A-Z of DIY & Building Guides How To Clean Your Garden

Date Published:

01/09/2008

How To Clean Decking, Paths And Patios

Allowed to build up over winter, dirt and slime can make hard surfaces in the garden slippery and discoloured. Cleaning it off can be a tough job, so arm yourself with the right materials.

How To Clean Patios And Paths

Regular sweeping should keep the patio and paths looking neat, but if they are starting to look a bit neglected, give them a spring makeover. Remove any weeds growing between the stones – not only do they look scruffy but they may be dislodging your patio slabs. Use a knife or patio weeder to prise them all out, or take the biological warfare route and try Roundup, around £4.99 per litre – it’s a less natural approach, but it should stop the blighters coming back.

Next, give the paving a thorough sweep with a stiff yard broom. To tackle the dirt and slime build up, a high-pressure washer is the least strenuous method – although it can be rough on grout and uses a lot of water, so it’s not the most ecologically sound option. Follow the manufacturer’s advice for the best pressure setting and direct the water away from grouted areas or any pots, plants or garden lights. A less water-hungry method is to try a proprietary stone cleaning product. There are many different brands available – check out your local DIY store or garden centre. Once applied, the dirt may simply rinse off or you may need to employ some firm brushing, depending on the state of your slabs and the product you use.

Keep an eye out for eco-friendly versions, such as Just Concrete and Patio Cleaner, around £4.99 for 750ml. Of course, if your stone isn’t too stained and you are up for a workout, a solution of laundry detergent and warm water and some thorough scrubbing should lift the dirt – use a nature-friendly type like Ecover.

How To Clean Decking

Sweep the deck regularly with a stiff broom to prevent a build up of dirt and algae, which would make it discoloured and slippery. Once or twice a year you may need to take further action, however. A pressure washer is suitable for the deck and will make short work of grime, but can use an incredible 400 litres of water per hour. If your water meter can’t accept that, there are plenty of specialist decking cleaning products available (ie, Ronseal Decking Cleaner & Reviver, around £9.49 for five litres), which you brush into the wood, leave, then rinse off, hopefully taking all of the dirt with them. Check carefully that the cleaner you choose is suitable for your type of deck.

A simpler, cheaper and more ecological idea is to wash the deck down with a solution of warm water and soda crystals (around £1 per kg), or OxiClean stain remover (around £2.99 for 500ml).

Got A Better Cleaning Solution?

Let us know if you've found a better way of cleaning your deck or patio.