Patios, whether they are covered in slippery moss, unsightly algae, or just dirt, can be a lot easier to clean with the help of some cleaning solutions. However, not every cleaning product is suitable for different patio types. Many common solutions are actually harmful to patios and the surrounding plants.
According to Andy McLaughlin, landscaping specialist at RF Paving, some products and chemicals should be “avoided completely” when cleaning paving. It is crucial to know which substance can be used on which paving, along with understanding what type of marks need to be cleaned off the surface. While most domestic products will be fine when cleaning any paving, if a stronger, more industrial substance is used, then knowing what type of paving you have is key, or it can leave “irreversible stains” behind.
One such product that should be avoided, causing “irreversible stains,” is the Pink Stuff Cream Cleaner. Many cleaning products can cause irreversible damage. On TikTok, where there are 84.3M posts on patio cleaning, users have shared their unique paving cleaning methods to tackle the grime using products such as the Pink Stuff Cream Cleaner. However, before reaching for your favorite surface cleaner, it is essential to know what type of paving is being cleaned and what substance is being cleaned off the surface.
While most cleaners will work to a certain extent and may not harm the paving itself, consideration should be given to the surrounding areas, like lawns or planted borders, wood, planters, or patio furniture. Instead, expert Rowan Cripps of Infinite Paving recommends households use white vinegar to tackle the task.
Simply make a solution that is half water and half vinegar. You can then apply the solution to your paving, making sure that you do not miss any areas. The expert recommends leaving the solution on the paving stones for around 20 minutes. Over this time, the solution “works effectively” to bring out the dirt and stains from the paving stones. It does this thanks to the acidity of the vinegar. The water is used to dilute the acidity of the vinegar to make it less harsh on the natural stones, as many paving stones can be very sensitive when it comes to acids. Vinegar is popular for tackling a range of cleaning dilemmas and is something that is very typically found in most households. For those who don’t have vinegar to hand, they can pick up a bottle for 35p at Sainsbury’s and Tesco.
However, Andy recommends pressure washing to be the “perfect method” for cleaning patios. For those who don’t have a pressure washer, he recommends using a block paving cleaner such as lithofin outdoor cleaner, which retails on Amazon for £21. He claimed that this would help remove any organic growth that has accumulated. There are also other specialized patio cleaners on the market, like Patio Magic, which retails for £12.75 at B&Q or Wet and Forget, which costs £18 at Wickes.
After cleaning, wait a day for the paving to dry and make sure to pour new sand over the paving and gently sweep it into the joins to make sure they are evenly filled and stable.
