IF YOU are hoping to get out in your garden this summer but are put off by your ghastly-looking patio, you’ve come to the right place.
Many patios in the UK are currently looking pretty dirty and discoloured, but in less than an hour, thanks to some helpful tips from an expert, you can get yours looking brand new.
Not only this, but you won't need a pressure washer either and you’ll probably have the secret in your cupboard already.
A paving expert at Simply Paving has shared two solutions to remove dirt, debris and algae using common household products.
So if you’ve got a bottle of washing-up liquid on your kitchen counter or some white vinegar in your cupboard, you’re in luck.
Simply Paving said: “Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need any fancy products to clean a patio without a pressure washer.
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“In fact, one of the most effective patio cleaning products is good old-fashioned washing-up liquid mixed with warm tap water.”
If you want to try cleaning your patio with washing-up liquid, you’ll need to grab a bottle of the good stuff, which you can pick up from Morrisons for as little as 43p, a bucket of warm water and a hard-bristled brush.
First things first, squirt a small amount of washing-up liquid into the bucket and fill it with warm water, ensuring there are enough soap suds.
Then start in the corners of the patio and splash a little water and scrub with the brush – and the dirt and debris should start to lift.
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According to Simply Paving, if you scrub diagonally, “this will be gentler on the jointing compound” and less of it will come out during cleaning.
Repeat this process until the whole patio is covered and clean.
Once done, clean the dirty water away by hosing it down or brushing it off into a drainage point.
Leave the patio to dry fully then replace the patio furniture and any pots.
But if you really don’t fancy scrubbing, then you’re in luck, as according to the experts, white vinegar will do all the work for you,
The paving experts explained: “In need of an environmentally-friendly, non-toxic and non-chemical patio cleaner? White vinegar can be found in just about any supermarket.
“Tailored to tough cleaning jobs, you’ll want to opt for the white vinegar patio cleaning method if you are freshening up a very dirty patio or removing dirt from high traffic outdoor areas.
“However, please note that you shouldn’t use this method on limestone pavers as the acid will permanently damage their surface.”
If you fancy giving this method a try, you can pick up a bottle of white vinegar for only 29p from Tesco.
Once you’ve got that ready, you’ll also need a bucket of warm water and a hard-bristled brush.
First, in the bucket, mix the white vinegar and warm water in a 1:1 ratio.
For really dirty patio slabs, or areas with stubborn stains, add more vinegar into the solution.
Then pour the solution over the patio – you might need several buckets if the area is large – and leave the vinegar to work for 30 minutes to an hour.
Then simply clean the vinegar solution using soapy water.
Simply Paving recommends cleaning the patio once a year, and a small amount of maintenance will “deliver a consistently clean finish all year round”.
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It is advisable to sweep the patio slabs regularly, especially during autumn months as this will prevent leaves building up and potentially discolouring or staining the slabs.
Patio sealants are another option to keep slabs looking news as it helps prevent weathering and preserve the colour.
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