How To Clean A Patio With A Pressure Washer

In one case y'all know how to clean a patio, you'll realise just how elementary it is. In fact, information technology's one of the easiest ways to give your garden an invigorating elevator and make information technology feel more than welcoming.

Patios are a fabulous add-on to a plot. They need much less maintenance than lawns, they final for years, and they provide a practical surface for what is frequently the epicentre of a garden. What's more, they can be decked out with tons of gorgeous lighting, seating and accessories – take a look at our patio ideas for inspiration. And, they can be a feature in themselves, equally our modernistic paving ideas show.

To keep them in tip-pinnacle status, all they need is a thorough make clean a couple of times a year. The best manner to do then depends on how muddy is it. For just a bit of grime, cleaning with soapy water or white vinegar can be all information technology takes to get your patio looking shipshape, and we've got the tips on how to do so below.

But if your patio's gotten so grubby that you can't remember what colour it used to exist, don't worry – just follow our advice for using the all-time patio cleaner or even a pressure washer. Simply make sure that, whichever cleaning method you choose, you clear any furniture or pots out of the style earlier yous start so you've got an empty surface to piece of work with.

How to clean a patio with soapy h2o

how to clean a patio: outdoor sofa on patio — *Four piece Kensington modular sofa ready with lounge armchair from* *Bridgman*

If your patio is relatively new or is cleaned regularly, then soapy water should be enough to go information technology make clean.
Mix warm water with a tablespoon of washing-upwardly liquid in a saucepan.
Pour it onto the patio and apply a stiff castor or broom to requite it a scrub before rinsing with clean h2o.

Good ol' soapy water is a wonderful and affordable cleaning solution for lots of things in the garden. All you need to add together is a scrap of elbow grease to tackle the clay.

Information technology's skillful for cleaning garden tables and chairs too – caput over to our guide on how to clean outdoor furniture.

How to clean a patio with white vinegar

how to clean a patio: modern courtyard with small tree — *A pristine patio makes this contemporary garden shine*

Although vinegar is eco-friendly, behave in mind that it'southward acidic, and then make sure you motility any furniture or pots before you start, to prevent staining.
Make upward a 50:50 solution of water and white vinegar, and then apply it to the paving. A watering can with a rose head attached will mean you become an even coverage.
Leave the solution to soak in for around xx minutes, and then use a stiff brush to remove stains.
Once yous're washed, rinse off with make clean water.

This budget-friendly method is perfect for tackling gear up-in stains, without the need for a pressure washer. On the scout for more budget garden ideas to elevate your plot? Head over to our guide.

How to clean a patio with a pressure washer

how to clean a patio: stihl pressure washer — *Pressure washers are a great tool for cleaning patios*

Earlier y'all offset, make certain you're protected. Fifty-fifty if you're using the all-time pressure level washer it tin can be a messy business organisation, so pop on some old clothes and goggles to protect your eyes from flying debris.
Connect your hose and ensure that water is running freely and flowing through the machine before yous begin, to remove any air locks, says the team at Homebase. They advise that the hose should be a minimum of 7.5m in length and ½ inch thick. And to ensure an uninterrupted flow, make certain your hose reel (if using one) is fully unwound and free of kinks.
If you have one, attach your patio-cleaning head to your pressure washer. This looks like a big circle and makes quick work of cleaning a big area, and then apply it when you make clean your drive, too.
If you don't have a patio-cleaning head, start on a depression-pressure setting and concentrate on cleaning the surface of each slab individually.
Then, working apace, use the jet to spray along the grout. Don't use likewise much pressure or concentrate on one area for too long as this might impairment it.

'One of the about common uses for a pressure washer is to clean the patio,' says Paul Hicks, Product and Marketing Manager at STIHL. 'It can definitely transform an expanse by removing any ingrained dirt.'

But before you get cracking, he offers some extra advice: 'Spraying on a cleaning detergent such as stone and facade cleaner before pressure washing can help remove tougher green growth and crud'. This will assistance return the stones to their original colour and give an extra smoothen to your patio, he says.

However, every bit with all pressure washer jobs, Paul advises that intendance must be taken when operating. This is particularly the case if your patio or drive uses sand between the stones, as a pressure level washer could potentially smash the sand away. 'In this case, make sure you supplant the sand as soon as you mayhap can to ensure the construction of the patio isn't impacted,' he says.

How to utilise a defended patio cleaner

modern paving ideas: grey pattern Tile Mountain

If your patio is actually muddy, you might need to use a dedicated patio cleaning liquid. These formulas can oft be used on decking, sheds and fences, likewise, so are perfect for giving the whole garden a clean.

Nigh patio cleaners need to exist diluted with h2o. Some come in a bottle that attaches straight to your garden hose and and then sprays out in the correct concentration. Alternatively, mix the solution in a watering can, attach a rose head and apply to the area.

Near patio cleaners demand to be left on the surface, not rinsed off, and piece of work their magic over a grade of 2-3 days.

Ever check earlier you purchase to make sure your chosen patio cleaner is safety to use if y'all accept immature children or pets. For more advice for keeping them safe, check out our guides on how to pattern a child friendly garden, and also our communication on the about poisonous plants for dogs.

When should you clean a patio?

Spring is the perfect time to clean your patio, to go rid of all the dirt and grime that'south accumulated over winter. Plus, with the warmer weather, it can be a rather enjoyable way to spend a Lord's day afternoon.

And once your patio is looking spick and span, why not turn your mitt to some of our spring garden ideas to give your plot an actress boost? You lot might fifty-fifty feel tempted to adorn your newly make clean terrace, courtyard or seating area with some colourful garden furniture ideas, too.

Information technology's also a good idea to give your patio a deep make clean in autumn, before wintertime atmospheric condition arrives. A top tip to comport in mind whilst doing then is to bank check the status of the grout. If you lot can see cracks, chisel out and replace information technology before the frost sets in and makes the cracks any worse.

Laura has been writing about homes and gardens for fourteen years. She started out equally a paper reporter, then was editor of a regional magazine, and editorial manager for a travel company (who doesn't love a free vacation?). She started atExistent Homes magazine in 2022 as Deputy Editor and then go Editor earlier taking on her electric current position, which focuses on video and events (you may have seen her presenting Real Homes Tv set). She loves spending time in the garden with her toddler and has a baroque passion for moving lawns!