Gransnet forums

Ask a gran

Patio Cleaner

(32 Posts)
kittylester Sat 19-Apr-25 12:33:02

Our patio needs it annual clean and DH is keen to use one called Patio Magic as it claims to require no scrubbing or rinsing.

Has anyone tried one like that or have any other suggestions please?

Scribbles Sat 19-Apr-25 12:44:57

I've never used anything other than a pressure-washer and clean water.

Judy54 Sat 19-Apr-25 14:47:01

Yes same here pressure washer and clean water. Did get a Professional in recently and He did an amazing job on patio, garden path and hard standing at front of house. The bricks came up like new, definitely will us him again.

NanTheWiser Sat 19-Apr-25 15:00:20

Not yet, but I have a container of Wet and Forget (same sort of stuff) waiting to do mine as soon as I have cleared the patio, and the weather is right.

Apparently results aren’t immediate, it seems to work over a period of time, I believe it contains some sort of biocide which kills off algae and moss, but might not clean off some stubborn marks.

My patio is old, and the mortar is crumbling, so jet washing it would probably make it worse.

Georgesgran Sat 19-Apr-25 17:55:48

I had my drive cleaned (jet wash) a few years back. They blew out all the sand between the blocks and forced filthy water under my garage door, which was also damaged along the bottom. I felt pressured into paying, then found they’d dumped all the ‘gunk’ in my garden bin - bunch of cowboys really.

Norah Sat 19-Apr-25 18:04:10

Karcher pressure washer.

Amazon. Cheap as chips, easy to use.

www.amazon.co.uk/K%C3%A4rcher-Power-Control-pressure-washer/dp/B08R66352P/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1CZI5PMXPDNQ7&keywords=karcher%2Bpressure%2Bwasher&sprefix=karcher%2Caps%2C261&th=1&dib_tag=se&tag=gransnetforum-21&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Uito3F7Tm677Tqgh6CqAqev68WjqwrPiLSY1hPHP9WBEXQ566VCVVAaUw19owb6DN1OnjPOh5Pv7ls0UXL8Cx9nDAdTWSwHoihEArhD8cCzI7j-0iMOP3Sk2yDdYkrq3nfywPGNsUIVfdoJNe1il6jqRLfyhkO-pG4uOtjm-9vc2u7USM6uJhCT12eIIRzmUGHE_4gBbhrN_dRE1l4zIesKmLj8VKd-xLD608Llttx8.IfyTUkgU5pyam0JNCoHh2bUkNEutuBtwIvm1BWTNT2k&qid=1745082128&sr=8-3

Charleygirl5 Sat 19-Apr-25 18:06:01

NantheWiser* I have bought the same. My problem is that I am partially sighted, so I cannot read the print regarding the dilution levels. I also thought my weeds would vanish overnight.

Casdon Sat 19-Apr-25 18:11:33

I use Patio Magic, as I’ve got a patio at the far end of my garden which is too far from the house for a pressure washer. I sweep the patio, wash it with detergent to get the worst dirt off, then spray with Patio Magic and leave on. It doesn’t look as if it’s doing much at first, but after a week or so it is good, it kills all the algae, including black mould (use a higher concentrate if you have black mould). It also has the advantage of not damaging the grout, which pressure washing can do.

pascal30 Sat 19-Apr-25 18:24:11

Wet and Forget is fantastic.. Literally spray over with the solution.. not before rain.. and leave for a couple of weeks.. Patio cleans itself just like magic..

Casdon Sat 19-Apr-25 18:28:29

Yes, there are quite a few that do a similar job. I’ve also used the Jeyes Fluid patio cleaner, which works well too.

Teazel2 Sat 19-Apr-25 18:33:29

We have used Patio Magic, it got all the green algae off within 2 days and was easy to spray on.

Mt61 Sat 19-Apr-25 18:40:57

Rubbish, don’t bother. Deosan is the best to use on Indian stone, most concrete paving. Make sure it’s well diluted.

cornergran Sat 19-Apr-25 18:47:14

Mr C has moved on from the pressure washer and now prefers to use Wet and Forget. It’s certainly much less messy, no more splattered patio doors and conservatory or soaked trousers. It’s also less physically strenuous to use. Almost instant improvement on the green patches on wood it takes a little longer on patio slabs depending how discoloured they are. Mr C wants to try it on the conservatory roof this year. No idea how effective it will be. Watch this space!

Jaxjacky Sat 19-Apr-25 19:12:32

If you have black spot a professional we know recommends sodium hypochlorite, it works well.

Mt61 Sat 19-Apr-25 19:48:29

Jaxjacky

If you have black spot a professional we know recommends sodium hypochlorite, it works well.

Yes it’s Deosan

Casdon Sat 19-Apr-25 19:52:06

Deosan is what they use to clean farmyards isn’t it? I’d be scared about killing my plants and grass if I used sodium hypochlorite in the garden myself, I’d prefer to leave that to professionals?

Redhead56 Sat 19-Apr-25 21:24:32

Wet&Forget highly recommended spray it on leave it brightens slowly but it is effective.

kittylester Sat 19-Apr-25 21:31:02

Do you need to wash before using Wet and Forget or Patio Magic?

Casdon Sat 19-Apr-25 21:33:24

No, but the end result is better if there isn’t a lot of surface dirt before you start in my experience, so I brush, then slosh soapy water on my patio, let it dry, then apply Patio Magic.

cornergran Sat 19-Apr-25 23:36:02

We don’t wash ours kitty, I just brush off visible leaves and soil - but then we’re both just a little bit work avoidant!

Calendargirl Sun 20-Apr-25 06:56:27

My DH uses Patio Magic on our block paved drive. It’s not cheap, but we buy it when on offer.

If you pressure wash, you have to re-sand it.

It kills off the algae. Needs doing when the weather is good so it doesn’t get washed away.

shysal Sun 20-Apr-25 07:44:43

Works perfectly, you only need to sweep beforehand. The results take a while to show, but gradually improve and last at least a year. I also use it on my shed and fence, anything outdoors which is a bit green. If you don't have a sprayer, one brand comes with a battery spray attachment. Good luck!

CV2020 Sun 20-Apr-25 08:02:40

I use Hypochlorite- it’s a bleach on my front and side driveway which are both mono blocked and are very large areas. Kills the weeds dead almost immediately
and cleans the mono blocks also. Once it rains it keeps working too. I buy it in a farm supply store locally I also re-sand once weeds totally rot away. I would not use anything else.

kittylester Sun 20-Apr-25 08:15:17

Is it safe for the cats?

Thank you all for your input. We do have a Karcher but are trying to be like corner and her DH. 🤣🤣

Churchview Sun 20-Apr-25 09:07:00

Aren't people different. I've never cleaned my patio, just brush it regularly. I'd worry about what all the chemicals were doing to the wildlife, my plants and what happens when it drains off into waterways. Years ago I can't remember anyone cleaning the outdoors.