Gardening tips: How to remove moss on drives and patios
If your patio is looking duller than usual, or you notice a grease or paint stain, it is best to give it a thorough clean to keep it looking its best. While many may argue that a pressure washer is the most effective method, experts at Checkatrade have said it is possible to clean patio slabs using DIY methods, including washing up liquid.
The experts explained: “Maybe you’ve been repairing a bike, or grease from your BBQ has split on your patio. How can you clean grease off your patio slabs?
“Similar to paint, grease can be harmful to plants and animals and can be dangerous if not cleaned up safely.
“Depending on the severity and quality of the grease spillage or stain, and the type of patio surface, it may be best to get in touch with a professional patio cleaner.
“For small drips and spills that are fresh you can attempt this DIY method to clean grease off patio slabs.”
Firstly, lightly dab the stain with a clean cloth or some paper towels, taking care not to rub the stain as it could make it worse.
Next, apply some washing up liquid or laundry detergent to the stain and allow it to sit for around 20 to 30 minutes to let it work.
The experts then recommended scrubbing the stain and patio with a nylon bristle brush along with some hot water.
They added: “You can also make a paste with soda crystals and detergent, two tablespoons of white vinegar and two cups of water.
Don’t miss…
Methods to easily ‘deter’ squirrels from your garden [COMMENT]
Spring-flowering plants to give your garden a ‘cheerful display’ now [EXPLAINER]
Gardening expert shares what to prune in April [INSIGHT]
“This will make a paste that you can scoop onto the patio and brush with a nylon bristled brush.”
Black spots may also appear on paving slabs, and this is actually extremely common and quite easy to get rid of. According to the experts, the black spots are actually caused by moss or algae.
The pros continued: “There are specialist patio and mould cleaners that you can buy that have ingredients that prevent mould regrowth.
“These should always be used with caution as the run off onto the grass or planted areas will likely cause damage. It’s also vital to keep pets and children away from any area that is being treated, during the treatment and for a day or so after.
“If you’re not sure how best to remove black spots from your patio slabs then a professional will certainly be able to help you.”
Paving specialist and founding director of Infinite Paving, Rowan Cripps, advised against using any products which contain bleach on the patio.
This is because it could potentially discolour and ruin the patio slabs, and cause damage to surrounding grass or plants.
According to the expert, not cleaning marks immediately is a “common” mistake made by people with their paving stones.
If you don’t act quickly, stains and spillages could leave a permanent mark, which could be unsightly.
It’s important to do this job on a day when rain or snow isn’t forecasted to ensure the water doesn’t run away.
Rowan continued: “Some stones can be extremely delicate, while other types of paving can be extremely robust.
“Each one has different maintenance requirements, and if not cleaned correctly, can be damaged.
“Always research the paving stone that you have and put together a tailored maintenance plan to ensure that you are treating your patio in the way in which it needs to be treated.”
Source: Read Full Article