Patio cleaning is one of those jobs we all tend to put off—ourselves included!
Here at the Lazy Magazine, our own gardens feature a mix of paved patios and timber decking, each with its pros and cons when it comes to cleaning and maintenance.
In our experience, decking doesn’t seem to gather as much dirt, but it requires more upkeep to stay in good condition. On the other hand, blockwork and pavers are easier to clean but tend to look scruffy more quickly.
As a general rule, giving your patio two deep cleans a year should keep it looking its best. A thorough spring clean helps clear away autumn and winter grime, getting it ready for summer. Then, an end-of-summer or early autumn refresh prepares it for the colder months—making next spring’s job that much easier!
It might seem like we’re anti-pressure washer on this blog too, but that’s not the case. While they’re a bit too powerful for cleaning some types of patio furniture, they can be a game-changer when it comes to stubborn stains on patios. Used with care, they deliver the best results on paved and brick surfaces—just be mindful of the pressure to avoid damage.
A good patio Spring clean in the coming months will help get everything ready for Summer 2025. With the UK weather forecast looking promising—mild temperatures, a bit of sunshine, and hopefully not too much rain or wind—now’s the perfect time to tackle the job.
The Lazy Magazine team has put together our simple cleaning methods for the most common patio surfaces in the UK. That said, these straightforward techniques will work on many other surfaces too...
How to clean and maintain stone paved and brick patios
A block paved style or brick sett patio are probably the most common types of material in the UK and for good reason. They look great, are relatively low maintenance and incredibly durable and hard-wearing.
The pavers and bricks themselves come in a wide range of different colours, shapes, textures and materials, with concrete, sandstone, clay and limestone being the most common.
In terms of the biggest issue with this type of paving or brickwork, then weeds will probably be your nemesis, whether that’s moss in the gaps between or algae on the surface of the paving slabs or bricks themselves.
Prevention is the best form of defence, so keep on top of it with our basic cleaning method:
1. Clear Patio
Start by removing furniture, planters, and anything else you can. For larger items that can’t be moved, clean around them carefully to avoid damage, or protect them if necessary.
2. Sweep Up
Give your patio a thorough sweep to clear loose debris like leaves and dirt. Pressure washing a messy patio can send dirt flying, so it’s important to get as much off as you can. If you have a garden vac, use it—it will make the task much easier.
3. Pressure Washing
When using a pressure washer on paving stones or brick patios, caution is key. You need enough power to clean effectively but not so much that you damage the surface or blast debris between the pavers. We recommend using a patio surface cleaner to make the job easier.
4. Specialist Patio Cleaner
While washing-up liquid works in a pinch, it’s best to use a specialist patio cleaner like Patio Magic to something specifically formulated for the type of surface material. You need something biodegradable that will tackle mould, algae, and moss.
Start with a low-pressure setting and test it in a hidden corner. Once you're happy, use sweeping motions to clean the entire surface evenly. Always follow product instructions and take precautions for pets and safety.
5. Moss & Mould Remover
If moss, lichen, or algae are persistent, a pressure wash may not fully prevent them from returning. A solution like Algon Organic Path and Patio Cleaner will help. It’s eco-friendly and simple to apply—just dilute, spray with a pressure sprayer, and leave to dry. No rinsing is required, and it will keep your patio clean for up to 12 months.
6. Re-Sand Pavers
For a fresh, new look, add jointing sand to your pavers. Sand fills the gaps, helping with drainage while keeping the patio slabs or bricks in place. A large bag should be sufficient for most patios. On a dry day, pour the sand over the joints, then use a broom to push it in. Once filled, sweep off any excess.
7. Seal Pavers
While sealing isn’t necessary every time, applying a sealant like Sika® Patio Seal in the spring can make a difference. One coat is usually enough, and it’ll leave your patio looking brand new. It’s affordable and available at most home improvement stores.
How to clean and maintain a timber deck
If you have a timber deck, as beautiful as they are, there’s no getting away from the fact it is probably going to need re-staining at some point. We don’t want to tackle that job in this article, more set out our method of keeping it clean, and protected and hopefully reduce the need to re-finish it for a good few years at least.
Like stone, you will find that moss and lichen can build up on your decking. Unlike stone, you do tend to find it makes decking a little more slippery, which is not good, so it is important to clean it with the right products to remove and reduce.
1. Clear Deck
Start by removing all patio furniture, planters, and anything else from the deck so you have a clear space to work with.
2. Sweep Up
Give your deck a thorough sweep to remove all loose dirt and debris, especially from any grooves. A garden vac can make this job much quicker.
3. Clean Deck
You can use a pressure washer, but be cautious and use lower power to avoid damaging the wood. Instead, we recommend filling a large bucket with warm water and Ronseal’s Timber Decking Cleaner.
Use a deck scrubbing brush and clean in the direction of the wood grain—never scrub against it. Afterwards, rinse the deck with a hose and let it dry. This cleaner will tackle dirt, grease, moss, algae, and any stubborn stains, leaving your deck looking great.
4. Treat Mould & Algae
If mould or algae are an issue, replace your regular cleaner with something specifically designed to tackle these problems. Pro Kleen Patio Cleaner is excellent for this and works on most decking types. It’s biodegradable, bleach-free, and simple to apply—just spray it on and let it do the work.
5. Reseal & Protect
While it’s often an overlooked task, resealing your deck can make a huge difference. A good sealant helps protect the wood from the elements, preventing mould and algae from returning and making future cleaning easier.
Ensure the deck is clean, dry, and free of debris before applying a quality sealant like Ronseal Decking Protector. Choose a finish that complements your deck, and always follow the manufacturer’s application instructions.
How to safely pressure wash your patio
You can use a pressure washer to clean your patio, and it’s one of the most effective ways to remove dirt, moss, and algae. However, there are some precautions to take to avoid damaging the surface or causing other issues.
1. Check Surface
We find that pressure washers are safe and effective on concrete, paving slabs, block paving, porcelain tiles and some natural stones. Caution is needed with more soft or porous stones like limestone, old or damaged patios, and wooden decking, as the high pressure can damage the surface.
2. Right Pressure & Attachment
We would recommend you keep the pressure around 1300–1800 PSI for most patio surfaces.
For softer stone and decking we would maybe go a little lower but here the nozzle choice is the most important thing. You want to use a fan or rotating nozzle for even cleaning instead of a concentrated jet, which can cause damage by stripping or gouging the surface.
3. Keep Safe Distance
If you do need to use the jet nozzle, hold it at least 12 inches (30 cm) away from the surface to prevent etching or removing jointing sand from between the paving.
4. Consistent Pattern
Work in sections and move the spray in smooth, even motions to avoid streaks or uneven cleaning.
5. Protect Surroundings
Avoid spraying near plants, windows, or delicate outdoor furniture to prevent damage. If using detergents, ensure they are biodegradable and safe for plants and pets.
6. Be Cautious
Pressure washing can dislodge the sand between pavers too, so after cleaning, sweep in some fresh kiln-dried sand to stabilise the joints and give it a nice finish.
7. Allow Drying Time
Let the patio dry completely before sealing it with a patio sealant to help prevent future stains and moss or algae growth.
Our final thoughts...
The video below is a great place to start if you want If you have any other materials such as a soft natural stone or tiles, or your decking is composite rather than natural wood, then the process is much the same. The key is to use a cleaning solution formulated for the specific material:
For example, Owatrol has a great Composite Deck Cleaner, and of course, the big advantage here is they don’t need any of the treating and re-sealing. Slate on the other hand can be cleaned with basic stone patio/paver cleaner but is best sealed with a specific slate sealer such as Floorseal.
Porcelain outdoor tiles are probably the material (in our experience) that stay clean the longest but that’s not to say they’re maintenance-free (and they are expensive to install). The grout in particular can get pretty mucky. If that’s what’s in your garden, then our advice is the Lithofin UK range and their video below gives a great demonstration of how to give it a good scrub:
In between the bigger cleans it pays to regularly keep on top of things with a general patio cleaning routine. Just sweep regularly to remove debris, wash with warm soapy water and a stiff brush, and rinse with clean water or a hose.
If you do see algae or moss starting to form, then as an alternative to the specialist cleaners we have found a solution that is 1 part bleach to 5 parts water works well. Simply apply, leave it for 10-15 minutes, scrub with a brush, then rinse it off.
For stubborn dirt and stains, try mixing up a 50:50 solution of white vinegar and hot water, pour it over the affected area, leave for 30 minutes, then scrub and rinse.
The key is to keep on top of things. Don't leave it too long between cleans and let the muck build up. Take preventative measures such as applying a patio sealer to prevent dirt and algae buildup, sweeping weekly and cleaning with soapy water monthly.
If you’ve got any photos of your Lazy Susan patio furniture in situ on your deck or patio, then we’d love to see a few snaps for our Do Some Good charity campaign. You can tag us @LazySusanFurniture on Instagram or Facebook or email them to us at sales@lazysusanfurniture.co.uk.
