Cleaning your brick patio doesn’t have to be an all-day job. You can get the area clean and clear quickly and efficiently in multiple ways.
Three ways to clean a brick patio include buying or renting a power washer, scrubbing it with a brush and cleaning solution, or soaking it with a bleach mixture.
All of the ideas listed below are great options, proven to give your patio a deep clean that will make it look as good as the day it was first installed.
Power Washer
If you don’t own a power washer, no worries, you can easily rent one from your local home improvement store. These machines are perfect for riding your brick patio of dirt, mold, mildew, and stuck-on mess that isn’t so easy to get off.
What you need:
- Power washer
- Gloves
- Safety glasses
- Soap or detergent (if desired)
Step 1: Set up the Machine
You can choose from an electric or gas-powered power washer. If you are using electric, be careful when spraying near the cords.
To assemble the pressure washer, connect your hose to the water source connector on the machine. Make sure it’s tightly attached, then choose the best nozzle for the job.
Step 2: Test the Water Pressure
Test the water pressure by using the least powerful attachment nozzle first on a small area of the patio. If that doesn’t seem to do the trick, go to the next option to find the best fit.
Step 3:Spray down the patio
You can spray your brick patio clean simply using water. You can also mix water with detergent and pour it onto the patio to give it a deeper clean or to kill bacteria and mold.
For tough stains, spray the detergent mix and let it sit for about ten minutes so it can soak into the dirt and grim, breaking it down and making it easier to remove.
When ready, spray your patio in even lines from the house outwards towards the edge of the porch, letting the dirty water run off the sides.
Step 4: Repeat the Process
If your patio still looks dirty, you can repeat the process for a second time. This time around most of the stuck-on grim should be easier to spray away.
Scrub Brush and Bucket
While this may not be as quick and easy as a pressure washer, using a bucket of soapy water and a scrub brush can be very effective at cleaning a brick patio.
What you need:
- A large bucket of warm water
- Brick safe detergent
- A medium bristle brush
- Gloves
Step 1: Sweep Off the Patio
Before you start scrubbing the bricks down, grab your broom and sweep off as much dirt and debris as possible. This will keep it from being pushed around the patio as you scrub.
Step two: Dip and Scrub
Once the patio is clean, dip the scrub brush into the bucket of the soapy mixture and scrub the bricks in a circular motion starting from the side closest to the house and working your way out.
Step three: Spray it with the hose
When you finish scrubbing the patio, grab your hose and set it to the most powerful nozzle setting you have. Then, rinse the soapy water and dirt residue from the bricks.
Rinse it with Bleach Water
A quick and simple way to rinse off your brick patio is simply by pouring a bleach-water solution over it, then rinsing it off. This is ideal for a quick clean to clear up mold or mildew and not for serious patio messes or stains.
What you need:
- Bucket
- Bleach and water
- Gloves
- Protective eyewear
Step one: Mix your solution
To create an effective solution, mix together 10% liquid bleach with 90% water. Make sure you have your gloves and glasses on the entire time since bleach can be irritating to the skin and eyes.
Step two: Pour the Solution on the patio
Take the mixed bleach water and pour it onto your brick patio evenly. Make sure you get into the cracks, crevices, and sides of all the bricks. Then, let it soak in for about 20 minutes.
Step three: Wash it Away
Using a hose or a pressure washer, spray the solution off of the patio, starting from the side closest to the house and working your way to the edges. If you still notice residue once it dries, repeat the rinse process.
Before attempting any of the options above, make sure you remove all furniture and items from the patio that can get in the way or get damaged during the process.
Final Thoughts
Each of the methods provided in this article will give your patio such a deep and thorough clean; it will be hard to convince others you didn’t hire professionals.