Patios are a great addition to any home. It serves as a multifunctional outdoor space from cooking stations to entertaining spaces to a lounging area your patio is one of the most versatile areas in your home.
That said, due to its multipurpose nature and its outdoor placement, patios tend to get dirty. Grime and dirt can accumulate over time, and without regular cleaning, it becomes less welcoming and unsightly.
If it has gotten so dirty that you can’t remember what color it used to be, this guide provides you with the know-how on deep cleaning your patio.
1. Start Decluttering
Similar to deep cleaning any space, we always start by decluttering. So, look around your patio for any items you no longer need. It can be a piece of broken patio furniture, an out-of-place décor, or those grills or other kitchen equipment you left there since your last BBQ party.
If you have plants on your patio, there’s a good chance that dead leaves and other fallen branches are scattered around it. So, sweep the debris and dirt away.
Also, make sure to move any furniture and accessories before deep cleaning your patio. Doing so helps you have an undisturbed cleaning since you’ve already set aside all unnecessary items thereon.
2. Use a Pressure Washer
If you have stone pavers or a concrete patio, a pressure washer is the best option to clean it. Deep cleaning with a pressure washer can help remove years’ worth of grime, dirt, and dust in just a few minutes.
If you don’t have a pressure washer, you can buy one from your local hardware store. Make sure to learn how to use a pressure washer first before cleaning your patio. Also, never point the pressure washer at others or yourself.
But if you’re hesitant to do it yourself, you can always hire expert cleaning services to do the task for you. Service companies like Under Pressure Soft Wash & Power Washing can provide professional deep cleaning, restoring the appearance of your patio to its former glory.
3. Scrub With Soapy Water
If you don’t have access to a pressure washer and there are still a few stains left after pressure washing, good ol’ soapy water can be an affordable cleaning solution for your patio. It only takes a bit of elbow grease as you scrub-a-dub the stubborn dirt. Plus, it’s effective for cleaning your patio chairs and tables too.
You can mix warm water with a tablespoon or two of washing-up liquid in a bucket and pour it onto your patio. Using a broom or stiff brush, scrub your patio here and there. Then, rinse it with clean water.
4. Try a Vinegar Solution with Baking Soda
While most people opt for store-bought commercial patio cleaning agents, if you want a more eco-friendly and non-toxic solution, why use the ingredients you already have in your kitchen.
White vinegar is one of the best ways to clean patio slabs. Mix equal parts of water and vinegar, or if you have an overly dirty patio, mix more vinegar than water.
Pour the mixture into a watering can and spray generously across your patio. Make sure that the entire surface is covered. Leave the solution to soak into your patio flooring for 20 minutes. After that, you can also brush the surface.
Then, mop the area clean with cold water. Don’t worry about the strong smell. Since it’s outdoors, the odor should disappear in a few hours after mopping.
If you think the vinegar solution is not enough, you can also mix it with baking soda. Another eco-friendly and natural ingredient for cleaning your patio, baking soda, is often mixed with vinegar to create a powerful cleaning solution for more stubborn grime and dirt.
Pour a cup of baking soda into a plastic bucket. Then, slowly add two cups of white vinegar. The mixture should foam but will settle if you slowly mix it. It must have a slightly thick consistency thick enough to stick to the surface but not too thick that you can spread it easily.
Then, make sure to spread it evenly across the surface. You can follow the same instructions above. Since you have a slightly thicker mixture, use a hose to rinse off the area, then mop it to dry easily.
Takeaway
And there you have it!
As the trend towards outdoor living continues, patios are becoming a favorite slice of paradise for most homes.
Regardless of what you use your patio for whether it’s for family bonding time, work from home, a BBQ party, or simply enjoying your afternoon coffee outdoors keeping it cleaned and organized ensures that you have a comfortable and wonderful time outside.
