How To Clean Concrete Slabs Without A Pressure Washer

This post may incorporate chapter links. If you lot click an affiliate link and brand a purchase, I may earn a commission. Also, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.--

A pressure level washer might seem similar one of those tools that you never really get quality utilize out of, just it can be a highly valuable tool.

Whether you are using it to clean dirty siding, hose down toys for the kids that have been in storage, or spray down dirt that has dried onto the sidewalk, a pressure washer is highly useful.

It can also be used to clean a backyard concrete patio in an effective way. Keeping your patio clean will make information technology more aesthetically pleasing, creating a swell hangout space for y'all, your friends, and your family to relish.

Just a pressure washer is not something that all of us have available. They tin be a flake pricey and yous may not air current up using it plenty to justify the costs.

That leaves yous wondering what to do in instances where you need something deeply cleaned but don't have a pressure washer to get the job done.

Non only that, a pressure washer can really do harm to your home if y'all don't have the skills to properly operate it. It can effect in serious damage such every bit pitting lines or surface degradation if you lot exit the spray in the same place for also long.

There can also exist damage to the mortar that is in betwixt the brick since the joint sand tin be done away.

So, how would you lot get about cleaning a physical patio if you don't take a pressure washer to do the task? There are other means to keep your patio looking fresh and clean without having to invest in a pressure washer.

1 – Getting Rid of Loose Droppings

If the issue is loose dirt and droppings on your concrete patio, the solution is relatively easy: sweep it or spray it away. You should regularly sweep your concrete patio anyway to keep dirt and grime from building up.

You can actually sweep most dirt and debris away as long equally information technology is loose and has non ingratiated itself into the concrete of the patio. Even if information technology has begun to prepare in initially, y'all tin use a hose to get rid of some of that congenital upward clay so long as it hasn't been there for too long.

But so there is the issue of buildup of dirt and grime on your patio. When that happens, in that location are a number of cleaning solutions that can be implemented to get some of that old clay and grime up without putting information technology at risk through the use of a force per unit area washer.

When at that place is a buildup of grime or something such every bit fungal growth, yous can use commercial cleaners to get the task done. Keep in mind that the harsh ingredients in these cleaners may touch how the patio looks, take a negative effect on neighboring plants, or could cause issues if they are breathed in.

Thankfully, there are too alternatives to using those household cleaners that will exist much safer for all involved and better for the surroundings.

2 – Using Vinegar

Vinegar is actually a natural cleaner and is quite safe to use non only on your patio, but throughout your home. All you have to do is mix white vinegar with equal parts water and information technology tin can exist used as a stain remover for different surfaces.

When cleaning a physical patio, you will want to get at heavily soiled areas using something a scrap stiffer, something such as a difficult bristle broom or a scrub brush made for floor, decks, and patios like this 1 on amazon. If the stain is still not coming up after a proficient scrub, y'all will want to spray it with undiluted vinegar and give it around x minutes or so to sit down.

When the vinegar has had a chance to set, you tin can and so scrub it again. This should pull up pretty tough stains with relative ease.

Then you can simply use your hose to spray away both the cleaner and the loose debris created by the scrubbing.

3 – Using Baking Soda

Another natural, environmentally-friendly method of cleaning your concrete patio is to apply baking soda. If yous accept a soiled hardscape, attempt mixing a one-half cup of baking soda or so into about a gallon of water to create your natural cleaning solution.

If you want something a flake stronger, yous can even add in almost an eighth of a cup of liquid dish detergent.

When you have created your concoction, spray it on the stains (or on the entire surface of the patio if you want a full clean) and allow it sit for well-nigh xx minutes. This gives the blistering soda (and detergent) a hazard to break down the dirt and grime.

Finally, requite the patio a skilful scrub. You should meet the grime begin to rise with relative ease.

When yous have successfully scrubbed the area, you tin can and so use the hose to rinse off the area and begin enjoying your freshly cleaned concrete patio once more.

4 – Using Bleach

Using bleach on your physical patio should exist a last resort when dealing with really tough stains or with sticky points of grime. Call back that bleach is an extremely strong and dangerous chemical and it should be kept away from both pets and children for their prophylactic.

You will also desire to take the proper protective measures. Use gloves to go on the bleach from contacting your peel and a mask to avoid having to inhale the fumes.

From there, mix the bleach in with water equally and then put that solution into a spray bottle and so that you lot tin avert a concentration of bleach in a detail area.

When you take put together your bleach mix, spray the solution onto the stained area and give it around 10 minutes or so to sit.

You lot practise not desire to spray a lot because information technology can then begin to flow off of the patio and onto the grass or adjacent flowers. This is very, very bad for those things so avoid doing that.

After the 10 minutes have passed, use a deck brush or something stiffer to scrub the stains off. Considering the bleach solution is powerful, you shouldn't have a hard time getting the stains out. Just make certain that you lot adequately rinse off the area with your hose later on you've gotten those stains out.

Bleach besides has another effective use: getting rid of mold on patio stones or pavers. Your solution tin also be used to kill nearly forms of weeds and fifty-fifty some unwanted plants. Just use it cautiously because bleach can be deadly for plants that you actually desire.

If yous practice use bleach, permit your concrete patio dry out fully before you lot return any objects or furniture back to the space. Dampness really attracts sea weeds such equally green algae and moss, especially for patio stones. Run across my tips on how to remove moss from your patio as well.

If the patio doesn't accept a straight source of sunlight, find a way of getting rid of that moisture because it tin result in unwanted growth and result in even more than cleaning or other work.

You may also find that ammonia tin can clean the patio physical, besides. Of import note: do not, nether whatsoever circumstances, mix bleach and ammonia. Information technology creates fumes that can be extremely dangerous if inhaled, especially in a closed off space.

5 – Using Muriatic Acid

There is something called muriatic acrid that is actually great to go out really tough stains, particularly on surfaces such every bit concrete patios. If you have dried grout or rust, this is a very powerful material that can probable do the job.

Merely as when using bleach, you should use extreme caution as it is a highly toxic chemical. Vesture gloves and protective eyewear when you use it and exist certain to follow whatever manufacturer instructions as well.

But when used the way it is meant to be – and safely – you lot tin can have a very powerful cleaning solution for those tough stains on your physical patio.

6 – Using Trisodium Phosphate (TSP)

TSP is mixed in with water to create an effective cleaning solution. When you take created your solution, but scrub information technology onto the stained expanse with something such equally a nylon brush or a thick bristle brush to create an effective tool for removing tough stains.

From there, go along scrubbing until the stain is fully removed. Afterward that, all that is left is to spray the area with a hose to rinse away all of the loose debris and your cleaning solution. Best of all, you tin can find TSP in nigh home improvement stores for generally like shooting fish in a barrel access.

Cleaning your concrete patio doesn't take to be this difficult endeavor. With the right tools and ingredients, y'all can either purchase or create an effective cleaning solution that will keep your concrete patio looking clean and neat.

When you take a clean patio, information technology makes for an platonic space to hang out whether that is on your own or with friends and family. Never let a dirty, grime-covered infinite ruin the mood once more when a quick scrub tin do the job.