How to Clean Patio Pavers in Your Backyard

When it comes to patio pavers, it’s no surprise that, as time goes on, they can become dirty and dingy. This can affect the overall appearance of your property and may even ruin its beautiful aesthetic. Luckily, there are some things you can do to help get them back to their original beauty. 

In this guide, we will go over some of the best and most effective ways of cleaning your patio pavers. Once you’ve read this guide, you’ll easily learn how to get rid of all of that pesky dirt and make your patio look brand new. You’ll be amazed at just how much difference clean patio pavers can make on the overall appearance of your home. 

What You’ll Need to Clean Your Patio Pavers

Depending on the method of cleaning, you may need to use different products. However, here is a brief overview of what you’re likely to need when cleaning your patio pavers:

• Pressure washer
• Warm water
• Soap
• Hard-bristled brush
• Weedkiller
• Protective gloves
• Bucket
• Hose

You may not need all of these products to clean your patio. For example, we have provided information on cleaning your driveway with or without a pressure washer. Some homeowners with stubborn weed problems on their patio may need to use weed killers whereas others may not. It’s a good idea to take a look at your particular patio and decide which methods will work best for you. 

How to Clean Patio Pavers Using a Pressure Washer

Pressure washing is probably the easiest and most effective way to clean your patio pavers. Below is a list of the steps you’ll need to take if you choose to clean your patio slabs with a pressure washer:

Remove all of the Debris

You will need to start by removing all of the debris from the area. Use a brush to sweep away any loose dirt, twigs, or leaves from the patio area. 

Connect Your Pressure Washer

Next, you will need to connect your pressure washer to your water supply. A pressure washer uses lots of water at high force, so you’ll need a constant supply of water if you want to get the job done well. 

Add Detergent

If you are choosing to use detergent with your pressure washer, you should add this now. Many pressure washers allow you to add detergent into the mix so that it sprays out with the water. Alternatively, you can spray a detergent directly onto the patio and leave it for around ten minutes before starting the pressure wash. 

Switch the Washer to Medium Pressure

Change the setting on your pressure washer to the medium setting. This is the best setting for cleaning your patio as it’s enough pressure to remove all of the dirt but not too much that it might damage the pavers. 

Pressure Wash

Sweep your patio area with the washer from the front to the back and from the left to the right. This way, you’ll certainly cover every single inch of the pavers with consistent coverage. Make sure your pressure washer is set to a wide fan setting and keep your spraying angle at 45-degrees as this will ensure the most effective cleaning. 

Allow Drying Time

Finally, you will need to allow your patio time to dry. Once it’s completely dry, you’ll be able to see just how much difference the power wash has made. 

Cleaning Your Patio Pavers Without a Pressure Washer

If you don’t have a pressure washer to hand, don’t despair! You can achieve a good patio clean without the use of a pressure washer. Below is a guide on how to clean your patio pavers using just soap and water:

Remove All Weeds

You should begin by examining your patio and removing any weeds that may be poking through the cracks and gaps. The way that you do this will depend on the severity of the problem. If it is possible to pull up the weeds by hand, then you should go ahead and do this. Try to remove as much of the root as you can in the process to minimize the chances of it growing back. 

If your weed problem is extreme and too much to pull up by hand, then you should opt for a weed killer. When using weed killer, always ensure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions and keep children and pets away from the area. 

Create Your Soap Mix

You won’t need any special products to create your soapy cleaning solution. A mild soap mixed with warm water will work just fine. However, always be sure to check the soap that you use as some cleaning products can cause damage to pavers. Mix your soapy solution around until you start to see foam forming on the top. 

Pour Mixture

Next, you want to pour some of your soapy mixture onto the surface of the patio. If you are cleaning quite a large area, then you may need to do this in stages. Before you go ahead and start cleaning, be sure to test the mixture on a small inconspicuous area to ensure it doesn’t cause any damage to the patio pavers. 

You will then need to put on protective gloves to protect your hands and start scrubbing the area. Scrub the entire surface of the patio pavers until the entire patio area has been scrubbed. Once you have finished the scrubbing stage, you can then rinse away any soapy residue with clean water. You may need a hose to do this or you can use buckets of water. 

Brush The Area

Following the scrubbing stage, you will then need to brush the area. Get a hard-bristled brush and start brush from one side of the patio to the other. It’s best if you use a long-handled brush to avoid damaging your back while you do this. 

As you start to brush, you’ll notice that the bristles loosen the dirt with ease. Keep brushing until all of the dirt has been loosened. You may have to put in some extra effort on stubborn areas. You should aim to brush your patio regularly to keep dirt away and to help keep the weeds away. 

Rinse The Patio

Once you’ve gone over the entire patio with your brush and loosened all of the stubborn dirt, you will then need to rinse the patio off to reveal the final look. You can do this using a hose or buckets of water. Rinse the entire area until no dirt remains. 

Allow Drying Time

After rinsing, you will then need to leave your patio to dry before you can see the final results. Once it’s fully dry, you’ll be able to see how much of a difference your soapy cleaning efforts have made to the appearance of your home. 

Benefits of Cleaning Your Patio Pavers

There are several benefits to cleaning your patio pavers. Let’s take a look at what they are:

• Prevents mold, mildew, and other harmful growths
• Removes any present stains
• Limits weed growth
• Increases safety
• Improves the appearance of the home
• Gives you something to be proud of

Keeping on top of cleaning your patio pavers will ensure that they remain in the best possible condition at all times. 

Final Thoughts

As you can see, cleaning your patio pavers is actually quite simple – even if you don’t have the luxury of owning a pressure washer. All it takes is a little bit of soapy water and some determination and you’ll have your patio pavers restored to their original pristine condition in no time!