How To Clean A Patio Without A Pressure Washer?

Many of us use pressure washers to clean patio slabs, however these machines can really damage your patio, doing more harm than good! It’s important to us at Wet & Forget to clean without the use of harsh or abrasive techniques. Using a pressure washer to clean your patio is a waste of time and money, and you’ll learn why here. Cleaning your patio, patio slabs, and block paving will also be shown to you in a non-harmful manner.

What to use for Cleaning a Concrete Patio Floor

Depending on how badly discolored or filthy your patio is, you’ll want to employ a different cleaning approach. Most people clean hardscapes with a moderate soap or vinegar solution, a garden hose, and a stiff broom.

A pressure washer equipment is required to quickly and easily clean a very filthy or stained patio. However, in order to avoid damage to your surfaces, the machine needs to be used with some finesse.

Mold and algae thrive in humid locations, and a common household cleaner like vinegar, baking soda, or bleach can be used to remove the fungus from patios. To avoid the growth of mold, algae, or moss, concrete patios should be maintained dry.

You should be aware that bleach and vinegar, two common household chemicals, have the potential to destroy plants and weeds when they are used to clean your outside areas. As well as harming oneself, bleach can also harm other living species.

Why not use a Pressure Washer on your Patios

Pressure washing is the most common method for cleaning hardscapes and roads of stubborn dirt and oil stains. A power washer is a popular and fast method of washing paving stones, bricks, and concrete, but it can cause serious damage.

When the person operating the pressure washer lacks the knowledge and experience to execute the job appropriately, the equipment poses a danger. Most individuals who buy or hire a pressure washer assume that turning it on, aiming it, and pulling the trigger are all that it takes to do the job.

Damage to hardscapes can be considerable and obvious if a power washer is used incorrectly. In some cases, there will be pitting lines or other surface damage. To add insult to injury, high-velocity water may also wash away brick joints and their mortar, which can lead to deterioration of brick joints.

Using a pressure washer to remove paint from houses, demolish wood decks, ruin automobile paint jobs, pull off siding and shingles, or even seriously injure the operator is nothing short of a nightmare.

When using a pressure washer, the first step is to select the correct nozzle, adjust the pressure level to the recommended level, and avoid directing the jet at one location for too long.

If you don’t know how to use a pressure washer, don’t use it at all. Despite the fact that broken concrete can be restored, sand can be supplied, and bricks can be rebuilt, it is an expensive and time-consuming process that will alter the appearance of your surfaces.

Why You Shouldn’t Use a Pressure Washer on Your Patio

Pressure washing our patios, as many of us believe, is the finest way to remove dirt and grime. You’re actually doing more harm than good by taking the easiest route. Damage can be done to the concrete slabs by pressure washing your patio.

The joint sand in between each pavement slab can be damaged, which can lead to surface erosion, markings, pitting, and degradation. Using more pressure than is necessary to clean can cause this kind of harm. However, brute force isn’t necessary for a thorough patio cleaning; instead, use this less aggressive method instead.

Simple Steps to Clean Your Patio Easily

So, without a pressure washer, how can you easily and properly clean your patio? After finding a dry day, take these simple procedures to thoroughly clean your patio without causing any damage to the materials used.

Cleaning patio with Vinegar

It is quite safe to clean your surfaces using vinegar, which is a natural cleaner. Apply the solution, which is made up of equal parts white vinegar and water, to the spots. Use a firm bristle broom to scrub the worst areas of the patio.

In order to remove stubborn stains, spritz them with undiluted vinegar and let them sit for 10 minutes before scrubbing them away. Use a garden hose to remove the cleaner and dirt.

De-Weed

UK gardens are infested with weeds, which are among the most prevalent pests. When you’ve finally gotten rid of all the weeds in your garden, only to have a few drops of rain bring out a new crop, it might feel like a never-ending battle. However, before you begin cleaning your patio, be sure to remove all of the weeds. Cleaning a weed-infested patio might reduce its effectiveness and increase the frequency with which it needs to be cleaned.

Getting rid of garden pests like weeds is simple when you know how. Use a garden sprayer if you decide to use a weed killer to safeguard your other plants from being harmed.

Cleaning Concrete Patio with Bleach

When dealing with stubborn stains or sticky filth, bleach should be your final resort. Avoid using around children and pets for their own safety first. Protect yourself against bleach fumes by using gloves and a gas mask. A spray bottle is ideal for dispersing the bleach-water mixture.

Allow 10 minutes for the bleach solution to rest on the stained area. Don’t overspray so much that it spills over onto nearby plants and flowers. To remove stains, use a deck brush to scrub and a garden hose to rinse the solution.

Mold on patio stones and pavers can be removed with the help of bleach. Many weeds and certain plants can be killed by the solution. To avoid harming desired plants, use with caution.

After cleaning your brick or concrete patio, let it dry before you return furniture and other objects. Dampness attracts the growth of mold and sea weeds such as green algae and moss on patio stones. If there is no direct sunlight on the surface, find a way of driving away any moisture left behind.

Sweep Away Debris

Before resuming use of your patio, wait for the brick or concrete to dry out completely. Mold and seaweeds, such as green algae and moss, thrive in damp conditions. If there is no direct sunshine on the surface, find a technique to remove any remaining moisture.

Wind and rain can blow debris, leaves, and dust onto your patio. As soon as you begin to clean your patio, you’ll only be shifting the dirt from one end to the other. Make sure to sweep your patio before you clean it, as dry debris is much easier to remove than wet debris.

Apply Wet & Forget

As a lover of our products, you’ll know that Wet & Forget may be used for a wide range of tasks, from eliminating green algae from a garden fence to cleaning your driveway. Wet & Forget Outdoor products can also be used to clean slabs. Every single one of our products is safe to use on your patio because they don’t include any dangerous or harsh chemicals.

Getting Rid of Loose Debris

Sweep or hose out loose dirt and debris from your concrete patio to solve the problem. If you don’t already, it’s a good idea to sweep your concrete patio on a regular basis.

Most dirt and debris can be swept off the patio if it is free and hasn’t embedded itself in the concrete. You can use a hose to remove part of the accumulated dirt, even if it has already begun to settle, as long as it hasn’t been there for too long.

Then there’s the problem of filth and grime accumulating on your patio. Many cleaning products are available that may be used to remove some of the old dirt and grime without putting it at risk with the use of a power washer when this occurs.

Using commercial cleaners is a good option when there is a buildup of filth or fungus. Avoid using these products if you don’t want the patio to look bad or harm nearby plants, or if you’re concerned about breathing in the chemicals.

The good news is that there are alternatives to utilizing household cleaners that are far safer for everyone involved and healthier for the environment, as well.

Using Vinegar

Vinegar is a natural cleaning that is safe to use not only on your patio, but in your entire home. White vinegar mixed with equal parts water can be used to remove stains from a variety of surfaces.

A strong bristle broom or a scrub brush designed for flooring, decks and patio areas like this one on amazon can be used to clean a concrete patio’s more heavily-soiled regions. To remove stubborn stains, spritz the stained area with undiluted vinegar and let it stay for about 10 minutes.

Scrub it again after the vinegar has had time to dry. This should be able to get rid of even the toughest stains.

When the scrubbing is done, you can simply use your hose to wash away both the cleaner and any loose particles.

Using Baking Soda

Baking soda may also be used to clean your concrete patio in a natural and environmentally safe manner. Mix a half cup of baking soda or so into around a gallon of water to create a natural cleaning solution if you have a dirty hardscape.

To make it even more potent, you can add roughly an eighth of a cup of liquid dish soap.

Let it set for around 20 minutes before sprinkling it on the stains or the entire patio surface if you want a complete clean-up. It’s a good time for the baking soda (and detergent) to get to work.

Finally, scrub the patio thoroughly. With time, you’ll begin to notice the accumulated dirt and filth.

Rinse your freshly cleaned concrete patio with a garden hose once you’ve finished cleaning it.

Using Bleach

Using bleach to remove severe stains or stubborn filth from your concrete patio should only be done as a last option. Bleach is an extremely toxic and harmful chemical and should be kept away from pets and children for their protection.

You should also take precautions to keep yourself safe. Protect your hands with gloves and wear a mask to avoid breathing in bleach fumes.

To avoid a concentration of bleach in a certain region, mix equal amounts of bleach and water together and then use a spray bottle to distribute the solution.

Spray the bleach solution onto the stained area and let it sit for around 10 minutes or so.

Spray sparingly, as too much can run off the patio and end up on the grass or nearby flowers. Avoid doing this as it is extremely harmful to those organisms.

To remove the stains, use a deck brush or anything harder like that. You shouldn’t have any problems removing the stains with the bleach solution’s strength. Make sure to thoroughly rinse the area with your garden hose once you’ve removed the stains from the surface.

Another useful application for bleach is the removal of mold from patio stones or pavers. Most types of weeds and even some undesired plants can be killed with your method. Keep in mind that bleach can kill plants that you truly wish to keep.

If you’re going to use bleach, be sure to let the concrete patio dry completely before bringing any furniture or other items back in. Seaweeds like green algae and moss thrive in damp conditions, particularly on patio stones. See also my advice on removing moss from your patio.

Get rid of the moisture on the patio if it doesn’t have direct sunshine because it can lead to undesired growth and more cleaning or other effort.

Ammonia can also be used to clean patio concrete. Please remember not to combine bleach and ammonia under any circumstances. In a confined place, the vapors it produces can be lethal if inhaled.

Using Muriatic Acid

When it comes to removing stubborn stains from concrete patios, muriatic acid is an excellent choice. If you’re dealing with rust or dried grout, this is a great solution.

Like bleach, it is a highly hazardous chemical, therefore you should use it with utmost caution. When using this product, always use gloves and safety glasses, and always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.

However, if applied properly and responsibly, you can get a powerful cleaning solution for your concrete patio’s severe stains.

Using Trisodium Phosphate (TSP)

To make a powerful cleaning solution, combine TSP with water. As soon as you’ve made your solution, use anything like a nylon brush or strong bristle brush to massage the stain out of the area you’re trying to remove.

Continue scrubbing until the stain is completely eliminated. After that, all that’s left is to use a hose to rinse away the cleaning solution and any loose particles. Best of all, TSP is readily available at most home improvement stores.

It doesn’t have to be so difficult to clean your concrete patio. You may either buy or make a cleaning solution that keeps your concrete patio looking neat and tidy with the correct equipment and components.

When your patio is spotless, it’s a great place to spend time alone or with loved ones. You’ll never have to worry about ruining the atmosphere again if all you need is a fast scrub.

How to Use Wet & Forget to Clean Your Patio

• To use the original Wet & Forget, add 5 parts water to one part Wet & Forget. Wet & Forget will be wiped away if you clean your patio on a rainy day. Use a garden sprayer or one of our Thrust One Sprayers to apply Wet & Forget on your patio.
• Our Wet & Forget Rapid With Sniper Nozzle is another option if you have a larger patio. To clean big patios quickly and easily, use Wet & Forget Rapid. Application is a breeze thanks to the rapid clicks on your hosepipe and the automatic mixing with water.
• Let Wet & Forget take care of the filth, algae, and lichen while you relax.

Looking After Your Patio Year-Round

Taking care of your patio year-round is essential for its long-term health. Keep an eye out for cracks and winter damage after a particularly harsh weather event, even if you can’t keep your patio clear of snow and ice all year long. Weeds and further damage can occur if water seeps into gaps in cracked concrete and is left to its own devices. To prevent future damage and preserve your patio in excellent shape, patch these cracks as soon as possible.

It’s A Wrap!

The pressure washer is out of the question now that you know how to clean a patio! Now that you’ve learned how to remove stains and grease from a patio, you’ll be ready for the next time. Keeping these methods in mind will help you clean the region at a low cost and in an environmentally responsible manner. Please pass this information along to your neighbors if they’re experiencing the same issue. You may also be interested in learning how to use a pressure washer to clean a wood fence or a metal roof.