The cheaper way to clean your patio

A grubby patio isn’t just an eyesore – a buildup of moss and algae can become very slippery and poses a bit of a health hazard for you and your family. Thankfully, cleaning it up and getting it back to looking its best isn’t something that has to cost a pretty penny – or take up too much of your time.

What you need

You don’t need a pressure washer or nasty chemicals for a sparkly clean patio.

Simply by using some store cupboard essentials and garden hand tools, your patio setup can look the business from the ground up. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Watering can or garden sprayer
• Garden broom
• Washing up liquid or soda crystals
• Optional: patio sealer

Prep your patio for cleaning

Give your patio a good sweep with a garden broom to get rid of any dirt, dust and debris. Leaves and dirt can be brushed onto your lawn, cleaned up with a garden vacuum, or popped in garden bags to dispose of later.

Weeds have a habit of growing out of the cracks in your patio, so pull these out before you get cleaning. You could use a weed killer, but this takes longer and introduces chemicals to your patio that we’re hoping to avoid.

How to clean your patio with washing up liquid

Who knew that washing up liquid could clean mugs and patios? They don’t include that on the label!

Dish detergent is a brilliant solution for scrubbing your patio, as it cuts through dirt and grime and doesn’t include any chemicals which are harmful to animals or humans. Plus, it’s so easy!

1. Fill your watering can or garden sprayer with hot water and a squirt of washing up liquid
2. Working in sections, pour your soapy solution over your patio slabs and leave for a couple of minutes to soak in
3. Using a stiff-bristled garden broom or hand brush, scrub your patio in various directions to dislodge as much dirt as possible – this is the only bit that’s anything like hard work!
4. Fill your watering can with clean water and rinse your patio. You can use a hose for this too, of course
5. Repeat the process on any parts which need extra attention
6. Wet surfaces can be slippery, especially if you’ve missed any bits with your rinsing, so leave to dry fully before letting the kids or pets out on it
7. To make your patio last longer before the next clean, a patio sealer from Smartseal can be used as a finishing touch!

How easy was that? You can do the exact same thing on your decking – just make sure to follow it up with some wood paint or preserver.

Other ways to dress up your patio

Now your paving stones are nice and clean, you can crack on and create your perfect patio! Here’s some ideas to make it a summertime destination:

Add a pergola

If your garden is a sun trap, a pergola adds some much-needed shade and frames your patio beautifully. Make yours look even better by letting some climbing plants work their way up the side.

Want more ideas like this? Check out our blog on upgrading your garden with a pergola.

Keep it warm

We’ve all been there: you’re sat out enjoying the early evening warmth then, suddenly, the jackets are on and everyone wants to go indoors. Warm up your patio with a classic patio heater or chiminea – they’ll help you enjoy your garden for longer and give it an irresistibly cosy feel.

Give the furniture an upgrade

No matter the size of your patio, there’s garden furniture for you! Pressed for space? A hanging egg chair or bistro set are space-saving solutions for summertime seating. Or, if you’ve got plenty of room, why not splurge on a garden lounge set to seat everyone comfortably?

Don’t forget the furnishings!

Things like cushions, rugs and throws aren’t just for the living room – they can make your patio look beautiful too. All our outdoor furnishings are weather resistant, comfy, and stylish!