How to clean paving – get your patio ready for summer!

“I’ll do that when I have some time.” Ever heard yourself saying that before? Cleaning your patio may be one of those jobs you tend to put on the longer finger. But now you have a bit of extra time in the evenings, why not get your patio cleaned and ready to enjoy on the bright summer evenings? 

Top Tips

If this is the first time you have cleaned your patio after winter, you may be faced with green algae or moss. These can be treated with proprietary sprays that do not require brushing. We recommend Anti-Moss Paving Cleaner which does exactly what it says on the tin. Simply spray it on and walk away.  A particularly damp shady area may require more attention. But – for those that get plenty of light -once a year should be sufficient. 

Weed seeds can also blow onto the surface of paving and start to grow in the joints. If you want to treat the problem, spray glyphosate on a dry day. Avoid residual weed killers that poison the soil, and refrain from scraping out the joints as this will create more opportunities for weeds to grow. 

Equipment

Do not use a high-pressure power washer which can damage the surface and dislodge the joints. Any damaged jointing material should be replaced once the area is dry. 

The best piece of cleaning equipment is an ordinary garden sprayer that can be purchased at a DIY or garden centre. Fill it with a proprietary cleaner and brush the patio as often as you can.  

For areas that haven’t been regularly maintained, a light power hose at medium pressure is generally all that is required to clean dirt and grime. 

Ideally, you should try and stick to the rule of ‘little and often’ when it comes to cleaning your patio. Even though it is outside and gets regularly washed by the rain, natural dirt, debris and grime will land on it and this needs to be cleaned off to avoid build-up. 

For a comprehensive guide on patio upkeep, make sure you check out our Cleaning & Maintenance Guide. It’s time to get that outdoor space sparkling for summer!