CLEAN YOUR PATIO AFTER WINTER

With spring just around the corner, we’re starting to think about summer BBQs, lazy alfresco brunches and long evenings spent in the garden. It also means it’s time to make sure your patio is in tip top shape so you’ll really be able to enjoy all the sunshine we’re going to get this summer!

After winter, your patio and paved areas are likely looking a bit worse for wear. Weeds and moss love all that damp horrible weather, and will probably have left your garden looking a bit drab.

Not to worry, because just a little bit of elbow grease will leave your patio and paved areas spick and span and ready for visitors.

A GOOD SCRUB

First, declutter your patio and do a sweep so that the paving area is clear. Then, simply fill a bucket with warm water and mix in one cup of washing up liquid, soap or soda crystals. Pour the soapy water across the affected area – don’t be afraid to be generous - and begin scrubbing.

You can use a broom or a brush with stiff bristles to scrub the area clean – a brush will allow you to focus on more stubborn areas. Once you feel you’ve done a decent job, rinse away the dirty water and soapy residue with either a pressure washer on a low power setting or a hose. Leave the patio overnight and reassess the area the following day – this will help you spot any areas you might have missed.

If you’re looking for a stronger patio cleaning solution, you can always use bleach. However, be wary of using it on softer stone and around your plants, as the strong alkaline base of typical household bleach can do damage to both.

For any greasy spots near the barbeque, apply a little degreaser. You can even make a natural degreaser with some baking soda, lemon and warm water.

You can also use Patio and Deck Cleaner  – visit our website for different options and how to use.

GET WEEDING

You’ll probably find that some weeds have properly taken root in between your paving stones over winter. The best way to take care of those is simply to pull them out, taking care to get as much of the root as you possibly can. A small trowel or special paving weeding tool will help.

Pouring boiling water straight from the kettle over your patio will help to eliminate really stubborn weeds or those you can’t reach, or sprinkle some cheap salt and leave it for a day or two.

If you had any real monsters growing between the slabs, removing them might disturb the joint, so you’ll need to repair it with any suitable mortar mix.

KEEP ON TOP OF IT

After all your hard work, you’ll want to be able to enjoy your patio and paved areas for the rest of the summer, so make sure you give them a good brush every few weeks. Getting rid of debris and stopping seeds from taking root in the first place is the best way to keep your garden looking wonderful.