Your patio needs a thorough cleaning about once a year. Here are some ways to get it in tip-top shape before you invite family and friends over for a barbecue.
Clean Off the Patio
Remove outdoor furniture, your grill, your kids’ toys and other objects. Put them in a location far enough away to protect them from water and cleaning products.
Use a broom or leaf blower to get rid of any dirt, dust, leaves and other debris. Next, hose off the patio and look for any stains that will require further attention and any areas that are damaged and in need of professional repairs.
Use the Right Cleaning Tools
If your patio has lots of stains, you can clean it with a pressure washer. Only use a cleaning solution that’s designed to be used with a power washer. If you use a commercial cleaning product, read the manufacturer’s instructions and follow them carefully.
Before you use a pressure washer or any cleaning product on your entire patio, test it in an inconspicuous area to make sure that it doesn’t cause damage. Protect nearby grass and plants with a tarp.
If you need to scrub the patio’s surface to get rid of stains, use a brush with nylon bristles. A wire brush can damage concrete.
Remove Stains
Mix warm water with a few drops of dish soap, spread it over the patio, give the dish soap time to loosen grease, then mop the patio and rinse it with a hose. Repeat if necessary.
A mixture of vinegar and baking soda can remove rust and charcoal stains from concrete. Scrub it using a brush with nylon bristles, let it sit for about half an hour, then rinse. If that doesn’t work, you can try using undiluted vinegar. Wear gloves, a mask and eye protection. Don’t use vinegar and baking soda in a pressure washer.
To get rid of mildew, mix chlorine bleach and water, apply it to the surface using a spray bottle or mop, give it time to work, scrub the surface with a brush, then rinse. If your patio has one or more tough stains, you might have to use a pressure washer.
Oxygen bleach and water can remove stains without damaging vegetation. Spread the mixture on the patio and let it sit for up to 30 minutes, then rinse the patio with a hose.
Grease stains can be tough to get rid of, especially if they’ve been there for a while. Sprinkle a thick layer of cat litter or cornstarch on the stained area, let it sit for one to three days, sweep up the cat litter or cornstarch, then use a degreasing product to clean the patio.
