Most paving will require regular maintenance to keep it looking its very best. Routine brushing will help keep your outdoor patio surface clear of most dirt and debris that is most likely to build up over time.
Moss, algae, lichen, and other fungi will often develop when paving is exposed to moisture and will stain and mask the colour of the paving. Likewise, during the laying process, cement can often spill and dry on the paving surface. The good news is that such dirt can be successfully removed from most pavers. Our handy step-by-step guides will help you with three different paving cleaning methods:
The humble brush and soapy water still go a long way when cleaning light stains from paving slabs.
How to Clean your Patio Slabs with Soapy Water
Step 1 – Sweep the paving area and make sure it is clear of dirt and debris.
Step 2 - Fill a bucket with warm water and mix one cup of washing-up liquid, soap or soda crystals with warm water in a bucket
Step 3 – Pour the cleaning mixture over the affected area on your paving slab - do not be afraid to be generous.
Step 4 – Agitate the area with a hard bristled brush or broom.
Step 5 – Use a pressure washer on a low power setting or a hose to rinse with clean water
Step 6 – Leave the patio overnight and reassess the area the following day – this will help you spot any areas you might have missed
Step 7 – Repeat the cleaning process if necessary.
If you’re looking for a stronger patio cleaner solution, you can always use bleach. However, be wary of using it on softer stone and around your plants, as the strong alkaline base of typical household bleach can do damage to both.
Best for:
- Delicate paving
- Light staining
What you will need:
- Heavy duty garden broom
- Bucket and warm water
- Washing-up liquid/soap/soda crystals
- Hard bristle brush
- Pressure washer (low setting) or hose pipe
How to Clean your Patio with Vinegar
Non-toxic and environmentally friendly, white vinegar offers one of the best ways to clean a patio if an eco-friendly patio cleaning solution is your number one priority.
Step 1 – Sweep the paving area and make sure it is clear. Due to the acidic nature of white vinegar, it is important you remove plant pots, furniture, and ornaments so they are not affected by the vinegar water. If there are any items you cannot remove, cover them with a sheet. Before you begin the cleaning process, use a weeding tool to uproot any weeds from the jointing
Step 2 – Mix a cleaning solution made of half water and half vinegar. If your paving is particularly dirty, mix with more vinegar than water. When you have your mix, pour it into a watering can
Step 3 – Pour the solution onto the paving. Use a watering can to distribute the mixture generously and evenly across the paved area, ensuring the entire surface is covered. Once you are happy with the coverage, leave it to soak in for 20 minutes
Step 4 – During the 20 minutes, the solution should have lifted the dirt and grime, meaning a brush should be enough to clean effectively. Make sure to get among the cracks in the cement point between slabs, as the vinegar will also attack any remaining weeds
Step 5 - Once you have finished, mop the area clean with cold water. Your vinegar mix should have succeeded in both removing any stains and killing off any remaining weeds
Step 6 - Do not worry about the smell. Once you have mopped up and the water/vinegar mix has died, any odour will disappear. Remember, only put furniture and ornaments back on the paving once the surface is completely dry.
Best for:
- Eco-friendly cleaning
- Lifting stubborn dirt and stains
What you will need:
- Heavy duty garden broom
- Watering can
- Weeding tool
- Bucket and water
- White vinegar
How to Clean your Patio with a Pressure Washer
A pressure washer remains the easiest way to clean paving slabs, but it should be used carefully. Even on tough concrete and brick surfaces, a powerful pressure washer can cause damage to the paving surface. There is a fine balance between an effective stream pressure and protecting your patio - we would initially recommend a fan setting over a jet to protect your paving.
Step 1 – Sweep the paving area and make sure it is clear of dirt and debris
Step 2 – Connect your power washer hose to the water supply and turn the tap on
Step 3 - As you begin pressure washing, start with a low setting and increase the pressure as you go. The most powerful jet setting will provide the best results, but it may come at the expense of the top layer of your paving. You can do a few test sprays to check whether your water pressure is too high or too low.
Ensure to avoid spraying the jet directly onto the paving, which could cause damage. Instead, work from a good range and at a shallow angle (no more than 30°), moving in a diagonal motion across the paving. This avoids parallel washing of the joints, which could damage the cement pointing.
Step 4 – Once the paving is clean, turn off the tap, disconnect and move your furniture back
Best for:
- Removing dried cement and other tougher materials
- Quick cleaning
What you will need:
- Heavy duty garden broom
- Power washer
- Water source
Cleaning your Paving in Different Seasons
It's a good idea to carry out your maintenance in line with changes to the weather in order to keep your patio looking its best.
- Spring: you should clean your paving thoroughly following the winter months, as there may be a build-up of organic growth as well as general dirt and debris. Spring is also a good time to check the joints between the paving slabs, which might need re-pointing
- Summer: it is likely you’ll be using your garden more as the weather warms up – so clean up any spillages when they occur to minimise the risk of staining
- Autumn: the fallen leaves from shrubs and plants can stain your paving if they are left for long periods of time – so it’s a good idea to regularly sweep your patio clean
- Winter: many homeowners use de-icing salt so they can access their property easily. However, these can cause discolouration, so we would recommend using other de-icing materials
As well as these helpful tips, we have an extensive cleaning care range from Azpects available here. Our range of products are suitable for the regular maintenance and care of your natural stone paving slabs and the general upkeep of your outdoor space.
Shop our Paving & Walling products here.