If your patio is anything like mine post-winter, it can feel like a losing battle against grime, moss and those relentless weeds that seem to appear overnight in cracks.
After a few years of testing tools and tweaking my routine, I’ve picked up plenty of tips on how to get remove weeds from a patio and how to clean a patio, but what I’ve really come to realise is that people with consistently spotless patios don’t just clean more. They’re actually armed with the right kit from the get-go.
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1. A fast and effective patio cleaner
A spotless patio always starts with a proper clean, and you can do it without a pressure washer as water alone usually won’t cut it. A good patio cleaner will help break down built-up dirt, algae and black spots that settle over winter.
Look for formulas designed for your surface (especially if you’ve got limestone or sandstone in particular) and ideally one that doesn’t require hours of scrubbing! I’ve used Patio Magic, from £9.97 at Amazon, in the past, and it did such a good job, with no pressure washing and extra cleaning required.
Ideal Home’s gardens editor, Sophie, has more game-changing patio cleaner recommendations. ‘For fast results, my mum and I absolutely love the Monty Miracle Complete Outdoor Cleaner, £29.99 at Amazon. It gets to work in just 10 minutes, removing black spots, algae and dirt, and you don’t even need a pressure washer! You’ll just need to make sure children and pets are kept away from the cleaner before it’s rinsed away.’ Plus, it’s suitable for most surfaces, including natural surfaces like Indian sandstone.
She also tested Wet & Forget Mould, Lichen & Algae Remover, which is currently £14.99 on Amazon, and loved its long-lasting results.
Shop our favourite patio cleaners
Monty Miracle
Outdoor Cleaner, 5 Litre
Patio Magic!
2.5L concentrate
Wet & Forget
Mould, Lichen & Algae Remover, Outdoor Patio Cleaner, 2l
2. A powerful pressure washer
I’ve tested a fair few of the best pressure washers in my time at Ideal Home, and I can attest that there’s a reason why they are a staple for anyone serious about outdoor cleaning. They blast away grime in minutes and can completely transform tired-looking slabs. And they pair really well with patio cleaners, explains Sophie.
‘If you have a good patio cleaner on-side, there’s next to nothing you can’t tackle – algae, grime, the lot. A lot of patio cleaners can be paired with pressure washers to banish tougher stains, too. It’s just a case of researching the best machine for the task at hand and the size of your patio (corded or cordless, for example).’
I’ve found that investing in a reliable model, like our best pressure washer, Karcher K4 Full Control Home pressure washer, £239.99 at ManoMano, means you’re far more likely to actually use it, especially when it makes such a visible difference so quickly. Bonus points if it comes with an app or adjustable settings so you don’t damage more delicate paving.
Rossi Salvatore, Senior Product Manager at Karcher, concurs that, ‘Powerful high-pressure machines quickly lift and rinse away stubborn grime, delivering a deep clean across large outdoor areas in a fraction of the time of traditional methods.’
Shop our favourite pressure washers
Karcher K4 Full Control Home Pressure Washer
Nilfisk Excellent 160-10 PA Pressure Washer
Karcher K7 Premium Smart Control
3. An easy-to-use weed removal tool
Weeds are the fastest way to ruin an otherwise spotless patio, but tackling them early in spring keeps things manageable, and we’ve been doing just that in our outdoor space.
The key is having a tool that makes the job quick and not back-breaking. Slimline weeders like this electric weed sweeper from QVC, which our freelancer writer, Lisa, tested, are perfect for making light work of an otherwise annoying job.
While crevice tools, like the set I tested and loved (the WORKPRO weed remover tool, £13.99 at Amazon), are ideal for getting right into the gaps between slabs and pulling weeds out at the root. The easier it is, the more likely you’ll stay on top of it, and that’s exactly what keeps patios looking pristine.
You can also pick up manual long-handled weed brushes like the one our gardens editor has (Newman & Cole weed and moss remover brush, £9.97 at Amazon), which sweeps away dirt and grime while also tackling those stubborn weeds while it’s at it.
Our favourite patio weeding tools
Newman and Cole
Weed Brush Long Handle
Thompson & Morgan
Weed Sweeper & Extra Brushes
4. An outdoor broom
This might sound basic, but one of the most underrated tools for keeping your patio looking just so. A good outdoor broom is what keeps a patio looking clean between deep cleans, explains John Pearce, Director at Oltco.
‘One of the simplest but most effective habits for keeping a patio spotless and weed-free is regular sweeping,’ says John. ‘Clearing away leaves, dirt and organic debris prevents seeds from settling and creating the conditions where weeds can grow. A quick sweep once or twice a week during spring and summer can make a noticeable difference.’
Sweeping little and often is what’s required, and it doesn’t take that much time to do. And Isabel Fernandez, Director at Quorn Stone, says this is best done when it’s dry to avoid sweeping wet mud and dirt across your tiles and into grout joints.
‘When brushing, avoid using a broom with hard bristles, particularly with natural stone pavers,’ she adds. ‘Opt for a soft brush instead.’ This twin-pack of soft and stiff outdoor brushes is the ideal combination to have to hand, £14.79, Amazon.
Shop these outdoor brooms
Mitclear
18in Garden Broom Outdoor Heavy Duty With Long Handle
Charles Bentley
2-in-1 Outdoor Broom with Metal Scraper
5. A weed prevention strategy
It’s not just about removing weeds but also stopping them from coming back. Once you’ve cleared them in spring, it’s worth topping up joints with sand or a specialist compound that helps block light and space for weeds to grow. It’s a small step, but it makes a huge difference in keeping your patio weed-free for longer.
Mike Bekin, construction and home improvement expert and Managing Director at Ecochoice, suggests starting with the joints because that’s where weeds anchor.
‘After winter, joints often sit low because sand has washed out or been pulled out during cleaning. Topping them up so they are properly packed and level with the surface cuts out the crevices that collect silt and moisture,’ he explains.
‘For many installations, kiln-dried sand (The Glowhouse kiln-dried, brush in joint sand is a great buy, £14.49 at Amazon) is the straightforward option, while polymeric jointing products (like Dansand No Grow ready mixed, £30.99 from Amazon) can set firmer and reduce ongoing wash-out in exposed areas.’
Shop weed-fighting grout
Dansand
No Grow Easy Fix Polymeric Ready Mixed Paving Sand Compound (beige)
PENTAUSA
Patio Grout – Ready Mixed Paver Grout (400g)
The Glowhouse
Kiln Dried Sand Brushing in Joint Gap Filling, 20kg
6. A protective patio sealant
If you want that just-cleaned look to last, a patio sealant is the finishing touch many people overlook. When we got our patio laid, we got it sealed, and I honestly think it’s made keeping it clean way easier.
Although not essential, sealing a patio can help extend the lifespan of your patio and keep it looking new as it creates a protective barrier against weather, structural damage and weed growth and can also revive the colour of older paving, explains Alex Peters, a Checkatrade cost guide expert.
On natural stone such as limestone or sandstone, an impregnating sealer (this Siramico Coatings natural stone sealer, £42.49 from Amazon is a good choice) that sits within the pore structure helps reduce water uptake and staining without changing the character of the surface too much, adds Mike.
‘For porcelain, sealing is often less about the face of the tile and more about helping keep joints cleaner and easier to maintain, so choose a product that is compatible with the tile and grout system,’ he explains.
‘Sealant should only be applied to a clean patio that is in good structural condition, so it’s important to have it assessed by a specialist beforehand. Applying sealant to a patio with cracks or other faults may reduce its effectiveness and lead to the requirement of additional work later on,’ adds Alex.
For best results, Alex advises that it’s advisable to hire a skilled trade professional who can recommend the most suitable solution for your patio’s material and condition. However, if you would prefer to DIY, these sealant options get great reviews online.
Shop these patio sealants
Sika
Everbuild High-Performance Path and Patio Seal – Solvent-Free – Clear – 5 Litre
Pro-Kleen
PatioSeal Matt Patio Sealer/sealant for Indian Sandstone, Indoor/outdoor Hard Floor(5 Litres)
SIRAMICO COATINGS
Natural Stone Sealer I 5 Litres I Breathable Patio Sealer for Sandstone, Limestone, Granite, Slate & Concrete
So there you have it. Spotless patios aren’t about constant hard work but more about having the right tools and doing a little maintenance often.
With these essentials in your patio cleaning arsenal, keeping your outdoor space clean and weed-free becomes less of a chore! Hopefully, you’ll be left with a fresh, polished base to include a few winning patio decor ideas for garden parties this summer.
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