To maintain your outdoor space, sweep the deck weekly to minimize buildup. “Try sweeping with a stiff broom and spot cleaning with a long-handled scrub brush as needed,” Barnard says.
Cleaning your pavers annually will keep them clear of dirt and grime. Because your hardscape is outside, it most likely has built up a lot of dirt and grime that you might not even notice. Many pavers are also made out of porous materials, meaning that staining can occur and can be hard to remove.
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.
You can use a pressure washer on wooden decking, stones or brick paved patios which are bound together with concrete. However, we don't recommend using it to clean a block-paved patio, as it will simply wash away all the sand and dirt which binds the bricks together.
When is the best time of the year to pressure wash a patio? Spring and summer are the best seasons to pressure wash patios.
Dirt and mud are probably the most common culprit behind a dirty patio, but they are also the easiest to clean. However, the organic growth that populates the rest of the above list can be pesky and pervasive. Algae, mold, mildew, lichen, and moss thrive in damp environments.
For the most part, you will not need special products for cleaning paving slabs: a mild, gentle soap such as washing up liquid and water will often work just fine. Mix it for a few seconds until you see a nice foam forming on the top.
Many of us think the best method to clean our patios is to blast the dirt away with the intensive force of a pressure washer. While this may seem like the simplest option, you're actually causing more harm than good! Pressure washing your patio can cause significant damage to the integrity of the paving slabs.
While individual pavers may become damaged or the surface of your patio or driveway may become uneven and need to be leveled, the overall installation can be expected to last for decades.
Also, both wooden decks and concrete patios must be power washed and scrubbed, sanded, or ground until smooth before they can be resealed. If properly maintained, both surface types can last upwards of 30 years.
Clean the patio floors.
Create a cleaning solution of warm water and few drops of dish soap and apply it to the surface. Let it sit for a while, then mop the patio and rinse it with fresh water. Repeat the process as many times as needed.
Remove all furniture, grills, plants, and toys from the patio. Use a broom or leaf blower to remove all loose debris. Then use a garden hose with a spray nozzle to wet down the concrete.
Most experts recommend waiting for at least 24 to 48 hours before sealing the new pavers after installation. This gives the pavers time to settle and ensures that they're completely dry before being sealed. If you live in an area with a lot of rain or snow, it's best to wait even longer to seal the brick pavers.
The Pink Stuff Cream Cleaner has received internet acclaim not just for what it can do inside the house, but for yard pavers and patios too.
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.
And, while it may be tempting to use household bleach for a quick clean, Beril says that this can ruin the patio stones and leave them looking patchy. 'There are many specialist patio cleaning products on the market including brick acid,' she cautions.
Wash patio slabs with white vinegar
White vinegar is great at lifting stubborn dirt and household stains, and it can even be repurposed in your garden too. This eco-friendly solution should be made with equal parts white vinegar and water and left to soak into the patio to correct discolouration and remove tough marks.
Experts agree that spring or fall is the best time to pressure or power wash your house. The goal is to avoid cleaning when the temperature is too cold or hot. The best practice is to ensure that you pressure wash your home once per year between March and November when the temperatures are not extreme.
Alternatively, the patio can be cleaned with home remedies. For example, you can use soap diluted in warm water or make your own cleaner. All you need is a little bicarbonate soda or vinegar. However, before you get to work, it is advisable to test the cleaner on an inconspicuous part of the patio.
Squirt a small amount of washing-up liquid into the bucket and fill with warm water, ensuring there are enough soap suds. 2. Start in the corners of the patio and splash a little water and scrub with the brush. The dirt and debris should start to lift.
'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
Bruce Rodriguez, the owner of LAX Concrete Contractors says dish soap and water will remove any dirt, grease, or oil that has accumulated over time. 'However, don't rely on this alone. You'll need to give the patio slab a good scrubbing with a stiff-bristled brush, at Amazon, afterward,' he says.