Patios look ‘clean’ and ‘inviting’ with expert’s six instructions

Keeping a clean and welcoming patio or driveway not only boosts your home’s kerb appeal but also offers a delightful outdoor space for relaxation or entertaining guests. However, these surfaces can gather dirt, grime, moss, and weeds over time, causing them to lose their aesthetic charm and potentially suffer damage.

With spring in full swing and millions of Brits venturing back outdoors, property specialist Gregory Smith from PriceYourJob.co.uk has revealed some tricks to make your patio look ‘brand new’ again. He covers everything you need to know about the various cleaning methods, from utilising a pressure washer to more natural solutions like white vinegar and baking soda.

You’ll also discover how to tackle common problems such as moss and weed removal. Gregory Smith has been in the property and construction industry for over two decades.

He continues to work on domestic building projects while also offering expert commentary in the property and construction field for PriceYourJob. Here is his guide, filled with useful, practical tips and techniques to restore your patio or driveway to its former splendour, reports Devon Live.

Clean with a pressure washer

Follow the steps below to spruce up your patio or driveway with a pressure washer:

1. Remove the debris. You should begin by removing all of the debris from the space. Use a stiff brush to remove loose dirt, leaves, or twigs from the patio or driveway area.
2. Connect the pressure washer. Next, you’ll need to connect the pressure washer to your home’s water supply. A pressure washer will use a lot of water at a very high force, so you will need a constant supply of water to get the job done properly.
   
   
3. Add some detergent. If you are using detergent with the pressure washer, add this now. Most pressure washers will allow you to add detergent, which sprays out with the water. If your pressure washer doesn’t have this option, you can spray a detergent directly onto the patio and leave it to stand for around ten minutes before proceeding.
4. Choose medium pressure. Change the settings on your pressure washer to medium. This is the optimum setting for cleaning your patio or driveway, as it’s enough pressure to remove all of the dirt but not too much pressure that it might cause damage.
5. Wash the driveway or patio. Sweep the patio area with your pressure washer from front to back and from left to right, covering every inch of the space. Make sure the pressure washer is set to the wide fan setting and keep the spraying angle at 45 degrees to achieve the most effective cleaning.
6. Allow drying time. Finally, you’ll need to give your driveway or patio time to dry. Once dried completely, you will then be able to see just how much difference your power wash has made.

Clean with a soapy water solution

Here is a guide on how to clean your patio slabs without a pressure washer:

1. Remove weeds. Start by examining the driveway or patio and removing any weeds that you see poking through cracks and gaps. The way to do this will depend on how severe the problem is. If you can pull up the weeds by hand, this is the best option.

   Remove as much of the root as possible to minimise any chances of it coming back. If the weed problem is quite extreme, you should use a weed killer. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using weed killers and keep pets and children away from the area.

2. Make the soap mix. No special products are required to create the soapy cleaning solution. Use a mild soap with warm water. Just make sure you check the soap you use, as some soaps could damage the pavers. Mix the soapy solution together until you start to see foam form on top.
3. Pour the mixture. Next, pour some of the mixture onto the surface of the driveway or patio. If you’re cleaning a large area, you may need to do it in stages.

   Before starting the cleaning, test the mixture on a small, inconspicuous area to ensure it doesn’t damage the patio. Then, put on protective gloves to protect your hands and begin scrubbing the area.

   Scrub the entire surface of the paving until the entire area has been scrubbed. Once you’ve finished scrubbing, rinse away the remaining soapy residue with clean water. You can do this with buckets of water or a hose. Direct the water towards a drainage point.

4. Brush the space. After the scrubbing stage, you’ll need to brush the area. Get a hard-bristled brush and start brushing the patio from one side to the other. It’s best to use a brush with a long handle to avoid damaging your back in the process.

   When brushing, you’ll notice the bristles easily loosen dirt. Keep brushing your patio until all the dirt is loose. You may have to brush harder on stubborn areas. Brush your patio regularly to keep dirt and weeds away.

5. Rinse the patio. After you’ve gone over the entire driveway or patio with the brush and loosened all the stubborn dirt, you’ll then have to rinse the patio to reveal the final look. You can do this with a hose or buckets of water.
6. Allow drying time . After you’ve rinsed the area, leave your patio to dry completely before seeing the final results.

Clean with white vinegar

White vinegar can be a miracle worker when it comes to cleaning your driveway or patio. Here’s a guide on how to use it:

1. Create your mixture. Grab a bucket and mix together a solution of one part water and one part white vinegar. If your patio is particularly dirty or features some stubborn stains, you may need to use a solution with slightly more vinegar than water.
2. Pour the solution. Pour the water and vinegar solution over the entire patio or driveway. You may need to use several buckets to cover the entire surface. Leave the vinegar and water solution to do its thing for 30 minutes or more.
3. Clear the solution away. Use buckets of clean water to rinse the vinegar solution from the surface of your driveway. Simply pour the buckets of clean water over your driveway, making sure to direct it to a drainage point.
   
   
4. Allow drying time. Finally, leave your driveway or patio to dry naturally.

Consider using block paving cleaner

Block paving cleaners are available for purchase and are specifically designed to tackle this task. It’s crucial to ensure your block paving is free from debris, weeds, and moss before using such a cleaner. Each block paving cleaner will require a different method of application. Always follow the instructions provided on the cleaner you choose.

Consider hiring a professional cleaning service

For optimal results when cleaning your driveway or patio, consider hiring professionals to do the job. They’ll have all the necessary tools and products to make your driveway or patio look brand new.

The cost of cleaning driveways and block paving can vary, largely depending on the size of your driveway. However, it’s an investment that can significantly enhance your home’s kerb appeal.

How to eliminate moss

There are several effective methods for removing moss from a patio or driveway. Check out the list below for some of the best ways to eradicate moss.

Baking soda is particularly effective against moss. This method works best on dry days. Simply sprinkle the baking soda over the mossy area and let it work its magic overnight. Then, sweep everything away the next day.

Pressure washers are a fantastic tool for moss removal. By directing high-pressure water at the affected areas, you can effectively blast away the moss and clean your paving.

A simple method involves pouring boiling water over the moss-covered area, ensuring every part is covered. Following this, use a stiff brush to scrub the area. Once the moss has loosened, a hose can be used to wash away the debris.

For any persistent moss stains on your paving, a water and vinegar solution could be the answer. Create a 50/50 mix of water and white vinegar, and put it in a spray bottle for easy application. Spray the mixture over the affected area and let it sit. Afterward, scrub the area with a stiff brush before hosing it down.

How to get rid of weeds

When it comes to weed removal, if there are only a few, they can often be removed by hand. The key thing to remember when pulling up weeds manually is to ensure the root is fully extracted.

Carefully pull at the base of the weed to make sure it’s completely removed. Always wear gloves when handling nettles. If you find it difficult to extract the roots by hand, it might be worth investing in a weed-pulling tool.

Lemons can be a potent weapon against weeds. Simply slice a lemon in half and squeeze the juice directly onto the weed. The citric acid within the lemon juice should eradicate the weed within a few days. This method is particularly effective when the sun is shining brightly on the weeds.

Lemon juice can be used undiluted. Alternatively, powdered citric acid can be mixed with water in a spray bottle and applied to the weeds. Salt can also be an effective weed killer. Generously sprinkle salt directly onto the weed and leave it be.

The salt should eliminate the weed within a few days. It’s also a great deterrent for insects and slugs. However, caution is advised not to sprinkle the salt on any surrounding plants or your lawn, as it could kill off some plants or grass.

While many weed killers can be toxic or dangerous, there are now numerous eco-friendly alternatives available. These weed killers typically come in convenient spray bottles.

Simply spray the solution directly onto the weed and let it work its magic. Eco-friendly weed killers will usually dispatch the weeds within a few days. For sun-drenched weeds, the vodka technique is most effective. Combine two parts water with one part vodka and a few drops of dish soap in a spray bottle.

Spray the solution directly on the weed, taking care not to hit nearby grass or plants, as it will dry them out.

Boiling water is another potent method for eliminating weeds. However, exercise caution to avoid scalding surrounding grass or plants. Boil water, then pour it directly on the weed, causing it to wither away.

Final thoughts

Gregory says: ” Restoring your patio or driveway to its pristine condition is achievable with the right techniques and tools. Whether it’s a pressure washer clean, a soapy water solution, or a more natural solution, this guide should have provided you with everything you need to know to find a cleaning solution to suit your needs.

“Remember to tackle common issues like moss and weeds with targeted solutions, ensuring thorough removal to prevent future regrowth. For those seeking a professional result with minimal effort, hiring a professional cleaning company is a worthwhile investment.

“By implementing the above strategies, you can maintain a clean, attractive outdoor space that enhances your home’s kerb appeal and provides a welcoming environment for relaxation and enjoyment. Regular maintenance and quick issue fixes will help to prolong the life of your patio or driveway, keeping it looking its best for many years to come.”