A surface cleaner for assemblies having a spray nozzle such as pressure washers, spray wands, spray lances, and the like. The surface cleaner includes a guide having wheels in line with the spray nozzle for substantially maintaining the distance from the spray nozzle to a surface through a variety of angles assumed by the spray wand or the like. In exemplary embodiments, the guide is capable of being moved up and down the spray lance or the like for control of the cleaning force, and a set of markings may be provided on the guide, the spray lance, or the like for indicating the appropriate distance for the spray nozzle from many different surfaces. Additionally, the guide allows for one handed operation of the spray wand assembly.