How to Clean your Patio: A Comprehensive Guide

If all you’ve got to clean your patio is a bucket and a dream, we’ve got you covered! There are a few ways to clean your patio without a pressure washer or a hose, each is effective and uses products you probably already have in your home.



• Use Dawn Dish Soap. Begin with two gallons of warm water and add to it two teaspoons of dawn dishwashing liquid. We prefer Dawn because of it being incredibly effective on grease (it’s used to de-grease wildlife affected by oil spills). Wet a mop and thoroughly apply the solution, taking care to scrub the hardest hit areas of your patio. Give it 20-30 minutes then rinse with clean warm water.
• Use Bleach. Start with wetting the area with clean water, then add warm water to your bucket and add 1/3 of a cup of bleach to each gallon of water. Dip your brush in the solution and scrub your patio, leaving the solution on for 6 minutes (10 if you’re clearing up mold or mildew). Finally, rinse the area thoroughly with clean water.
• Use White Vinegar. A super cheap and effective cleaning solution, white vinegar has been a cleaning staple in American homes for decades. Starting again with warm water, add the same amount of vinegar to create a 50/50 solution. Pour the solution on your patio and allow it to work its magic for 20 minutes, then grab your brush and scrub the area. Rinse with clean warm water and your patio will look amazing!

Shady areas of your home that don’t get a lot of sunlight create moist spots that are perfect for algae and moss to grow. To remove the algae, pick a dry day and select the method you prefer:



• Pressure Washing. Although it will remove the algae, pressure washing can damage your grout or patio tiles. Any damage creates a more porous surface, allowing the algae or moss to grow back quicker. This means you’ll need to wash more frequently. In any case, it’s always good practice to use the lowest possible pressure on your patio that is still effective to minimize damage.
• Bleach or vinegar. White vinegar is a less harmful solution to your surrounding plants, though the acid in white vinegar can damage natural stone with a high lime content. In both cases, test a small area first to make sure your patio will be unharmed.
• Soap and Baking Soda. Adding a couple of teaspoons of dish soap plus a couple of baking soda to two gallons of water will create a cleaning solution readily usable on wooden decks… but you better have eaten your Wheaties. There’s a LOT of scrubbing involved, but eventually it’ll get the job done.



Stopping algae and moss from growing frequently begins at the beginning… when selecting materials for fencing or slabs, opt for flatter, more impermeable materials that will prevent algae/moss buildup. Choose softer woods like pine, fir and cedar or select limestone, slate, marble, or granite for your harder surfaces so moss and algae don’t have places to take hold. Short of installing new materials, use an appropriate sealer wherever possible to reduce algae. Once installed, keeping moisture from the area by adding drainage or slanting your patio would also help in the battle against algae.

Concrete patios may not be the prettiest, but they’re incredibly durable, low-maintenance and inexpensive choices that adorn many of our customers’ homes. To begin your concrete patio cleaning frenzy, start with treating stains on your patio:



• Rust stains. Spray the rust with white vinegar and let it penetrate the rust for an hour, then scrub with a stiff-bristled brush.
• Grease and Oil Stains. Mix baking soda with a bit of water to create a paste, then scrub it into the stain and let it sit for an hour. Since concrete is porous, you may need to use a degreaser to remove old grease stains from your patio (follow the manufacturer’s instructions).
• Water, mold, and mildew stains. Use warm water and add 1/3 cup of bleach per gallon, then scrub the area with a brush. Give it 10 minutes, then rinse thoroughly with clean water.



Once stains are handled, cleaning the patio can be tackled in multiple ways:



• Pressure washer. Take care to use the lowest pressure possible to still be effective, as higher pressures can damage your concrete.
• Concrete cleaner. Typically made from alkaline soap (to loosen oil), this is effective for porous concrete.
• Vinegar or baking soda. Scrub your patio with a 50/50 mixture of water to vinegar, leave it for 20-30 minutes, then rinse and you’ll be surprised at how well this natural cleaner works.
• Bleach. Using a mixture of 1 gallon of water to 1/3 cup of bleach, sprinkle over the entire patio. Using a push broom or soft-bristle mop, scrub then let sit for 10 minutes and rinse thoroughly.
• Dish soap. We prefer to use Dawn for its incredible oil lifting ability, add 1 teaspoon per gallon of water and apply to the surface. Let it sit for 20-30 minutes, mop the patio and rinse.
• Muriatic acid. Use protective gear and be careful because muriatic acid is dangerous and can kill plants and grass. Follow manufacturer’s instructions.

One of the things we love about our outdoor patios is that we have adorned them with comfy furniture and bright décor that makes us feel at home. Cleaning your furniture and décor isn’t as daunting as you may think.



For your outdoor metal furniture, a simple soap and water solution (1 teaspoon of soap per gallon) is all you need. Wash with this solution, then dry with a cloth. Check for rust or chips then use steel wool to remove any rust, then repaint the affected spots.



For plastic outdoor furnishings, we prefer to use a power washer on a very low setting. No power washer, no problem. Stay away from abrasive cleaners – we suggest using a half-cup of baking soda per gallon of water to scour your plastic furniture. Make sure to rinse thoroughly and allow to air dry.



Wooden furniture needs a little extra love. DO NOT use a pressure washer on wood furniture. Sweep the furniture clean of any dirt and debris, then use a mild soap that is formulated for wood (we suggest Murphy Oil Soap as it contains both a mild soap and oil to replenish the wood surface). Take care not to saturate porous weaves (like wicker or rattan), but rather gently wipe it down with a damp cloth.



Décor can be cleaned using the mild soap solution (1 teaspoon dish soap per gallon) and applied with a soft cloth. Consider using an old toothbrush to clean the cracks and cervices.

We want to keep our patios in tip-top condition – not only because it looks amazing, but the longevity that proper sealing adds to our patio increases the value of our home. Here’s what we suggest to seal and protect your patio.



• Patio Pavers. Applying a sealer can protect the porous materials against staining and prolong the life of the material. You can highlight the hue of your pavers while creating a gorgeous glossy finish that makes your pavers pop. Once sealed, your pavers will need to be resealed regularly (varying times depending on your paving material and the sealer selected).
• Natural Stone. When selecting a sealer for your natural stone patio, take care to pick one that is made for your stone. Selecting the wrong stone sealer can mean costly replacements or repairs. Note that some stone patio sealers are also color enhancers which will make your patio pop.
• Concrete. Here selecting your sealer gives you very different results. For a sheen on your concrete patio, select an acrylic sealer (they’re economical, easy to apply and UV resistant). For a more natural look, select a penetrating sealer which gives you solid outdoor protection without the surface film.
• Ceramic Tile. Cracked tiles are frequently the result of sun exposure. Sealing your tile with a penetrating sealer is typically chosen for large areas, and doesn’t compromise the finish of your tile. Solvent tile sealers (although less environmentally friendly) provide stronger protection due to the stronger chemicals involved. Topical sealers are chosen provide protection while adding a gloss finish to your tiles.
• Wooden Deck. Every year you should apply a sealant (or sealant and stain product) to your wooden deck. Sand the deck lightly before sealing to provide the best protection.

Nobody likes performing maintenance, and some think it’s a waste of time. Not so, young Padawan. Investing your time in maintaining your patio pays off handsomely (not just in the “hey that looks great” way, but also in the “you’re better off” way).



• Sweep your patio clean of debris once a week. Clearing debris lessens scratches, stains, and mildew.
• Migrate your furniture. Moving outdoor furniture a few inches over few days allows the material under the furniture’s feet to breathe so stains and mildew are less likely to develop.
• Wash your deck or patio. To increase your patio’s beauty and longevity, wash your patio once a month with the processes found above.
• Seal your deck or patio. At least annually, clean and seal your patio or deck to increase its beauty and longevity. Test your wood deck by sprinkling water on several areas to check if it beads correctly, or if it’s time to re-apply your sealant.