Over half of homeowners in the UK have patios and driveways. Sadly, under half know how to care for them and what tools you need to clean a patio & driveway thoroughly.
Until working with Art of Clean, I just thought a simple pressure washer would be enough… Boy, I was wrong!
Having a clean patio & driveway can make your home look more attractive and inviting. However, getting it to that level of cleanliness can be tricky! It will sometimes take effort and time while requiring specialised products and tools. For an effortless patio & driveway cleaning experience, equip yourself with the following products and tools.
The tools you will need for a patio & driveway clean:
- Protective goggles and gloves
You should wear protective goggles and gloves while applying the degreasing & cleaning solutions to protect against skin irritation or eye contact. These steps will ensure the safe and successful cleaning of the affected surface.
- Waterproof clothes and shoes
Cleaning your patio or driveway won’t be a dry one… soaking wet is what you will be by the end of it, so finding some waterproof bottoms and shoes would be best! Not only do you get incredibly wet, but it’s also a dirty job! Mud splatters and general dirt will find a way to cover you.
If you don’t want to invest in these items… you could always wait till it’s a scorching day and then enjoy getting wet, hahaha!
- Stiff outdoor broom
Once you have cleared the area ready for cleaning, using an excellent outdoor broom with stiff, hard bristles is important. It will allow removing debris, like leaves and dirt, from your patio & driveway’s surface.
Also, using a broom instead of the other tools will ensure that you don’t damage your patio & driveway during the process. It will also ensure that no added debris hinders or disrupts the job. It will also make the entire job much quicker and more efficient.
- Brush for scrubbing
Maintaining your driveway can be a smooth process. With regular brushing and scrubbing, it can stay looking clean and new for a lot longer. However, dirt and debris can build up over time, making it hard to sweep away with a regular broom.
It would help to have an efficient scrub wash for the best results. When choosing a brush for this task, select one with soft bristles, as metal or stiff brushes can damage the surface of your patio & driveway. By giving your patio & driveway a thorough scrub, you can restore their original look and keep them in brilliant condition. Doing this will ensure that your patio & driveway looks great all year.
- Degreaser
For cleaning efficiency, they recommend using specially formulated degreasers on any patios & driveways stained with grease and oil. Depending on the type of staining and patio & driveway material, you will need different solutions for a thorough cleaning. Applying these products before beginning any other form of cleaning is the best way. They help break down tough stains more effectively and quickly.
- Kitty litter, sawdust, and coke
You must utilise any materials you can for all stain removal processes on your driveway. Kitty litter and sawdust are both effective in absorbing oil stains… they also use coke-based products.
- Cleaning detergent
This cleaning method is the perfect solution for restoring your driveway to its original brilliance. All you need to do is liberally apply liquid laundry detergent with a spray bottle and then brush it onto the surface. It’s really that simple, but the outcome is shocking when you witness your patio & driveway looking as good as new.
- Garden hose or sprayer
After cleaning with the brush and cleaning solution, you must rinse. You do this with a high-pressure sprayer or garden hose to ensure all soap and dirt are completely gone. This process should result in a spotless outcome. For the best results, attend to every crevice and corner while cleaning your patio & driveway so that it is good as new.
- Pressure washer
Pressure washers are becoming incredibly popular among people who want to save energy and time while cleaning tough surfaces. This efficient machine utilises strong water pressure, enabling users to get amazing results with minimal effort. With a pressure washer, you can quickly complete even the most daunting tasks – much faster than other methods.
The pressure from the water jets can break through grime and dirt that would generally be hard or impossible to remove without this helpful tool. Access to a pressure washer is an ideal way to make cleaning projects more effective and straightforward.
Using a pressure washer can remove dirt and other debris. However, it is important to be careful while doing so. If you use too much pressure, you could damage the surface of your driveway, leading to decay and weakening over time.
Always use light pressure and restrict its usage whenever feasible. Doing so will help keep your patio & driveway’s original condition without causing any damage.
A short video of our process:
In this video, you will see what we do, which should help you clean by following our process. I have also added some other useful blogs at the end to help you further.
So, as you can see, having the right materials and tools is needed to ensure your patio & driveway is clean and aesthetically pleasing.
For instructions on how to pressure wash your patio, check out this blog:
If you want to know whether you should seal or not, click on the link below to help you decide:
If you would like to know which patio types are easier to clean, click on the link below:
Written by Tracey Gilbey, Marketing and Admin Coordinator at Art of Clean.
For further advice or information on our Carpet and Soft Furnishing care, please do not hesitate to contact the Art of Clean team on 01223 901551 in Cambridge. Our services include Carpet Cleaning, Upholstery Cleaning, oriental and area Rug Cleaning. Curtain Cleaning, Patio, and Driveway Pressure washing. Leather Cleaning, Stone and Tile Floor Cleaning, and Wood Floor Sanding and Restoration. We also supply new flooring and carpets through our sister company Art of Flooring. Our Dry-Cleaning service is provided by Farthings Cambridge