An annual deep clean will keep patio paving in good shape, and leave it looking its best ahead of the warmer months.
Overusing your pressure washer is one of the patio cleaning mistakes to avoid – whether you have learned this the hard way or simply don't have a pressure washer, we've put together a simple step-by-step to get your patio summer-ready without the need for powerful jets.
Here's how to scrub up your stone and mortar without a pressure washer.
How to wash patio pavers without a pressure washer
The good news is it's straightforward and uses basic cleaning products you'll have lying around, it just might be a little tiring, so get all hands on deck for this backyard cleaning task.
1. Prepare the space
If possible, clear your patio area entirely, moving all plant pots, outdoor furniture, and your best grill – and any backyard clutter – out of the way while you clean the space and allow it to dry. Putting it back prematurely could mean moisture gathers beneath the feet of outdoor furniture, for example, leaving marks.
It's a good chance to assess whether everything is earning its place and do some backyard decluttering, repairing, or getting rid of anything that is damaged or didn't get used last year.
Before you get to work cleaning, it's a good idea to remove weeds and moss, so you don't accidentally rub green coloring into the stone and mortar while sweeping. Preparation is key, so take the time to get rid of weeds, dead leaves, and debris that will have been collected while we've kept cozy indoors over winter. Some gardening gloves, available at Amazon, will make things much more comfortable.
2. 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. This will take some elbow grease, sure, but an afternoon of cleaning is well worth it for a summer of cookouts and outdoor lunches with your patio looking immaculate. Clean outdoor cushions and furniture ready to use over the summer, too.
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.
Bear in mind the weather conditions, too; a warm, overcast day is ideal, much like when cleaning windows, because the cleaning solution will dry but not so quickly that it leaves soapy streaks.
3. Or, make a natural cleaning solution
Your paving is one of the many things you can clean with vinegar – just make sure you have white vinegar designed for cleaning, available at Walmart, rather than distilled vinegar, or you won't get the best results.
It's also worth noting that vinegar is highly acidic and can degrade the concrete in between slabs and the pavers themselves, so be sure to rinse and skip this step if in any doubt. Gretchen Boyd, a cleaning professional at a New York-based cleaning company says a mixture of white vinegar and water is good for particularly tough stains, so if you've tried the dish soap and water and some marks still won't budge, this might help shift them.
Dilute white vinegar with water in a bucket, at Walmart, and apply this natural cleaning solution to the paving slabs with a firm brush and be sure to rinse.
4. Add a sealant
A final, optional step is to apply a protective sealant to the slabs, says Gretchen Boyd. This gives extra shine, protects slabs from future staining and weathering, and generally keeps the patio looking its best.
FAQs
What is the best homemade patio cleaner?
Jason Watson Todd, the founder of Terravita, a landscape design studio in Ibiza, recommends using either a 1:1 mix of water and carbonated water or a mixture of water and baking soda, to scrub up natural stone pavers and remove some mildew.
While it might feel a little laborious, you'll be glad you took the time to clean your space ready for lots of outdoor entertaining.
