How To Clean Garden Patio Slabs?

A garden patio is a wonderful thing, isn’t it? You can have barbecues on it; enjoy sitting with a drink on the long summer evenings, and place potted plants around the place to make it look Mediterranean and beautiful.

But, what do you do when it inevitably gets covered in grime? How do you make it look shiny and lovely again? If you are wondering how to clean garden patio slabs, you’ve come to the right place!

How To Clean Garden Patio Slabs?

How To Clean Garden Patio Slabs

Cleaning your patio might seem a daunting task, but there are a good few hints and tips that will make it easier.

  1. Start by weeding in the cracks. Weeds grow pretty much everywhere, even where there is very little soil, and these will need to be removed before you start your cleaning.
  2. Fill a bowl with warm, soapy water, take a scrubbing brush or broom, and get stuck in!
  3. You can also use a pressure washer to clean your patio slabs, but take care near the jointing as excessive pressure can damage the slabs.
  4. There are a great many dedicated products that you can use to clean your slabs; just ask in your local hardware store for suggestions.
  5. Sealing the patio slabs after you’ve cleaned them is a good idea; this will prevent weather damage and make maintenance easier.

This little article will tell you how you can make your patio beautiful and ready for a gathering in just a few hours.

How Do You Clean Patio Slabs Without A Pressure Washer?

Although a pressure washer is a great and convenient way to wash your patio slabs, you don’t have to rush out and spend lots of money on buying one!

Washing your patio slabs without a pressure washer, although it may take a little longer and expend a little more effort, is just as effective and even more rewarding.

  • Use hot, soapy water and a scrubbing brush. Hot soapy water is a time honoured way of cleaning things, and getting your scrubbing brush in on the action will really help.
  • Try baking soda. This is another simple method, and one that really works! Mix baking soda and water into a thick paste, spread onto the slabs, then scrub well and rinse.
  • Make a vinegar cleaner. White vinegar is an excellent cleaner, and it is super easy to use it to clean your patio slabs.
  • Buy specialised patio cleaners. If you don’t mind going down the chemical route, there are a lot of patio cleaners out there that you can buy to make the job easier.

Does White Vinegar Clean Patio Slabs?

Amazingly, this common household cooking ingredient also makes a pretty powerful cleaner – and it’s a totally natural, non-chemical way of doing this!

It can even clean stubborn stains and grime off patio slabs, and it’s a really good way of cleaning things.

  1. Clear the area, sweep well and remove any weeds, then make up a solution of 50/50 vinegar and water.
  2. Pour the solution onto your patio and leave it to sit for 30 minutes – 1 hour.
  3. Scrub the patio with a stiff bristled brush or broom, then rinse well with clean water.
  4. Replace pots and patio furniture, and admire your sparkling clean patio slabs!

How Do You Make A Homemade Patio Cleaner?

If you want to clean your patio but you want to avoid chemicals and expensive shop-bought cleaners, there are lots of options for you.

Baking soda

This slightly abrasive substance is excellent for cleaning most things you care to throw at it!

Make a solution of baking soda and water, using just enough water to make a thick paste, then spread it all over your patio slabs.

Leave it to sit for at least half an hour, then scrub it well with a stiff brush. Rinse off the mixture well with clean water.

There may be a couple of spots you will have to redo, so all you need to do is make up a little more mixture and repeat the process.

Vinegar

The acetic acid in vinegar makes a great cleaner, whether diluted with water or as it is.

Combine vinegar and water in a ratio of 50/50, and spread it liberally all over the patio.

If you have areas which are covered with more stubborn stains, you can use the vinegar neat without diluting.

You will still need to scrub using this method, but the vinegar will do most of the hard work for you!

Hydrogen peroxide

Although this cleaner is a little less natural than the other two, it breaks down into harmless oxygen and water, so it’s great for those wanting to avoid harsh chemicals.

Place the hydrogen peroxide into a spray bottle, then spray it liberally all over your patio – paying particular attention to heavily stained areas.

You can even combine your vinegar and hydrogen peroxide treatments – you will find this makes for an even more effective cleaner.

Does Bleach Clean Patio Slabs?

Bleach is one of the most powerful cleaners there is, so it makes sense that it will help to clean your patio slabs.

If you’re planning to use bleach to clean a large patio area, you should definitely wear gloves, and consider using goggles and a breathing mask too.

You will still need to scrub, but the bleach will help to lift the stains more quickly than soap and scrubbing alone.

You should make sure you rinse off the bleach very well, and try to avoid splashing it into any nearby plants or wildlife.

Try to apply the bleach evenly, otherwise you will be left with strange discoloured patches where the bleach is stronger in places than others!

Here’s a useful video to guide you if you decide to go down the bleach cleaning route:

Final Words

Now that you have some ideas on how to clean garden patio slabs, you can get on with the quick business of making yours look lovely again.

Enjoy your patio now that it is fresh and clean – and comfort yourself that you won’t have to clean it too often!

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