Life Hack: How to deep clean your patio without using a pressure washer
Istock Picture:
Many of us are looking at our outdoor areas as the weather brightens and improves and wondering where to start when refreshing them for summer. After a long period of wet weather, some shady patios and paths will have built up green algae which might seem daunting to remove. Similarly, dirt and grime may have built up over the winter months and need to be tackled. While pressure washing can give an immediate before-and-after effect, it can be impractical to use for several reasons: some paving slabs have sand in the gaps and this would need to be replaced with more grit sand if washed away, they can be expensive to buy, and for environmental reasons, you may not want to use excess water when cleaning. Here are some alternative cleaning methods.
Much of what you already have in your home can be used to tackle the patio. White vinegar is a great option to break down and remove dirt and grime. Mix an equal portion of vinegar with water, apply it to the surface and scrub with a stiff brush. Rinse it completely off the patio once clean. Make sure you do a patch test first as vinegar is unsuitable for surfaces like natural stone.
Another option is to use your usual washing-up liquid to break down dirt outside. Add some drops to warm water and, again, scrub with a stiff brush before rinsing away. You may need to repeat to remove all dirt.
For tougher stains on your patio, make a paste of baking soda/bicarbonate of soda and water. Apply it to the stained surface and scrub gently with a stiff brush — the mixture is already abrasive so no need to scrub too hard. Rinse with water and repeat if necessary. For difficult stains and grime, you can also pick up a specialised solution on your local hardware store or garden centre.
After you’ve cleaned your outdoor area, make sure you freshen up any garden furniture you have too. You can clean most garden furniture with warm, soapy water and a brush or sponge. A light bleach and water solution can also help to remove stubborn algae that may have built up. Rattan furniture is a popular choice in Ireland and you can reach some difficult crevices on those with an old toothbrush. Rinse with clean water and allow the furniture to air dry in the sunshine. If some of your furniture has rust stains after winter, let some undiluted vinegar sit on the stain and wipe it away. You can wash cushion covers for your outdoor furniture on a low-heat setting. Don’t tumble dry them, however — let them dry in the sun to retain their size and shape.