So, you are looking to clean your patio without a pressure washer and are looking for some ideas on how to do that. Then you’ve come to the right place!
Here are some tips on how to clean your patio slabs without using a pressure washer.
In order to clean your slabs without a pressure washer, you either need to use a homemade patio cleaner with household items you already have at home or a store-bought patio cleaner that will likely have powerful chemicals in the ingredients.
First, let’s look at the reasons not to use a pressure washer.
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The Problem With Pressure Washers
Pressure washers are just that. Machines that apply pressure to water in order to clean surfaces.
They are incredibly powerful and can remove most dirt, grime, and built-up residue with relative ease.
The problem with pressure washers is that they are just too powerful for some surfaces. In fact, if you use a pressure washer on certain surfaces, like patio slabs, you can actually damage them.
Pressure washers use a high-pressure stream of water to clean and can easily blast away the top layer of concrete or other surface material.
If this happens, it can leave your surface looking patchy and uneven. So, even if the surface looks clean after using the pressure washer, it’s likely that there is still a fair amount of dirt and grime hiding in the cracks and crevices that you can’t see.
So, if you are looking to clean your patio slabs without a pressure washer, what are your options?
Related: Can You Pressure Wash Patio Furniture? (Helpful Options)
De-Weed
The first thing you need to do when cleaning your slabs is to de-weed them.
Weeds can easily grow between the cracks in your slabs and, as they mature, they will start to spread their roots. Not only do weeds look unsightly, but they can also be a pain to remove.
To de-weed your slabs, use a weedkiller or a garden fork to loosen the soil, and then pull the weeds out by hand. Be careful not to damage the surface of the slabs in the process.
Related: How To Get Rid Of Weeds Between Your Block Paving (Easy Hacks)
Sweep Away Debris
Once you have removed the weeds from your patio, it’s time to sweep away any remaining debris.
Use a broom or a leaf blower to clear away any leaves, sticks, and other small bits of rubbish that may have built up on your slabs over time.
Homemade Patio Cleaner
Before purchasing any store-bought cleaners, I would highly recommend trying a homemade patio cleaner.
There are a number of different recipes that you can find online, but most involve using vinegar, baking soda, and water.
Simply mix the ingredients together in a spray bottle and apply them to your slabs. Let the mixture sit for a few minutes before rinsing it away with a hose.
Related: Household Goods That Make Excellent Diy Cleaners
Here’s a brief explanation of the types of homemade patio cleaners you can make:
Cleaning patio slabs with bleach
We all have some form of bleach in the home, so this is a good option if you want to make a homemade patio cleaner.
Bleach is a powerful disinfectant and will kill any bacteria or mold that may be growing on your slabs. It’s important to note, however, that bleach can also damage concrete, so use it sparingly and only on surfaces that won’t be affected.
Here are the steps:
1. Mix 1 part bleach to 10 parts water
2. Spray onto the slabs and let it sit for a few minutes
3. Rinse with a hose
Note: Take great care when using any form of bleach and always read the manufacturer’s instructions.
Related: How To Clean Your Patio Without A Hose (Step By Step Guide)
Cleaning patio slabs with washing-up liquid
Using washing-up liquid is a popular choice in the forums as it’s cheap and easy to find.
Washing up liquid is a detergent and will help to break down any dirt or grease that may be on your slabs.
Here are the steps:
1. Mix 1 part washing up liquid to 5 parts water.
2. Spray onto the slabs and let it sit for a few minutes.
3. Rinse with a hose (make sure you rinse well).
Related: How To Clean A Patio (Without Chemicals)
Cleaning patio slabs with washing powder
You might be surprised to see this one on the list, but trust me, it works!
Washing powder is a great way to clean your slabs as it contains enzymes that break down dirt and grease.
Here are the steps:
1. Mix 1 part washing powder to 10 parts water
2. Spray onto the slabs and let it sit for a few minutes.
3. Rinse with a hose (make sure you rinse well).
Cleaning patio slabs with white vinegar
White vinegar is a natural disinfectant and cleaner. It can be used to clean a variety of surfaces, including patio slabs.
It’s vital that you use white vinegar and not malt vinegar. This is because white vinegar is less acidic and will not damage your slabs like malt vinegar can.
Here are the steps:
1. Mix 1 part white vinegar with 3 parts water
2. Spray onto the slabs and let them sit for a few minutes.
3. Rinse with a hose (make sure you rinse well).
Cleaning paving slabs with soda crystals
Now, we very rarely use soda crystals in the home, however, this is one of the best ways to clean paving slabs.
Soda crystals are alkali and will help to break down any dirt or grease that may be on your slabs.
Here are the steps:
1. Mix 1 part soda crystals to 5 parts water.
2. Spray onto the slabs and let it sit for a few minutes.
3. Rinse with a hose (make sure you rinse well).
Cleaning patio slabs with bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)
Bicarbonate of soda, or baking soda, is another alkali that can be used to clean paving slabs.
It’s important to note that the bicarbonate of soda should not be used on acid-sensitive surfaces, such as limestone or marble.
Here are the steps:
1. Mix 1 part baking soda with 10 parts water.
2. Spray onto the slabs and let them sit for a few minutes.
3. Rinse with a hose (make sure you rinse well).
Now that you know how to clean your paving slabs without a pressure washer, there’s no need to worry about them looking dirty and stained any longer!
Try out one of the methods mentioned above and enjoy having a patio that’s sparkling clean!
Now let’s take a look at the store-bought options:
Store-Bought Patio Cleaner (Specialist)
If you’re not keen on making your own patio cleaner, or if you just want to try something different, then you might want to consider using a store-bought option.
There are a few different types available, so I’ve put together a quick guide to help you decide which one is right for you.
- Defenders STV940 Concentrated Path and Patio Cleaner – This concentrated patio cleaner is designed to remove moss, algae, and lichen from patios, paths, and other outdoor surfaces. It comes in a handy spray bottle and is safe to use on all types of paving slabs and surfaces. You just need to add water and it’s ready to use.
- JCB Heavy Duty Patio Cleaner is a high-quality lichen remover, mold remover, and algae removal tool. It comes in a handy 750ml bottle and is safe to use on all types of paving slabs and surfaces.
- Fenwicks Patio Cleaner – This patio cleaner is perfect for removing dirt, algae, moss, and lichen from your paving slabs. It comes in a handy spray bottle and is safe to use on all types of surfaces (including plastic, rubber, and metal).
- Algon Organic Path and Patio Cleaner Concentrate help restore the natural color of virtually any surface in an organic way. It comes in a handy 1-liter bottle and is safe to use on all types of paving slabs (including concrete, stone, and brick).
- Jarder Spray & Leave 4 x 5 Litre Concentrate Cleaner kills all green mold, and algae with ease, without the need for scrubbing or pressure washing algae, and moss on contact. It comes in a handy 4 x 5-liter bottle and is safe to use on all types of paving slabs (including concrete, stone, and brick).
- Thompson’s Patio Cleaner is perfect for removing dirt, algae, moss, and lichen from your paving slabs. It comes in a handy aerosol can and is safe to use on all types of surfaces (including plastic, rubber, and metal).
- Patio Magic is a long-lasting mold disinfectant for the easy treatment of mold and algae on patios, walls, and fences. It comes in a handy 5L container and is safe to use on all types of paving slabs (including concrete, stone, and brick).
- SmartSeal Patio Clean Xtreme removes lichen and black spots from patios and paths with ease. It comes in a handy 5L container and is safe to use on all types of paving slabs (including concrete, stone, and brick).
- Pro-Kleen Patio & Driveway Cleaner is an extra-strength formula that removes the most stubborn of dirt and grime from patios, driveways, paving, and more. It comes in a handy 5L container and is safe to use on all types of paving slabs (including concrete, stone, and brick).
Related: Will My Patio Cleaner Kill Plants? (This Answer May Surprise You)
Cleaning patio slabs with pink stuff
The pink stuff is normally used to clean kitchen surfaces such as cooker hobs, but it can also be used to clean paving slabs.
Just mix the pink stuff with water and apply it to the slabs with a brush or cloth.
Leave it to sit for a few minutes, then rinse off with a hose.
There are also many other store-bought patio cleaners available, so I suggest you take a trip down to your local hardware store and have a look around.
Just make sure you read the labels carefully to see if the product is safe to use on your type of paving slab.
Looking After Your Patio Year-Round
Since we have so many different types of weather conditions, it’s important to take a few extra steps to protect your paving slabs from the elements.
Here are a few tips to help you keep your patio looking its best all year round:
Weatherproof Furniture
When we think of patios we generally just think of the surfaces and forget about the furniture. However, your patio furniture makes up a big part of the overall look, so it’s important to make sure it’s weatherproof.
If your furniture isn’t weatherproof, then you can buy some cheap covers from your local hardware store or online.
You could also consider painting your furniture with weatherproof paint.
Related: Can You Pressure Wash Patio Furniture? (Helpful Options)
Heat Things Up
Have you thought about installing an outside fire or patio heater?
Not only will this keep you warm on those cold winter nights, but it will also help to keep your patio looking good all year round.
Just make sure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully and don’t place anything too close to the heater that could catch fire.
Use an alternative to salt
The problem with salt is, that it dries things out. Not only can it damage your paving slabs, but it can also damage your plants and grass.
An alternative to using salt is using sand. This will help to keep your patio in good condition while still being safe for your plants and grass.
Don’t de-ice more than you have to
Now, even though a calcium chloride de-icer is easier on your hardscapes than salt, it’s still best to use it sparingly.
If you can avoid using de-icers altogether, that would be the best option. But if you have to use them, try and only use them in the areas where you have pavement, and not on your plants or grass.
Choose a plastic shovel
The vast majority f shovels sold in DIY stores are made of metal. However, if you’re using a shovel to clear ice and snow from your paving slabs, it’s best to use a plastic shovel.
Metal shovels can damage your slabs, while plastic shovels are much more forgiving.
Clean it on a warm day
If you happen to get a cold day during the winter, then make good use of it by using the opportunity to clear any ice and snow from your paving slabs.
This will prevent a buildup of ice and snow and will make it much easier to clean when the weather eventually warms up.
If you can’t clear it all at once, then just take care of it a little bit each day until it’s all gone.
How To Get Rid Of Black Spots On Patio Slabs
Most people think that you need to use the most powerful pressure washer in order to clean black spots from patio slabs. However, this is not the case.
A bottle of Wet and Forget with Benzalkonium Chloride is all you need. This is useful for treating organic growth like mold, algae, mildew, and moss. Because it contains no bleach or acid, Wet and Forget will not harm surfaces like paving slabs, walls, brick, or other patio and driveway materials.
Sealing Your Patio to Reduce Maintenance
Paver sealant is your secret weapon for maintaining your patio with little effort.
Applying a paver sealant will not only make your patio look great, but will also protect it from staining and fading.
You can find paver sealants at any hardware store, and they’re really easy to apply. Just make sure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.
FAQs
How do I clean my garden path without a pressure washer?
The process to clean your garden path without a pressure washer is very similar to how you would clean your patio slabs. You can use a broom to sweep away any loose dirt or debris, and then you can use a garden hose to rinse off the surface. If there are any black spots or stains on the surface, you can use a bottle of Wet and Forget with Benzalkonium Chloride to treat them.
How do you clean a brick patio without a pressure washer?
The process to clean your brick patio without a pressure washer is very similar to how you would clean your patio slabs. You can use a broom to sweep away any loose dirt or debris, and then you can use a garden hose to rinse off the surface. If there are any black spots or stains on the surface, you can use a bottle of Wet and Forget with Benzalkonium Chloride to treat them.
Does bleach remove black spots on the patio?
Yes, you can use bleach to remove black spots from your patio. However, you should be careful not to get bleach on any of your plants or grass, as it can damage them. You can use a garden hose to rinse off the surface after you’ve applied the bleach. If there are any black spots or stains on the surface, you can use a bottle of Wet and Forget with Benzalkonium Chloride to treat them.
Related: 5 Ways To Clean A Concrete Patio Without Killing Your Grass
How do you remove black stains from paving slabs?
To remove black stains, use Pro-Kleen Black Spot Remover. It is a biodegradable and non-toxic product that will remove all the black spots from your paving slabs. Just make sure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully. Wait for at least 2 hours before rinsing off the surface with a garden hose.
How to remove paving slabs without breaking them?
The best way to remove a slab without causing any damage is to frame it with 2×12 lumber and pump “drillers mud” beneath it. The mason’s mortar confines the mud, which causes it to rise.
How do I get rid of algae on my patio?
A once-a-year regimen, Rob Parker’s best algae remover, is a powerful biocide that cleans and protects most outdoor surfaces. Their solution is a potent biocidal agent that works fast and has a long shelf life.
Summary
After reading this article, you now know how to clean your patio slabs without a pressure washer.
I have provided several solutions from sweeping and rinsing off the surface with water or cleaning them with Wet & Forget products like Benzalkonium Chloride for organic growths like mold, algae, mildew, and moss.
You can also use bleach if there are any black stains on the surface of your paving slabs.
For more information about other tips that will help keep your outdoor space looking beautiful all year long – including sealing patios to reduce maintenance.
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