Top Patio Cleaning Methods
This spell of dry weather is great for patio cleaning to rid your footpaths of moss and algae, so that once autumn arrives, the paved areas around your property don’t become an ice rink at the slightest suggestion of rain.
There are a number of different ways you can clean your patio, so let’s take a look at the most popular approaches and the pros and cons that come with them.
Supermarket patio cleaning fluids
In recent years the market has become swamped with different types of chemical patio cleaners. Some with abrasive particles, some without. Some that are biodegradable, some that aren’t.
Whilst they promise an easy patio cleaning solution, are they all they’re cracked up to be?
Pros of professional patio cleaning fluids
✓ They generally offer a very effective solution.
✓ Some offer a pour on, wash off, no scrub solution to moss and algae.
✓ Biodegradable options alleviate your guilt about impacting the environment.
Cons of professional patio cleaning fluids
✕ They can be extremely costly, with a bottle starting at around £11, and often more than one bottle being required to evenly coat your patio.
✕ Some have a strong chemical smell.
✕ Active chemicals can react with your slabs causing damage or discolouration.
✕ Some also contain abrasive substances that can scratch more delicate patio stones or decking.
Patio cleaning with a pressure washer
With pressure washers being available from about £70 in the shops these days, pressure washing patios is the trendy approach for any discerning home owner.
It can deliver a good clean too, but not without its challenges.
Pros of patio cleaning with a pressure washer
✓ It uses pressurised water so no need for nasty chemicals.
✓ It’s relatively quick and doesn’t demand a lot of elbow grease.
Cons of patio cleaning with a pressure washer
✕ The pressurising unit can be very noisy, making prolonged use a challenge.
✕ It can kick up lots of dirt – so don’t do this after you’ve cleaned the windows!
✕ Extensive areas can take persistence to achieve an even clean.
✕ Failure to use the right attachments can damage brickwork and patios.
Cleaning your patio with a bleach scrub
A bleach scrub and a wire brush have been the traditional home owner’s ammunition in the war against slippery, green paving slabs. However, as we become more environmentally conscious, the idea of pouring bleach all over our garden areas isn’t so appealing.
Pros of using a bleach scrub to clean your patio
✓ It works.
✓ It’s extremely cost effective.
✓ It’s tried and tested.
Cons of using a bleach scrub to clean your patio
✕ It’s extremely labour-intensive as the scrub has to be mixed, carried, put down and then scrubbed into the area using a wire brush to remove the moss and algae.
✕ It’s back-breaking work as it often means hours bent over a long-handled broom or on your knees.
✕ As you’re using bleach, you need to be mindful of children and pets and ensure that they don’t get caught up in tidal wave of bleach and water.
✕ Bleach can also discolour more sensitive stones and wood.
Of course, you could always call in the professionals and get all the pros without the cons.
At Rainbow International we have teams that deal with patio cleaning all year ‘round. They know how to remove unsightly stains and spills, as well as having the right equipment to make light work of moss and algae removal on small areas, extensive paving or concrete areas.
They don’t leave a mess, and they are trained to identify the best cleaning solution for your type of patio surface, removing the risk posed with many chemical patio cleaning solutions.
It also means you don’t have the initial outlay in buying pressure washers and you don’t have the storage challenge the other 364 days of the year.
At Rainbow we have over 60 branches across the UK, so there’s bound to be a branch near you. To book your patio cleaning today, call 01623 422 488 or visit our website.