How to clean a patio and deck
After a wet and chilly winter, your garden will likely need some restoring. Spring is the perfect time of year to start tackling those essential garden maintenance jobs that will leave your garden looking great again. Plus, as the days become longer and begin to warm up, you’ll want to spend as much time outside as you can!
One of the best places to start is cleaning your patio or deck. As these areas usually take up a large space in your outdoors, you can completely transform your garden just by giving it a bit of a tidy. Not only does a clean patio or deck make your outdoors look better, but it’s also important from a safety point of view. Moss and debris can become slippery if left uncleaned.
We’ve put together this guide to help you give your patio or deck an effective and efficient spring clean. So, pick a dry day, don your welly boots, and let’s get tidying!
What’s the best way to clean a patio?
While you can clean your patio or deck by scrubbing it with vinegar or hot soapy water, a pressure washer is the best tool you can use for a quick and proper clean.
A pressure washer is a garden power tool that uses pressurised water to remove dirt, grime, and other debris from various surfaces outside. Investing in a good pressure washer is worth the cost as it won't just clean your patio or deck uniformly and thoroughly, making it look brand-new again, but you can also use it when cleaning other areas of your garden, including outdoor furniture and cars.
Choosing the right pressure washer
The first step to choosing a pressure washer that’s right for you is understanding how it works. The pressure of the water is measured in bars. The higher the bar rating, the stronger the water stream will be.
The amount of pressure you need will depend on the material of the surface you’re cleaning. Low to medium pressure (about 100–130 bars or less) is best for wooden patios, soft decking, fencing and garden furniture. High pressure (130–150 bars) is best for pathways, driveways, and brick or stone patios. Using the correct pressure level for the surface you’re cleaning is important. Not only will it get the job done properly, but it’ll avoid causing any damage to the area too. Most pressure washers have adjustable pressure settings to give you flexibility in the jobs you can use them for.
The new High-Flow Hydroshot Cordless Power Cleaner from Worx is a great choice, especially if you’re also looking to wash cars, bikes and other large equipment. While battery powered, it still delivers excellent performance and results, and its 5-in-1 pressure nozzle allows for different angles and forces of water spray. Its most impressive feature, however, is that there’s no need to connect it to a garden hose or tap. The Hydroshot draws water from any source, including buckets, bottles, pools and even lakes. This makes it ideal for versatile cleaning around the garden.
How to clean your patio with a pressure washer
Giving your patio or deck a full clean can be done in a single sunny afternoon. To help guide you, we’ve summed up the process in these 5 simple steps:
De-clutter your patio
Before you start cleaning, you’ll first need to remove everything from your patio or deck. Make sure the area is entirely free from furniture, plant pots, BBQs and other large items and accessories to prevent damaging or dirtying them in the cleaning process, and to give you a clutter-free area to begin cleaning.
Remove debris from patio
After de-cluttering, sweep up any leaves and debris left over from autumn and winter using a dustpan and patio brush. Don't forget to pay close attention to the corners. You should also remove any weeds from paving cracks, either with a durable pair of gardening gloves or weedkiller (make sure to check the instructions to avoid damaging your patio or deck with any chemicals). A leaf blower is a handy tool to have for clearing away leaves and other small debris or a quick and easy tidy.
Use a pressure washer
Using a pressure washer on your patio or deck is the easiest way to clean it thoroughly. However, it can get quite wet, so make sure to protect yourself with wellies, waterproof trousers and safety goggles. Compared to hand scrubbing, this method is the quickest, most effective, and low effort way.
Start with the pressure washer on the lowest setting and fully soak the surface to loosen the dirt. Keep the nozzle about 30cm–50cm from the ground and go over the surface slowly and steadily, moving back and forth, to ensure a full and thorough clean across the whole area. If your patio is made from porcelain or sandstone, then keep washer on lowest setting to avoid damage. If you’re struggling to remove larger pieces of dirt or stains, you can bring the nozzle slightly closer.
Afterwards, use the hose to rinse off any remaining loose dirt, as well as anything that’s splashed onto nearby walls or windows. Let it air dry, and your patio or deck will look spick and span! Remember to wait until it’s completely dried before replacing furniture and other items.
If necessary, a patio cleaner solution can be used in combination with a pressure washer. When using a cleaning solution, the distance of the nozzle can be increased, allowing for a gentler cleaning of the surface area. Patio cleaners are effective at clearing stubborn mould and algae. Make sure to read the directions on your chosen product, rinsing the surface thoroughly with water once it’s washed.
Clean your outdoor furniture
Cleaning your patio and deck is also a great opportunity to wash your garden furniture, so it’s ready to use again come sunny weather. How you clean it will depend on what materials it’s made from but usually wiping furniture down with a warm water and vinegar mix will do the job. You can also use your pressure washer on a low setting to remove large amounts of dirt.
If your outdoor furniture cushions have removable covers, then you can wash them too. Follow the washing instructions found on the label. For non-removable cushions, spot clean them with a damp cloth and leave them to air dry.
Add finishing touches to your patio
Once your patio or deck is clean, dry, and ready for spring, you can add some finishing touches to really personalise your outdoor space and bring it to life.
A colourful planter bursting with your favourite spring bedding plants or hardy shrubs that bloom again every year is the ideal way to instantly brighten your patio or deck. Lavender is a wonderful choice, as it has a beautifully earthy scent you can breathe in as you relax.
To make your space feel like your own, accessorise your furniture with decorative accents, such as blankets, outdoor rugs, and new cushion covers. For those long summer nights or slightly breezier evenings, a firepit or chiminea is a must-have in keeping warm long after the sun goes down. Add one to your patio so you can spend even more time enjoying your outdoors this season.
Aftercare: keep your patio and deck looking its best all spring
After your patio looks brand-new again, you can take some extra steps to help it stay looking its best for longer.
Regularly sweeping your patio or deck with a coarse brush helps prevent leaves and debris from rotting or being squashed into the surface, often making them more difficult to remove. These debris can become dangerously slippery and even stain your patio or deck. Hosing down your patio from time to time can also help get rid of dirt before it hardens and becomes tough to clean.
You should also take care when enjoying al fresco meals on your patio. Clean up dropped food straight away and scrub off any grease marks made from your sizzling BBQ using hot water and a bit of washing up liquid. This becomes especially important in the summer months, when you’ll be using your patio more in the good weather.
We hope that by following these steps, you’re able to give your patio or deck a full spring clean and create an inviting outdoor space where you can relax, entertain guests and enjoy the sunshine when it arrives!
For more spring and summer gardening tips, browse through our advice and inspiration page. Don’t forget to speak to a member of our Green Team in-store if you have any questions or are looking for more recommendations when it comes to tidying up your outdoors.