You can make your home patio appear “spotless” by using a straightforward method with just two household ingredients, it has been claimed. While it’s potentially a tough and time-consuming task, preparing your patio for summer needn’t be expensive or damaging to the environment, according to DIY expert Fix it with Fowler.
He claimed that his “eco-friendly” technique will deliver “spotless” results without relying on “harsh chemicals” that could prove hazardous for your pets or even necessitate a power washer.
Indeed, his approach requires two items that you quite possibly have “under your kitchen sink”, one of which is available from Aldi for merely 62p. He outlined the process in a video for his YouTube channel.
The expert said: “Have you got a dirty patio like this? Well, today on Fix It With Fowler, I’m going to show you how to clean it without using any harmful chemicals, especially for the environment, and even for your pets. And the best thing is you don’t even need a jet wash.
“There are loads of different chemical-based cleaning products that you can use to clean your patio. And although these are really good at cleaning your patio, they can be quite bad for the environment, wildlife, and even your pets.”
“And in most cases, you need to keep your pets away until the area is dry or, in some worst cases, for up to two days. And that just is not possible for us, so I’ve come up with a nice eco-friendly alternative that I’m going to try and clean the patio with.”
Step 1 – Remove any weeds
He explained that the method isn’t “damaging” to plants, so weeds will need to be cleared before you begin. For this task, the expert used a trowel to scrape them away from the tiles.
Step 2 – Sweep and hose down the patio
Next, use a stiff brush to sweep the area and eliminate any “loose debris”. You can then wet the surface using a “quick and convenient” garden hose.
Step 3 – Apply your ingredients
He said: “So the next stage is to apply some sodium carbonate, and I’ve got this soda crystals, which is sodium carbonate, readily available. And if you’re lucky, you might have some under your kitchen sink.”
The expert explained that you simply need to give the patio a “light sprinkle”, making sure you cover the entire surface. Then add a “little bit of washing up liquid”.
For his patio, the expert used Dri-Pak Soda Crystals, which are available online for £3.29 (1kg), though other varieties are also available.
Step 4 – Scrub the area
Next, scrub the patio thoroughly using a stiff brush, starting at one end of the tiles and working “your way around”. He described this step as the “hardest part” and recommended paying attention to any particularly “bad” sections.
Once finished, simply leave it for 48 hours to do the rest.
Step 5 – Rinse
Once 48 hours had passed, the expert headed back to the patio, where a noticeable transformation was already evident. He noted that rainfall had already shifted some of the residue, but he would clear the remainder with a hose before leaving it to dry completely.
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