Block paving and driveways can take up a large portion of your property’s exterior. Cleaning these areas can make a huge difference in the visual aesthetics of your property. Plus, cleaning can also help to keep these spaces in top condition and may prevent issues later down the line – especially when it comes to removing weeds and moss. 

 

There are many methods that can be used to clean your driveway or patio. We have created this guide on the best ways to clean your driveway and patio. Take a look at the list below to determine which method would work best for you. 

 

Clean With a Pressure Washer

 

Follow the steps below to clean your patio or driveway with a pressure washer:

  • Remove The Debris – You should begin by removing all of the debris from the space. Use a stiff brush to brush away any loose dirt, leaves, or twigs from the patio or driveway area. 
    1. Connect The Pressure Washer – Next, you’ll need to connect the pressure washer to your home’s water supply. A pressure washer will use a lot of water at a very high force, so you will need a constant supply of water to get the job done properly. 
  • Add Some Detergent – If you are using detergent with the pressure washer, add this now. Most pressure washers will allow you to add detergent, which sprays out with the water. If your pressure washer doesn’t have this option, you can spray a detergent directly onto the patio and leave it to stand for around ten minutes before proceeding. 
  • Choose a Medium Pressure – Change the settings on your pressure washer so that it’s on the medium setting. This is the optimum setting for cleaning your patio or driveway as it’s enough pressure to remove all of the dirt but not too much pressure that it might cause damage. 
  • Wash The Driveway or Patio – Sweep the patio area with your pressure washer from front to back and from left to right. This will ensure you cover every inch of the space. Make sure the pressure washer is set to the wide fan setting, and keep the spraying angle at 45 degrees to achieve the most effective cleaning. 
  • Allow Drying Time – Finally, you’ll need to give your driveway or patio time to dry. Once dried completely, you will then be able to see just how much difference your power wash has made. 

 

Clean With a Soapy Water Solution

 

Below is a guide on cleaning your patio slabs without a pressure washer:

  • Remove Weeds – Start by examining the driveway or patio and removing any weeds that you see poking through cracks and gaps. The way to do this will depend on how severe the problem is. If you can pull up the weeds by hand, this is the best option. Remove as much of the root possible in the process to minimise any chances of it coming back. If the weed problem is quite extreme, then you should use a weed killer. Always ensure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using weed killers and keep pets and children away from the area. 
  • Make The Soap Mix- There are no special products required to create the soapy cleaning solution. Use a mild soap with warm water. Just make sure you check the soap that you use, as some soaps could cause damage to the pavers. Mix the soapy solution together until you start to see a foam form on the top. 
  • Pour The Mixture – Next, pour some of the mixture onto the surface of the driveway or patio. If you’re cleaning a large area, you may need to do it in stages. Before starting the cleaning, test the mixture on a small, inconspicuous area to make sure it doesn’t cause damage to the patio. You’ll then need to put protective gloves on to protect your hands and begin scrubbing the area. Scrub the entire surface of the paving until the entire area has been scrubbed. Once you’ve finished scrubbing, rinse away the remaining soapy residue with clean water. You can do this with buckets of water or a hose. Direct the water towards a drainage point. 
  • Brush The Space – After the scrubbing stage, you’ll then need to brush the area. Get a hard-bristled brush and start brushing the patio from one side to the other. It’s best if you use a brush with a long handle to avoid damaging your back in the process. When brushing, you’ll notice the bristles loosen dirt with ease. Keep brushing your patio until all the dirt is loose. You may have to brush harder on stubborn areas. Brush your patio regularly to keep dirt and weeds away. 
  • Rinse The Patio – After you’ve gone over the entire driveway or patio with the brush and loosened all the stubborn dirt, you’ll then have to rinse the patio to reveal the final look. You can do this with a hose or buckets of water. 
  • Allow Drying Time – After you’ve rinsed the area, leave your patio to dry completely before seeing the final results. 

 

Get Rid of Moss

 

There are several methods that work for removing moss from a patio or driveway. Take a look at the list below for some of the best ways to get rid of moss:

 

Removing Moss With Baking Soda

 

Baking soda works very well on moss. However, this method works best on dry days. Sprinkle the baking soda over the mossy area and leave it to do its thing overnight. Then, sweep everything away the next day. 

 

Removing Moss With a Pressure Washer

 

Pressure washers are great for removing moss. Spray the affected areas with high-pressure water using a pressure washer. This is a great way to blast away all of the moss and clean your paving. 

 

Remove Moss With Boiling Water

 

Carefully pour boiling water over the mossy area, being sure to cover every part of it. Then, scrub the affected area using a stiff brush. Once the moss is loose, you can then use a hose to wash away the debris. 

 

Remove Stubborn Moss Marks With Vinegar and Water

 

If you have stubborn moss marks on your paving, consider using water and vinegar to remove them. Create a mixture consisting of one part white vinegar and one part water. Place this mixture in a spray bottle so you can easily apply the mixture over the entire area. Spray the mixture over the affected area and leave it to sit there. Then, scrub the space with a stiff brush before hosing it off. 

 

Clean With White Vinegar

 

White vinegar also works wonders for cleaning your driveway or patio. Below is a guide on how to clean your patio or driveway with white vinegar:

  • Create Your Mixture – Grab a bucket and mix together a solution of one part water and one part white vinegar. If your patio is particularly dirty or features some stubborn stains, you may need to use a solution with slightly more vinegar than water. 
  • Pour The Solution – Pour the water and vinegar solution over the entire patio or driveway. You may need to use several buckets to cover the entire surface of the driveway or patio. Leave the vinegar and water solution to do its thing for around 30 minutes or more. 
  • Clear The Solution Away – Use some buckets of clean water to rinse the vinegar solution from the surface of your driveway. Simply pour the buckets of clean water over your driveway. Make sure to direct it to a drainage point. 
  • Allow Drying Time – Finally, leave your driveway or patio to dry naturally. 

 

Use Block Paving Cleaner

 

You can purchase block paving cleaners that are specifically designed for taking on this challenge. You must make sure your block paving is free from debris, weeds, and moss before using a block paving cleaner. 

 

All block paving cleaners will require a different method. You should make sure to follow the instructions that are provided on the cleaner that you choose. 

 

Hire a Professional Cleaning Service. 

 

If you want to get the best results when cleaning your driveway or patio, you should hire professionals to complete the work for you. Professionals will have all of the tools and products needed to get your driveway or patio looking as good as new. 

 

Cleaning driveways and cleaning block paving costs can vary, mostly depending on the size of your driveway. However, it’s an investment that will really pay off as professional driveway cleaning can improve your home’s kerb appeal significantly.