Just as you regularly clean and vacuum your floors inside, your patio requires the same love and care. While cleaning the porch sounds like a daunting task, neglecting your outside living space will only lead to more messes and money spent down the road.
Not sure where to start? Whether it’s stone, concrete or wood, here are the best ways to clean your patio.
Sweep it up
The first order of business is to declutter your patio. Remove all furniture, toys and grilling equipment from the space in order to get a thorough cleaning.
Once the area has been cleared, use an outside broom or brush with wire bristles to sweep away unwanted dirt and debris. While it’s best to sweep your patio frequently, a weekly sweep session will work wonders on your outside living area.
Sweeping is especially important if you have stone or pavers as your patio’s surface. Each time you sweep, you’ll dislodge unwanted weeds that may be growing between the stones. In return, your patio will maintain a pristine appearance.
Scrub with all natural cleaner
If your patio is especially dirty, it’s important to follow up with an in-depth scrubbing session. While cleaning solutions such as bleach and dish soap are commonly used to remove mildewed surfaces, eco-friendly cleaners made with ingredients straight from your kitchen will get the job done.
Believe it or not, vinegar is a go-to natural cleaner and will work wonders on your patio. To make your own all natural cleaner, mix equal parts water, baking soda and vinegar into a bucket to remove stubborn stains from your porch. Using a soft nylon brush, cover dark spots with the paste and let it sit for 30 minutes. Once the time is up, scrub until you see the grime remove itself from the surface of your patio.
Seal your patio
Concrete patios can be especially difficult to clean and maintain. While regular sweeping and a hose down will do the trick to wash away sand and loose dirt from your outdoor living space, applying a seal to the surface can eliminate messes.
The purpose of a seal is to protect the condition of your concrete patio. Over time, grime and stains build up to give your surface a less than stellar appearance. The seal will help ease away unwanted stains, dirt and grime that build up over time. Applying a seal to your patio does take work, but in the long run, it’s one of the best ways to keep your patio clean.
Stay committed for consistent results
It’s important to keep in mind that there are many different ways to clean your patio. However, rather than spending money to buy or rent a power washer, you can achieve great results with eco- and wallet-friendly practices.
Much like a relationship, cleaning your patio takes consistent work and effort in order to shine. Don’t be fooled with over-commercialized products and tools to maintain the look of your patio. Simply sweep and scrub your patio on a regular basis. By doing so, you’ll ensure that nothing will come between you and your relaxing mornings out on the patio.
