How to Clean Your Patio | Earthworks Landscaping

Patios look totally fine with no cleaning what-so-ever. That's part of the beauty of concrete pavers or stone of any kind. You'll see that even at your favourite restaurants they really aren't doing anything but maybe sweeping off the leaves, and those are heavy-use patios!

But, many people love a super well-maintained, more pristine look. And why not! It's easy. Here's how.

For routine cleaning of your patio, your garden hose and a sprayer set on the "jet" setting might be all you need. Chances are that will get the job done and you don't even need the rest of this article. But, if the colours of your patio are looking a bit dull or if you have an accumulation of dirt or stains, you might want to do a more thorough cleaning.

Step 1: Sweep

Remove all patio furniture and planters, and give the patio a good sweeping to remove any surface dirt and debris. If you have a leaf blower, it excels at getting into the corners that can be hard to reach with a broom.

Step 2: Pre-wet the pavers

Soak the entire surface with a hose.

Step 3: Apply cleaning solution (if needed)

You might be able to get by with just water, but there are several levels of solvents appropriate for pavers.

Level 1: 1 Tbsp of dish soap per gallon of water will get rid of most stains.
Level 2: 50% white vinegar and 50% water will handle the more stubborn stains.
Level 3: Commercial concrete cleaning solutions for the worst stains.

Avoid using bleach or highly acidic cleaners.

Apply the solution using a mop or push broom. Let it soak for a minute or two.

Step 4: Scrub the pavers

Use a push broom or a stiff bristle brush to scrub the surface of the pavers. Avoid using scouring pads or wire brushes. Those can damage the surface.

Step 5: Rinse

Use your garden hose to wash off the cleaning solution and dirty water. If you are using vinegar or a commercial solvent, make sure to use enough water to dilute the solution enough to avoid damaging the surrounding grass and plants. Plants can handle these solutions, but only if it's not too concentrated. Using lots of water in your rinse will dilute it enough.

Step 6: Dry

Allow the patio or walkway to naturally air dry. If you want to speed up the process, use a leaf blower to remove any surface water.

At this point you can evaluate whether your chosen cleaning solution was adequate.

You might choose to touch up some stubborn stains with a stronger detergent, but the dish soap solution should take care of 90% of stains on patios and walkways.

A few final notes:

Grease and engine oil stains

Grease or engine oil stains (more likely on a driveway than a patio) are in a bit of a category of their own. For those you will need a dedicated oil and grease remover formulated for use on concrete.

Pressure washers

For older patios, with years of accumulated dirt and grime, a pressure washer can be a valuable tool. But use it with care. If you get too close to the surface, a pressure washer can be powerful enough to damage the surface, leaving unsightly stripes on your patio.