Patios become grimy due to weather elements like rain, wind and seasonal changes, resulting in unsightly green algae, moss, and dirt accumulation that also make surfaces slippery. While there are many ways to clean a patio, including using a pressure washer, lifestyle reporter Sophie Harris opted to use white vinegar, a household staple already in her cupboard.
She said: "The 30p product worked incredibly well, and I wish I had used it sooner. I started cleaning my patio by sweeping away any debris with a brush to make sure the surface was clean.
"Once the debris was cleared, I placed white vinegar and warm water into a bucket in a 1:1 ratio."
This nifty trick, endorsed by the pros at StovesAreUs, is especially effective against tough stains, reports the Express. The professionals recommended: "To use this solution, pour it over the stubborn stains and leave them for about an hour or so.
"Then, use a hard-bristled brush with warm, soapy water to remove them." Following their guidance to the letter, Sophie was amazed to find the white vinegar alone eliminated the grime so effectively that the hard-bristled brush was unnecessary.
She said: "I picked the white vinegar up from Tesco, and it cost around 30p, but I didn’t need to use the whole bottle on my patio. It required little to no scrubbing, and I was so surprised at the colour of my patio after; it looked brand new.
"I thought I might need to go over the patio again due to the slates having grooves in them, but the vinegar targeted them well with little to no marks remaining."
However, it's crucial to check your patio material as white vinegar is acidic and could potentially damage certain materials.
Additionally, if you have any weeds on your patio, this homemade solution can also assist in eliminating them. If you're seeking a quick method to remove stains and algae from your patio, a pressure washer might be your best bet.
