses over 2,000 litres an hour, while a pressure washer with moderate flow like the R18 uses less than a quarter of that — and gets the job done faster.

High-pressure with moderate flow gives you:

• Better control

• Less runoff

• Cleaner results, faster

So don’t fall for the “bigger is better” myth. When it comes to pressure washing, it’s not about how much water you use — it’s how well you use it.

The R18: Aussie-Engineered Efficiency

The R18 isn’t just wall-mounted and retractable — it’s purpose-built to clean smarter, not wetter.

Backed by a german-made motor fine-tuned for everyday use, and trusted by enthusiasts, tradies, off-roaders and fire crews alike.