As the summer season unfolds, you might find that certain areas of your garden demand extra attention. One spot that can become particularly untidy is the garden patio, often due to the growth of weeds and moss especially if it’s tucked away in shaded parts of your yard.
But before you dash out to buy a high-pressure washer, consider reaching into your kitchen cupboard for an alternative solution. Cleaning experts swear you can make your patio gleam using a surprisingly simple and economical household item. Lucy Steele from Vaspar Paint, who specialises in paint applications, recommends an all too familiar product for revamping your patio – white vinegar.
This common home staple isn’t just a versatile cleaner indoors; it works wonders outdoors as well.
She explained: “White vinegar is not only effective in cleaning patios and removing any stains, but it can also kill weeds in between paving stones too.”
How to clean your patio
If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to revitalise your patio, removing moss and weeds at the same time, then white vinegar is the answer.
Just create a mix of equal parts white vinegar and water, then apply it across your patio and leave it to work its magic for around half an hour.
Once the time is up, give the area a good scrubbing with a stiff brush and rinse thoroughly with water. For stubborn grime or tougher stains, simply repeat the process. Your patio will be left looking impeccably clean and rejuvenated.
This guidance was echoed by the professionals at BBC Gardener’s World, who suggested trialling the cleaning solution on a small patch of your patio before treating the whole area to prevent any potential harm.
However, caution is advised if you’re using white vinegar for patio cleaning. It can be harmful or corrosive to nearby plants, so ensure to protect plants from vinegar splashes and thoroughly rinse the patio once done to eliminate any residue.
To make sure you don’t experience any extreme dirt or weed build-up, regular maintenance is also advised. Sweeping with a stiff-bristled garden brush helps to banish any leaves and debris, which can rot and become embedded in the stones, which is very hard to remove.
You should also hose down patios with a jet of water from a hosepipe now and then, which will dislodge loose dirt before it sinks in.