One of the best things for household stains is white vinegar, and the same can be said for how it targets stubborn garden dirt. This eco-friendly solution is made up of equal parts vinegar and water, which is then left to soak into the patio to correct any discolouration and also remove tough marks.
Vinegar can be applied directly or in a 1:1 ratio with water. In the case of bicarbonate soda, dissolve 1 to 5 tablespoons in 10 litres of water, depending on the degree of soiling. The mixture must now soak in for 15 to 20 minutes. The patio is then cleaned with a scrubber and finally rinsed with clean water.
Make this simple homemade patio cleaner to get your concrete or pavers looking brand new. Make a paste with two parts of baking soda to one part of vinegar. Spread the paste on the patio surface and scrub with a brush (we like a long-handled one so you don't have to bend over).
'A homemade cleaning solution for your patio can be made by mixing equal parts water and white vinegar,' says Zak. 'This natural cleaner is effective in removing dirt, mildew, and algae. For stubborn stains, you can add a few drops of liquid dish soap to the mixture. '
The classic and easiest method is to wash your paving slabs with warm water mixed with dish soap, rubbing it in with a brush before rinsing it with water and allowing it to dry fully.
Use a mild grease-cutting detergent such as Dawn or Ajax dishwashing liquid mixed with water and a natural or synthetic bristle scrub brush to help brighten the patio surface. NOTE: Never use a wire brush as it can leave rust stains and scratch the concrete surface.
It's not uncommon for concrete patios and sidewalks to develop mildew or layers of dirt over time. Vinegar will kill the mildew and cut through the grime and dirt. You can use vinegar to clean your concrete patio or sidewalk, with or without a pressure washer. Be sure to choose a day with mild temperatures.
Cleaning a patio with bleach is easy.
Whether your patio is sealed concrete or cement, or even sealed concrete pavers, a bleach and water solution makes it easy to clean away built up soil, stains from leaves and pollen, mold, mildew and algae.
Experts say they can do the trick for the patio as well. 'You can remove black spots easily from patios in an eco-friendly, low-cost way, with white vinegar,' says Laura Harnett, Founder, Seep. 'It has antifungal and antibacterial properties and will also stop the mould or lichen growing back.
Giving your patio a power wash at the start of the warm weather season will rid it of any dirt, mildew or algae growth and have it looking good as new. That first power wash should keep your patio clean throughout the summer and is best to be repeated each year at the start of the Spring.
Cleaning patio slabs with bleach
It is important for us to mention that it may be more environmentally friendly to use detergents than bleach. The bleach will get into the cracks and dramatically improve the look of your patio by killing things like weeds, moss, and algae.
Vinegar or baking soda: These natural cleaners work well to clean cement patios with stubborn charcoal or rust spots. Mix equal parts vinegar and water, scrub the patio with the mixture, then give it a good rinse. If stains don't dissolve, try undiluted vinegar.
You can clean wood and concrete patios and pavers with minor stains with a simple solution of dish soap and water. However, you can use a 50:50 vinegar and water solution to clean more intense surface stains (but use more vinegar if your patio has more difficult stains to scrub).
Get Oxygen Bleach
Another relatively safe and environmentally friendly solution for cleaning concrete is an oxygen bleach product, such as OxiClean. Just be sure to wear rubber gloves, as bleach products can be tough on skin. Sprinkle the powerful solution over the entire patio and scrub it with an ordinary push broom.
When using Dawn Powerwash, you should avoid cleaning porous surfaces such as marble and other soft natural stones or untreated wood. It is also best to keep Dawn Powerwash away from painted surfaces, too. Always make sure to test new cleaning products on inconspicuous areas of surfaces first.
Yes, vinegar is an excellent concrete cleaner. This solution can strip surface-level messes from concrete. Due to its acidic properties, vinegar can be a powerful tool for breaking down offensive materials such as dirt, stains, and bacteria.
But that's not all; chlorine bleach can also be used for cleaning the concrete driveway. Of course, you should dilute it with equal parts of water or a 1:1 ratio. With the mixture ready, spray it on the driveway, allowing it to sit for 10 minutes. Then, use a stiff brush before rinsing with clean water.
Hose Pipe. While many homeowners don't have access to a pressure washer, most with outside space will own a hose pipe. And you can buy an attachment that will direct the water at exterior surfaces in a more concentrated jet.
A common and cheap laundry product gets rid of moss and algae from patios and driveways, cleaning fans say. Many people say a green tinge develops in paved areas outside their homes during the cold and wet winter months as algae, lichens and moss develop.
To remove mildew stains, mix 2 cups of liquid chlorine bleach and 2 1/2 tablespoons of powdered laundry detergent into 1 1/2 quarts of warm water. Thoroughly saturate the stained area with the solution and allow it to set for 10 to 15 minutes. Wearing rubber gloves, scrub the stains with a stiff broom.