9" Stiff Heavy Duty Long Handled Scrubbing Brush Deck Broom with Wooden Handle PVC Bristles

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Using a brush with stiff bristles, scrub the paving stones to agitate your cleaning solution, applying pressure to any stubborn stains," says Rowan. Be sure to work in manageable-sized sections at a time. Apparently, you don’t need fancy products to clean a patio without a pressure washer, says Simply Paving, who claim that the “most effective patio cleaning products is good old-fashioned washing-up liquid mixed with warm tap water.” So, the method below doesn’t involve any patio cleaner. Washing-up liquid method

A general clean at the start of Spring with a stiff broom and a good detergent followed by the application of a proprietary weed preventative restricts the ingress of weeds between joints which can affect the long-term durability of your patio/driveway After you've scrubbed the stones with your solution, to remove any traces of dirt you can rinse them clean with fresh water. Depending on how ingrained the dirt is or the degree of dirtiness to begin with you may need to repeat the whole cleaning process to get optimum results. Add some extra water to the surface and scrub to loosen the dirt and debris," suggests Colin Lincoln-Evans, buyer at Tile Mountain. "Use a sponge to absorb any excess water, and repeat these steps until you’re happy you’ve cleaned the surface." 6. Rinse and repeat Work with the bristle brush forward. Hold the bristle brush with one hand on the rear handle and the other hand on the front-assist handle.Homemade cleaning solutions are usually just as, if not more effective than store-bought solutions," says Rowan. "This is because you can add as much bleach or vinegar as necessary, meaning you can create a solution that perfectly caters to the needs of your patio.” However, there are those that don't agree with using acid-based cleaning products on certain natural stones, limestone in particular, as this can cause damage. So when looking to use vinegar to clean your paving stones be sure it's suitable and always dilute it first and rinse off immediately after use. We always recommend performing a patch test on a small, inconspicuous area to ensure compatibility with your specific patio material. Is there anything to avoid doing when cleaning your paving slabs? We have advise on how to remove and treat the following stains – moss, algae, rust, grease, oil, paint , tyre marks and more. In addition, you should always make sure to rinse off all cleaning products and to let your stones dry thoroughly after every treatment. Failure to do so could lead to deterioration or damage.”

No scrubbing brush technique is needed, in fact. This is a budget pressure washer solution. Aftercare As an additional preventative measure you can finish cleaning patio slabs by applying a sealant that will help to add a layer of protection against general wear and tear over the coming months. If you use a power washer to clean your patio/driveway, the water jet should be angled at no more than 30° to the paved surface and sprayed diagonal across the joints. Using a power washer that is too powerful (we advise no more than a medium pressure) and not adhering to this advice may mark the surface of some paving materials and break up the jointing material (Re-sand and re-point any damaged joints). Could white vinegar be the most versatile cleaning compound out there? Quite possibly. Found in just about any supermarket, this solution is environmentally friendly, non-toxic and is not full of chemicals. You can use white vinegar instead of the washing-up liquid from the last method.

Claber Whippy Turbo Brush: £33, The Greenhouse People

The best homemade patio cleaner is a solution made by diluting white vinegar and warm water. “After your pre-stain paving solution has soaked into the stones, you can create an effective yet cheap cleaning solution by mixing vinegar and water in a 50/50 ratio," suggests Rowan. From cleaning windows and cleaning grout to deodorizing drains, white vinegar is the best natural ingredient to avoid using harsh cleaning chemicals around the house.