How to Handle Patio Cleaning Without Losing Your Weekend

Why Patio Cleaning's Worth Your Time

If you’ve ever stepped outside to relax and thought, “Yikes, what is that growing in the corner?” — yeah, same.

Patios take a beating. Dirt, leaves, mildew, moss, old spills, rusty furniture marks... it all adds up. Patio cleaning isn’t just about making it look decent again. It keeps the surface safe, less slippery, and helps your outdoor stuff last longer.

Also, let’s be honest — cleaning it once or twice a year beats having to replace slabs or scrub mold off your shoes.

What Kind of Patio Are We Talking About?

Before you start, think about the surface. Each one needs a slightly different touch:

• Concrete: Super tough. You can go harder here.

• Pavers or stone: A bit more delicate. Watch those joints.

• Wood or composite: Basically a deck. Treat it like deck cleaning.

• Tile or smooth stone: Slippery when wet. Be careful.

Knowing what you're working with keeps you from accidentally blasting out grout or roughing up a surface you didn’t mean to.

Tools You’ll Probably Need

Nothing wild, just the basics:

• Broom

• Hose or spray nozzle

• A scrub brush with stiff bristles

• Bucket

• Patio cleaner (store-bought or DIY mix)

• Optional: Pressure washing setup

And maybe a podcast. Scrubbing gets boring fast.

Step-by-Step Patio Cleaning (The Low-Key Way)

1. Clear it off. Furniture, planters, toys, whatever’s in the way.

2. Sweep the whole thing. Get rid of dirt, leaves, and loose stuff.

3. Wet the area. This helps loosen things up and stops cleaners from soaking in too fast.

4. Apply your cleaner. You can buy a patio-specific cleaner or mix water, a bit of dish soap, and vinegar or baking soda.

5. Scrub it down. Go in circles. Use some pressure. This part’s not glamorous.

6. Rinse well. Hose it down. Don’t leave any soapy stuff behind.

That’s it. Let it dry, put everything back, and enjoy not looking at green slime for a while.

Can I Just Pressure Wash It?

Yes... but. Pressure washing works great on most patios, especially concrete. But not all surfaces love that much force.

If you’ve got pavers, keep the nozzle a few feet away. Don’t blow out the sand between them. For stone or tile, use a wider spray and less pressure.

And don’t get carried away. It’s easy to go from “clean” to “accidentally carved your name into the patio.”

Dealing with Moss, Algae, or Stains

This stuff needs a little more attention.

• Moss or algae: Scrub with vinegar or a cleaner made to kill growth. Rinse it well.

• Rust stains: There are specific cleaners for that. Lemon juice and baking soda can help in a pinch.

• Grease or food spills: Dish soap and warm water usually do the trick.

Some people reach for roof soft washing or softwash roof cleaning products here, since they’re made to kill organic buildup. Just double-check that it’s safe for ground surfaces.

How Often Should You Clean Your Patio?

Twice a year is a good goal. Spring to knock off the winter grime, and fall to clear out the summer mess.

If you’ve got a lot of shade or live somewhere humid, you might want to bump that up. Moss grows fast when you’re not looking.

Also, if you’re already deep into exterior house cleaning, it makes sense to do the patio at the same time. Everything gets knocked out in one go.

What About Sealing or Finishing?

You don’t have to, but sealing can help keep dirt and algae from settling in again. It also makes future patio cleaning faster.

If your patio is concrete or stone, sealing every couple of years can help with fading and moisture. Wood? Same rules as deck cleaning — wait for it to dry fully, then seal it if you want to protect it longer.

Other Spots You Might Notice While You’re Out There

Once you start cleaning outside, you’ll see other stuff that needs a little love:

• Siding covered in dirt or spider webs? Sounds like an exterior house cleaning job.

• Roof streaks or moss patches? That’s where roof soft washing comes in.

• Driveway covered in stains? Time for some power washing.

Every surface needs its own approach. Use pressure washing where it makes sense, go softer where needed.

A Few Final Tips

• Don’t clean in full sun. Stuff dries too fast and leaves streaks.

• Test your cleaner on a small spot first

• Wear shoes you don’t care about

• Be patient — the good kind of clean takes a little time

Last Thought

Patio cleaning doesn’t need to be some epic weekend chore. Keep it simple. Do it often enough that grime doesn’t get a chance to move in.