No need for special equipment, assure the experts.
After months of strong wind, rain and winter dirt, patio tiles and coverings have lost their shine. With the arrival of beautiful spring weather, it’s time to clean your terrace to fully enjoy your outdoor space.
But if you don’t have a pressure washer, don’t panic: Flooring experts have shared two solutions for removing dirt, debris and algae using common household products.
Indeed, contrary to what one might think, you do not need sophisticated products to clean a terrace without a pressure washer. In fact, one of the most effective patio cleaners is good old dish soap mixed with hot water.
How to clean your patio with dish soap
What you need: Dish soap, hot water, bucket, stiff brush
Pour a small amount of washing up liquid into the bucket and fill it with hot water. Make sure there is enough foam.
Sprinkle a little water in the corners of the terrace and scrub with the brush. Dirt and debris will start to come off. The trick is to scrub diagonally, because “it will be gentler on the joints”, and less joints will be damaged during cleaning.
Repeat the process until the entire deck is covered in liquid and clean. You may need to replace the water bucket if you have a large deck to clean.
Drain dirty water by rinsing it off with a garden hose or sweeping it to a drainage point.
Check the joints between the tiles. If some seams have come off during cleaning, repair the holes.
Let the terrace dry completely, then replace the garden furniture and any pots.
How to clean your patio with white vinegar
Need an eco-friendly, non-toxic, chemical-free deck cleaner? White vinegar can be found in almost every supermarket. White vinegar is great for tough cleaning tasks, so it’s the perfect choice for cleaning a heavily soiled patio or removing grime from high-traffic outdoor areas.
Note, however, that you should not use this method on limestone coatings, as the acid will permanently damage their surface.
What you need: White vinegar, hot water, bucket, stiff brush
In a bucket, mix white vinegar and hot water in a 1:1 ratio. For heavily soiled patio tiles or areas with stubborn stains, add more vinegar to the solution.
Pour the solution onto the deck – you may need several buckets if the area is large – and let the vinegar sit for 30 minutes to an hour.
Clean up the vinegar solution with soapy water.
It is recommended that the deck be cleaned once a year, and a little regular maintenance will help maintain a clean and consistent finish throughout the year. It is also advisable to sweep the patio tiles regularly, especially during the fall months, as this will prevent leaves from building up and potentially discoloring or staining the tiles.