Over time garden patios can start to look a little worse for wear with debris, leaf stains and weeds building on and around the slabs. But don’t worry, getting your patio pristine again is surprisingly easy, and when it comes to cleaning patio slabs there are a range of ways to do it!
Cleaning patio slabs is essential for the overall maintenance of your patio area, and to keep the aesthetics of your garden in great place. Whether you’re looking for DIY patio cleaning solutions or need the help of professional patio cleaners – we’re here to tell you exactly how to clean your patio, with easy step-by-step guides for every method of patio cleaning.
So, if you’re looking for answers on cleaning patio slabs, you’re in the right place! Want to find out more? Read our patio cleaning tips below, or give us a call to discuss professional patio cleaning for your home.
How to Clean a Patio Without a Pressure Washer
If you don’t have access to all of the tools requires, and are wondering if you can clean a patio without a pressure washer – the answer is yes! But, it does take a little more elbow grease when cleaning patio slabs by hand.
Here’s how to clean a patio without a pressure washer, and what you’ll need to get the job done:
- A bucket or large container to hold water
- Weeding tools or weed killer
- Patio cleaning detergent or soap (liquid or powdered)
- Warm water
- A hard-thistled brush
- Clear Your Patio
First, you’ll need to make sure your patio is clear – remove any garden furniture, plants, lights, decorations – or anything that would be considered an obstacle when cleaning patio slabs. You’ll also want to remove any weeds and unwanted growth from between your patio slabs (we recommend using a weeding tool or applying weed killer to make this step quicker and easier).
- Mix Your Patio Cleaning Solution
Now that your patio is clear, you’re ready to get started! It’s time to use a patio cleaning solution – you can make your own using household cleaners (washing up liquid and warm water can work well cleaning patio slabs DIY), or you can purchase a store bought patio cleaner. When making your homemade patio cleaner, simply mix the soap and water until there is a layer of foam and bubbles at the top.
TOP TIP: White vinegar is great for cleaning patio slabs – but be careful not to apply it to limestone patio slabs as it can erode the surface. Remember to always check the ingredients of the patio cleaning solution and soaps you are using and be sure that they’re suitable for your paving stones. As a rule acidic cleaners should not be applied to concrete slab patios.
- Pour the Patio Cleaning Solution on the Slabs
Before you do this it’s always worth testing the solution on a small part of the patio – people typically do this on covered areas like the bin spot.
Pour an even layer of your patio cleaner across your paving slabs, being sure to cover the surface area. Remember to be careful of your greenery and avoid getting it on your plants and grass.
- Brush the Patio and Rinse with Clean Water
Start scrubbing the patio using the hard thistle brush, and don’t be shy about giving it some oomph! This part of manually cleaning patio slabs takes a lot of hard work but the results will be worth it. The debris on top of the patio should loosen up and be easy to rinse away. Depending on the condition of your patio slabs, you may need to repeat steps 3 and 4 to make sure all of the dirt and discolouration is gone.
After your final rinse, leave your patio slabs to dry for a few hours – then enjoy your freshly cleaned outdoor area!
How to Clean a Patio with a Pressure Washer
While cleaning patio slabs is very doable using household items, cleaning patio slabs with a pressure washer will make the job even easier! Here’s what you’ll need to get the job done and take a great deal of effort out of your patio cleaning process.
- A pressure washer and access to a water supply
- Weeding tools or weed killer
- Patio cleaning detergent or soap (liquid or powdered)
- Clear Your Patio
Just like the previous patio cleaning guide, you’ll want to make sure your patio is clear from any obstacles that will get in the way or are at risk of damage from the pressure washer. This includes garden furniture, plants and pots, ornaments, candles, lights and any other object that needs moving.
Once you have cleared your personal items, make sure to remove any debris that isn’t stuck (like leaves and twigs).
- Setting up Your Pressure Washer
Now that the patio is clear for cleaning, it’s time to set up your pressure washer! You’ll want easy access to a steady supply of water, and to checker whether your pressure washer has a detergent chamber.
- If your pressure washer does has a detergent chamber, add your patio cleaning solution before you start cleaning patio slabs.
- If your pressure washer does not have a detergent chamber you will need to apply your patio cleaning solution direct to your paving slabs – evenly cover the surface area with your patio soap.
- Sweep the Patio Using the Pressure Washer
Usually, it is ideal to pressure wash your patio on a medium setting. When spraying, do it from a 45-degree angle from the hip for the most direct effect. Once done, you can survey the immediate results and if it looks good, give the patio some time to dry and check up on the final result.
How to Clean a Patio Using Bleach
Bleach is a very powerful detergent when used correctly, Cleaning patio slabs with bleach can be great for a really appealing finish at the end of the process. Done with care, cleaning a patio with bleach should not be a problem, but it can be harmful to you and your garden plants if used incorrectly.
When cleaning a patio with bleach please take care to protect your skin from the bleach and to not apply it to concrete slabs, as the bleach will erode them.
What you’ll need to properly clean your patio with bleach:
- Bleach (of course!)
- Access to a clean, steady supply of water
- A patio cleaning brush
- Patio cleaning solution or soap
- Clear the Patio
As will all patio cleaning jobs, you’ll need to clear your patio of all furniture, decor, and loose debris! This particularly important when cleaning patio slabs with bleach, as you don’t want the bleach to ruin any of your garden accessories!
- Wet the Patio with Clean Water
First thing you’ll need to do once the area is clear, is wet your patio with clean water – this will help to shift loose dirt and prepare your space for the patio cleaning solution and brushing.
- Mix the Bleach with Water
To clean your patio with bleach, you will need to dilute the bleach with clean water. It is generally recommended to do a 5/1 ratio of water to bleach.
Once you have made your solution, you need to pour the bleach and water evenly across your patio – being careful to cover every spot and ensure it doesn’t run off into your plants.
- Brush the Patio
Now that your patio paving slabs are covered in a cleaning solution, it’s time to brush your patio. This requires some elbow grease, but the good news is you only need to this once at this stage!
After a good scrub of the area, leave it to rest for 15 minutes.
- Rinse the Patio with Clean Water
15 minutes has passed – time to rinse! Pour clean water over your patio slabs to clear the area of the bleach cleaning solution. At this stage you may want to brush your patio again while rinsing to clear any stubborn areas.
Once you have successfully rinsed all of the bleach away, you’re all finished! Just leave the area to dry and you’re free to put all of your patio furniture and decor back.
Maintaining Your Patio: How Often Should I Clean My Patio?
Now that you know how to clean patio slabs, you may be wondering how often patio cleaning should be done. As a rule, after a clean you can expect your patio to be good-to-go for the next couple of months! Using the right solutions and equipment such as patio sealants can extend this period even longer.
There are some best practices for maintaining your patio across the seasons. It’s good to give your patio regular sweeps to clear leaves which can stain your patio if they remain for too long.
Regularly de-weeding the patio as well as checking and re-filling the joints in between the slabs will go a long way in keeping your patio pristine. Additionally, take care to look after spills in the summer time and be careful of using de-icing salt which can risk discolouration.
Need a Hand? Universal Eco Homes Can Help
The alternative to the DIY route, is professional patio cleaning services! If you’d like to see your garden refreshed, but don’t have the time or tools to do it yourself – give us a call!
We’re trusted experts in cleaning and sealing patios and pride ourselves on quality and customer satisfaction. Don’t just take our word for it, you can see what our customers say in Trust A Trader. If you need patio cleaning services in Colchester, look no further! Give us a call on 0800 047 2404 and we’ll be glad to help you. You can also find out more on our patio cleaning and sealing page.
