You know when you get that first glimpse of the warmer spring weather and you start getting excited about getting to enjoy your outside area more… and then you look at your patio and it says heck no - we know the feeling.
After a long fall and winter, your patio is going to be looking worse for wear, even so much so sometimes that it has completely changed color from all the dirt and debris that’s accumulated over the last few months.
If it’s time to start getting the outdoor furniture back out from storage but your patio is looking too unsightly for even yourself to enjoy, let alone guests, then we’ve got you covered to get it back looking clean and maintained ready for you to enjoy again.
So let’s get into how you can deep clean your patio.
Pressure Washing
One of the easiest and most effective ways you can get your patio looking tidy and ready for summer again is by using a pressure washer.
If you’ve got a particularly soft stone or an old patio, then the pressure from the washer may crack or break so it may be better for you to use a regular yard hose instead.
Before you begin pressure washing your patio, you’ll want to remove any outdoor furniture, grills, ornaments, and pots out of the way first before they get damaged. Wear some old clothes you don’t mind getting dirty and even wear some goggles to protect your eyes from any flying debris.
Use a sweeping brush or a leaf blower and then collect any excess debris or dirt and place it into a black bag. This will make it easier to get your patio cleaner with the pressure washer.
Connect the pressure washer to your electricity mains and the hose and attach your patio cleaning head if you have one.
If your pressure washing device has a detergent chamber then put in your cleaning solution, or if not, you could apply detergent to the patio surface to help break down and dissolve the dirt.
Start spraying your washer on the patio from a good distance away. Take care not to apply too much pressure to one area for too long. When it’s completely clean, sweep excess water into a drainage point to prevent algae from forming.
If you don’t have a pressure washer, then you could ask a friend or family member to lend you theirs to do the job. You’ve even got the option of renting a pressure washer from a company for a few hours and then returning it when you’re done. This way you won’t have to buy a unit of your own and then have it sit unused for a large portion of the year.
How can I clean my patio without a pressure washer?
If you don’t have a pressure washer then there are other ways that you can get your patio clean again, but it will take a little more time and effort. Before doing both of these methods, you should sweep away excess dirt or leaves or use a leaf blower to get rid of everything before you clean the surface.
Dish Soap & Warm Water
If your patio is not looking too bad and could just do with a minor clean-up ready for the springtime, then you’ll be able to use just warm soapy water in a bucket and a bristled brush.
Start by splashing some of the soapy water on the patio and then using a broom or bristled hand brush start scrubbing diagonally (this will prevent the jointing compound from coming out).
If you’re using a hand brush we’d recommend finding a kneeling pad for your legs otherwise they get sore very quickly, especially if you’re doing a large patio. You may also need to go fill up your bucket with fresh soapy water halfway through.
Once you’ve done the whole patio, get some clean buckets of water and wash away to clear away the debris and dirty water into a drainage point. You may also want to get a broom to dustpan and brush to clear excessive dirt.
White Vinegar & Baking Soda
If your patio is looking pretty grubby but you don’t want to use any harsh toxic cleaning chemicals on there, then you can make a homemade cleaning solution using white vinegar, vinegar, baking soda with a brush and bucket.
Pour one cup of baking soda into your bucket, then add two cups of white vinegar with one cup of warm water and mix until it becomes a creamy soup consistency.
You can use a mop to spread the mixture over the surface of your concrete or you can pour the bucket over your patio (you may need to re-make the mixture a handful of times for big patios).
Leave the solution to sit on your patio for up to an hour so it can break down the dirt and then come back and use a bristle brush to scrub away the dirt.
You may want to pour clean water or use a hose to wash away the dirty solution down into a drainage area.
Does bleach remove black spots on patio?
Yes, if you have mildew stains that have formed black spots or patches on your patio then you can use chlorine bleach and water to get rid of them. However, you’ll need to take care and make sure you dilute the bleach to a safe level so that it won’t kill any nearby plants or be harmful to wildlife, children, or pets in your home.
Mix one part bleach with two parts water in a spray bottle and spray onto your patio. Alternatively, you could use a bucket and a mop to spread the solution.
Leave it for 30 minutes and then use a scrubbing brush to remove the black spots. Then rinse it off with your yard hose, taking care that the solution doesn’t touch nearby greenery.
What is the best product for cleaning patios?
Whilst basic or homemade solutions will do an effective job at cleaning your patio, sometimes using designated patio wash will do the best job on it.
Our recommendation is the Oxy Total Outdoor Cleaner that’ll be able to remove dirt, stains, and mold from the surface of your patio. Use this cleaning solution alongside a good pressure washer and you’ll have your patio looking brand new in no time.
Should you jet wash a patio?
Jet washing is a great way to cut down the labor time of doing your patio by hand, however, some risks come with it. The pressure of the water can cause surface degradation and can also lift the joint paving or the sand out, so you shouldn’t spray for too long on one area.
If you’ve got a really old patio, then we’d recommend using the manual techniques to keep the patio clean but without damaging the structure of it as it might be fragile.
However, if your patio is relatively new and in prime condition, then you can use your jet wash on it a maximum of twice a year to keep it looking clean but also in strong condition.
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