Concrete paint is a remarkably effective way of making tired concrete patios look as good as new. These come in a range of colours and can make cleaning and maintenance much easier. To apply concrete paint make sure your patio has been cleaned thoroughly as described in the previous section.
Bleach is a great way to clean pavers because it is a strong disinfectant. It will kill any germs or bacteria on the surface and remove any molds, plus it will also brighten them up. It is common to mix bleach with water; however, you can also add other ingredients to make it more effective.
To clean smaller surfaces areas, pH-neutral soap, a little water, and a brush are suitable. If you want to clean larger areas of natural stone efficiently, you can reach for the electric patio cleaner or work with the pressure washer and a surface cleaner.
Sodium Hypochlorite Patio Cleaners are used for more stubborn stains as you need the EXTRA strength solution, which is 50% stronger than the heavy duty solution and may be diluted with up to 6 parts water and 1 part Sodium Hypochlorite 15%.
On the other hand, baking soda is useful because it is slightly abrasive, which is excellent for the rough surfaces of paving slabs. When it is mixed with water, it can dissolve dirt and grease, and like vinegar, you'll only need a brush or broom when cleaning.
While researching how to remove patio black spots you may have come across “Sodium Hypochlorite” which is a very strong bleach and while it may remove black spots, it will also damage the surface of anything it comes into contact with.
'Due to moisture and shaded areas, black spots on patio slabs are often caused by mold, mildew, or lichen growth,' explains Amber Noyes, Horticulturist and Editor, Gardening Chores. 'It's essential to tackle this issue as soon as you notice it because these organisms can damage the patio over time.
In order to try this hack for yourself, mix half white vinegar and water together. Before cleaning, we recommend decluttering and sweeping your patio so it is clear of any debris or dirt. Once your patio is clear, pour the vinegar solution over the areas that need cleaning and leave for 20 minutes.
Whilst vinegar will not directly dissolve concrete itself, but it will degrade the cement that binds your concrete slabs or flags together. Extended exposure to vinegar will also cause any polish or sealant on your pavers to erode over time, leading to bleaching, stains and weathering.
Discoloration in later life can result from atmospheric or organic coloring; the concrete is just dirty. This type of discoloration is usually removed by high-pressure washing with high-pressure water and, if necessary, chemical cleaning agents. The use of calcium chloride on concrete can discolor the surface.
As a gentler cleaner, bleach can't harm concrete's durable material.
However, if you want to use bleach or vinegar, you need to be aware of the mixture and their drawbacks. With bleach, you want it to be a 5:1 (water:bleach) mixture and only use it on natural paving slabs such as stone. It will damage porcelain and other man-made materials.
Treat patio stains.
Water stains, mold, and mildew: Use a garden hose or pressure washer to remove water stains or mildew. If this doesn't do the trick, mix a solution of 3/4 cup bleach and 1 gallon water. Wearing protective gear, including rubber gloves, scrub the area with a brush. Rinse thoroughly with clean water.
Wash patio slabs with white vinegar
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. You should first move all plants and furniture out of the way, then sweep the area to remove any moss.
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.
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.
'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. '
Wash with soapy water
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.
Clorox Concentrated Outdoor Bleach makes it easy to tackle outdoor stains, dirt and grime on patio furniture, decks, fences, driveways, house siding and more with this outdoor bleach cleaner.
30 SECONDS Outdoor Cleaner does not contain regular household bleach. Instead, 30 SECONDS uses a sodium-hypochlorite formula that works rapidly to clean stains from algae, mold and mildew. Unlike bleach, it's safe to use around your lawn and landscaping and breaks down once rinsed into the soil.
Indoor bleach can be used for outdoor projects but outdoor bleach has a bit more bleach and contains other cleaning agents and surfactants that are not in laundry bleach. Your washing machine will not likely care but you clothes might.