A concrete patio is built for durability, but it can still come to harm when you use a powerful cleaning tool like a power washer. Finding effective alternatives is a great way to decrease risk while still getting your patio looking as good as new.
Cleaning a concrete patio without a pressure washer may be done with:
- A broom
- Low-pressure washing tools
- Trisodium Phosphate
- Baking soda
- White vinegar
- Acid
- Lemon juice
- Carbonated drinks
- Oxygen bleach
Keep reading to learn how to clean a concrete patio without a pressure washer using easy-to-obtain products. You likely have most lying around the house, but the few specialized products are easy to find, and you can get your patio clean with less stress.
Sweeping Away Loose Debris
It’s a good idea to dedicate a broom to sweeping away large debris on your concrete patio. Not only does this keep leaves, sticks, and most dirt off, but it encourages you to clean the patio before any of the mess can settle down.
Do this about once a week (or more often in messier seasons) to take care of the debris before it sticks down in the concrete’s texture.
You may also be able to spray the concrete patio down with a regular hose to deal with mild grime, but for buildup, mold, and more serious grime, you will need specialized tools and stronger cleaning agents.
Concrete Patio Cleaning Tools (That Aren’t a Pressure Washer)
If you’re put off by the cost or the potential harms of using a pressure washer, there are cheaper and less intense tools that can make cleaning your concrete patio easier. For the most ease, look into a low-pressure washer (which works similar to a carpet cleaner, but for your patio) or a hose attachment to increase the pressure of your garden hose.
Some suitable tools to have on hand for the cleaning products listed below include:
- A stiff brush (nylon or wire, or both)
- A bucket
- A spray bottle
These tools boost the work by the cleaning agents.
Cleaning Products
When you’re working with anything other than water, you need to remember that all cleaning agents will affect how your patio looks and interacts with neighboring flora and fauna.
We recommend choosing the least harsh product that you believe you need so you limit the effects on the plants, flowers, and soil surrounding your patio. You should also try to use as little as possible while still using as much as you need.
If you’re worried about discoloration, make sure you test the product in an inconspicuous area first.
Trisodium Phosphate
Trisodium Phosphate (TSP) crystals are easy to track down in most of your home improvement stores. You mix them with water to create a solution that many recommend for cleaning a concrete patio.
You can spray a TSP solution directly on a stained area, allow it to sit for a few minutes, then scrub with a stiff bristle brush to take care of any debris. TSP rinses away, but it can be harmful to plants and local groundwater, so you should take care to use a moderate amount.
Baking Soda
A 1:32 ratio of baking soda to water is a great way to break up stains on your concrete patio. Mixing ½ a cup with a gallon of water still gives you plenty of strength for breaking down dirt and grime, but you should let the solution sit for about 20 minutes before scrubbing and rinsing.
Baking soda is cheap and has a limited effect on the environment, but it will still throw off the pH of surrounding soil and structures.
White Vinegar
You want to use white vinegar when cleaning concrete, as red vinegar products are likely to stain the light surface of your patio. This is a natural cleaner that’s safe to use in a 1:1 ratio with water.
It’s better to use a hard bristle brush when working on heavily soiled areas. If the stain struggles to come up, you can use vinegar undiluted and let it sit for about 10 minutes.
Vinegar also reacts with baking soda, which you can use in your favor in certain situations.
Use a hose to spray it away, but understand that the acidity affects local plants and soil.
Acid
Many commercial concrete etchers and cleaners use acid, primarily muriatic acid and hydrochloric acid, to deal with stubborn stains like rust. You need to take extra precaution with these cleaners to protect your skin, lungs, and eyes.
The instructions vary depending on the cleaner, but most tell you to spray directly onto the stain and use a brush to work the acid into the stain. As most are dissolvable in water, you can run the hose over the area when it’s done working.
Lemon Juice
Lemon juice works in the same way as acid (citric acid), but it’s a more natural approach. It’s also a great way to deal with any leftover lemons or lemon juice you have.
You want to use this undiluted and coat the area completely, letting the citric acid sit for about 10 minutes before scrubbing with a wire brush and rinsing.
Carbonated Drinks
Many sodas are corrosive enough to deal with stains on your concrete patio, but you’re best off using clean sodas that contain citric acid. This limits the potential to further stain your patio while increasing the chances of dealing with set-in stains.
If you pour the soda over the stain and let it sit for a few minutes, the carbonation and acid will energize and lift the stains.
Keep in mind that the sugary drinks will make the area sticky. You can use diet varieties to offset this but rinse the area thoroughly regardless.
Oxygen Bleach
Oxygen bleach is safe to use and has similar effectiveness as chlorine bleach. When you’re cleaning your patio, a 5:1:1 ratio of water, oxygen bleach, and dish detergent give you the most stain-fighting power.
Simply pour this onto the concrete patio and get to brushing. Once it foams up nicely, let the solution sit for about 15 minutes before rinsing it away.
While it’s less likely to harm surrounding plants or wildlife, oxygen bleach should still be used in moderation.
Conclusion
If you found this blog post helpful, please share it on social media. Also consider sharing it with friends and family!
Take a look at our other most recent blog posts below:
- Bathroom Decor Ideas with Plants and Wood Accents
- Home Office Ideas For Two People
- Half Bathroom Accent Wall Ideas
- Farmhouse Bathroom Tile Ideas
- Halloween Porch Decorations