Patios can quickly become grimy due to seasonal changes. But one expert has shared a simple hack to clean your patio using a 30p product
Patios can become thick with grime due to weather elements like rain and wind, and seasonal changes, with menacing green algae, moss, and general dirt all contributing to the ugly look and also posing a slip risk. While reaching for the pressure washer is one approach, lifestyle writer Sophie Harris successfully used white vinegar.
Sharing her experience, she said: “The 30p product worked incredibly well, and I wish I had used it sooner. I started cleaning my patio by sweeping away any debris with a brush to make sure the surface was clean.
“Once the debris was cleared, I placed white vinegar and warm water into a bucket in a 1:1 ratio.”
Backing this household tip, the experts at StovesAreUs said it’s a winner against stubborn stains and said: “To use this solution, pour it over the stubborn stains and leave them for about an hour or so.
“Then, use a hard-bristled brush with warm, soapy water to remove them.”
However, Sophie was amazed to find the white vinegar alone eliminated the grime so effectively that the hard-bristled brush was unnecessary, reports the Express.
She said: “I picked the white vinegar up from Tesco, and it cost around 30p, but I didn’t need to use the whole bottle on my patio.
“It required little to no scrubbing, and I was so surprised at the colour of my patio after; it looked brand new.
“I thought I might need to go over the patio again due to the slates having grooves in them, but the vinegar targeted them well with little to no marks remaining.”
Yet, one must be vigilant about their patio material since white vinegar is acidic and could potentially damage certain materials.
Moreover, if your patio is beset with weeds, this homemade concoction can help get rid of them.
If you’re after a speedy way to banish stains and algae from your patio, a pressure washer might be your top choice.
It comes as property expert Gregory Smith from PriceYourJob.co.uk reckons giving these outdoor areas a proper clean helps maintain them in prime shape and stops problems cropping up later.
While blasting your drive and patio with a pressure washer might be the speediest route, the specialist has also revealed some eco-friendly alternatives. These involve using washing-up liquid mixed with water alongside white vinegar.
The expert explained: “Start by examining the driveway and removing any weeds that you see poking through cracks and gaps. The way to do this will depend on how severe the problem is.
“If you can pull up the weeds by hand, this is the best option. There are no special products required to create the soapy cleaning solution. Use a mild soap with warm water.
“Just make sure you check the soap that you use, as some soaps could cause damage to the pavers. Mix the soapy solution together until you start to see a foam form on the top.”