A Quick Guide To Patio Cleaning

A great-looking patio can be a relaxing addition to your home, but like any other exterior surface, patios can get pretty messy from exposure. If you're thinking about tackling a messy patio soon, here's a quick guide to patio cleaning to help you get started!

Preparation Comes First

You don't want to work around a lot of obstacles when you're cleaning a patio, so start by removing all objects on its surface: furniture, potted plants, decorations, etc. Once you've done that, give it a good sweep to remove as much dust and debris as you can before really getting into cleaning.

Cleaning Techniques

While pressure washing is a great patio cleaning technique, not all patio material manufacturers recommend it, and not everyone is comfortable doing it. We'll discuss another alternative first, and then go over some basic pressure washing tips afterwards.

The Soapy Scrub

If your patio isn't heavily stained, you may just be able to clean it up with a good scrub. Mix either a tablespoon of dish soap to two parts hot water or create a solution with a biodegradable all-purpose cleaner and hot water (the ideal ratio depends on the recommendations from the cleaner's manufacturer). Pour your chosen solution over the patio, use a stiff brush to scrub away any mess, and then thoroughly rinse the suds!

Stain Removing Via The Scrubbing Method

You may have set-in stains that require a little more than soap to get rid of. Some people use a bleach mixture (about 1/3 of a cup of bleach to 1 gallon of water) to treat stains on concrete patios and pavers for about ten minutes before scrubbing and rinsing. However, bleach can be harsh on a lot of surfaces, and a lot of people are wary of using it.

A safer and more eco-friendly method is using a 1:1 solution of white vinegar and hot water and treating stains with it for about half an hour. After the time has elapsed, just scrub and rinse!

Pressure Washing

If you've got heavy or really old stains, pressure washing may be used. Pressure washing is incredibly intense, though, so be careful. Start on the lowest pressure setting possible and only go up as needed. Use a nozzle that fans the spray out (a 25-degree setting is recommended) so the pressure isn't concentrated all in one place.

Not all surfaces react well to pressure washing, so always test it out on an inconspicuous area first. If cleaning a wooden surface, always clean along the grain, never against it. This reduces the likelihood of damage.

Professionals For Perfect Patio Cleaning

If you don't have the spare time or energy to invest in patio cleaning, or you're unfamiliar with using a pressure washer, consider outsourcing your patio cleaning to a professional. Let's Geaux's expert technicians use both soft washing and pressure washing techniques to create perfect, spotless outdoor spaces for your family to enjoy! If you're interested in getting a free quote for our patio cleaning service, give Let's Geaux Pressure Washing and Lawncare a call at 504-559-5523!