Cleaning your patio can be hard work. You need to scrub and remove dirt frequently which is not an easy task. But with the help of the best patio cleaner, you get one of the best aids to have your patio clean in minutes.
Since most patios tend to get clean less frequently than the floors inside the house, they also tend to see considerable dirt build-up. This is why you need patio cleaners that work and that are also safe. In the current pandemic, having a clean living space seems to an even bigger important. As a result, the best solution is to simply enjoy your cleaning process which can only be done when you use good cleaning tools and the best patio cleaners for the job.
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Best Bacteria Cleaner
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Best for Killing Weeds
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Best Versatility
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3.5
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3.5
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3.5
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£36.95 (£7.39 / l)
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£8.99 (£8.99 / l)
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£32.99 (£1.65 / l)
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12/17/2022 12:54 am GMT
SmartSeal Patio Clean Xtreme
Made with powerful active ingredients, this patio cleaner is ready for the most demanding tasks. If you have natural stone or wooden patios, you can have it clean and looking like new in a couple of hours. This Xtreme solution needs to be diluted with water at a 2:1 ratio and applied to the patio. It’s then left to do its work before cleaning the patio with water.
With included biocide, this powerful formula also prevents dirt to build up quickly on your patio as well. For example, it keeps algae and lichens away further based on its active ingredients cleaning. But it’s also known to remove dirt, grout, and grime. It takes care of black spots, moss, and other dirt on the stone patio, paving slabs, or other paved materials.
But we also like it on stone compared to other cleaning solutions for its low impact action. Sure, you can always use a pressure washer to remove dirt build-up, but this has the potential of damaging snow and certain paving details.
Sold in a 5l bottle, the cleaner covers surfaces of up to 40 square meters. Suitable for long-term use based on its concentrated formula, it can be one of the leading products for enhanced cleaning power and less frequent cleaning.
- Made with biocide
- Kills all bacteria
- Removes dirt
- It requires rinsing
Job Done 86600266 Path & Patio Cleaner
Useful on heavily soiled paved surfaces, this cleaner is one that acts fast. However, most users like it as it doesn’t affect nearby areas such as lawns. You can use it on the entire surface of your patio, not just on the areas with the most dirt.
Available in multiple sizes, it needs to be applied directly on tarmac, concrete, stone or other paved patios. You then leave it to act at least 10 minutes before rinsing. In this time, it will get rid of dirt and even oil stains, which are frequent on patios with barbecue. Made to dry quickly, this is not the type of cleaning solution you live to act for hours and hours as you’ll need to rinse the patio shortly.
Most users also rely on it to restore the natural colour of their patio. It can be hard to accept that your patio doesn’t look as new. But you don’t have to repave it and pay thousands for the job. You can try the Job Done patio cleaner for visible results in just a few minutes.
If your patio starts to see weeds growing, this is also the type of cleaner you need to use as an all-in-one solution. It normally takes up to 2 weeks for it to travel to the roots of the weed and kill it in the ground. This is why it also has the potential of keeping your patio clean for longer than other cleaners.
- Available in multiple sizes
- Removed dirt in 10 minutes
- It kills weeds
- It requires rinsing
Jarder Spray & Leave Concentrate Cleaner
This patio cleaner is one of the most versatile products on our list. If you don’t want to invest in a specific product for your patio and you only want to use one cleaning solution for the entire home exterior, this is it. It can be used on paved surfaces, rocks, and even on PVC.
Made with more active ingredients, it allows decking cleaning without rinsing. This can be one of the formulas you seek as a busy homeowner. Maybe you don’t have time for scrubbing or maybe you simply don’t have time for rinsing as well. It can take some time to clean the entire patio, sidewalks, garden furniture, guttering, wooden sheds, roofing, and even Velux windows.
You can even apply this cleaner to your fence to have it look brand new again. We recommend applying this solution on days without bright sun as it can make it evaporate a bit quick for it to clean thoroughly. But you also want to avoid applying it on the wet surface soon after rainfall. If within 2 days you see that the solution hasn’t yet cleaned your patio as well as you expect, you can repeat the process with a similar or lower quantity of patio cleaning solution.
- Made for all surfaces
- Suitable for terracotta and artificial grass
- No rinsing required
- It requires dilution
Sodium Hypochlorite Chlorine Patio Cleaner
This heavy-duty patio cleaner contains sodium hypochlorite. This active ingredient is one of the strongest used in cleaning solutions. It’s also known as bleach in some parts of the country. However, it’s a chemical different from the bleach.
It can be the best patio cleaner if you haven’t cleaned it for years. It features one of the best profiles for deep cleaning and this reason and its chemicals content, we recommend going letting it act for up to 2 days before rinsing properly with a garden hose.
Since it’s a very potent chemical blend, this patio cleaner is also not safe to use next to your lawn or next to plants as it can kill them. We also recommend keeping kids and pets away from the patio for a few days after application. You can do this by closing off the patio by locking the exit door from the house and with pieces of furniture from the outside access points.
- One of the strongest deep cleaners
- It acts within 2 days
- Often compared to pure bleach
- Not safe for kids, pets, and plants
Jeyes Fluid Outdoor Cleaner & Disinfectant
Based on chlorocresol, this patio cleaner also acts as a disinfectant. In the days of the pandemic, it can be one of the most inspired purchases for a germ-free patio for you and your family. It cleans within hours and we recommend rinsing the patio after application.
It might also be the product you let act up to a day since it kills germs. If you have pets such as dogs and cats, it can be the cleaner to clear all germs from the patio. You can even use it in drains, an area that is known for a high germs concentration.
For the best results, the manufacturer recommends diluting it with water when applied on the patio. Some scrubbing might be required if you see that dirt is still present after a few hours of application. You then need to rinse the area.
Available in all sizes from 300ml to 5L, it’s also economical. You may only need to clean a small patio and in this case, you don’t need to buy the largest version. On the other hand, you might need to clean a large patio which means you can benefit from buying its value 5L version.
- It kills germs
- Suitable for all outdoor spaces
- Unblocks drains
- Not safe for pets
Pro-Kleen Patio & Driveway Cleaner
Made to remove dirt, grime, lichen, and green mould, this capable patio cleaner works on different surfaces. From cemented patios to block paving patios, the cleaning fluid is even efficient with moss mould lichen. The fast-acting DIY cleaner is let to clean the area and then rinsed with a high-pressure washer such as those made by Karcher.
With 2 parts cleaner and 1 part water, this solution gets diluted and it even lasts longer than you expect. You may even use it on your garden’s paving slabs when you’re done cleaning the patio. Even stubborn stains on the tarmac are easy to remove with this cleaner.
The solution also works as an algae killer or a moss killer. This can be an issue in areas with high humidity. This prevents mould and black mould formation which poses a potential health risk that you need to address as soon as possible. The moss cleaner action can also recommend it as a driveway cleaner as much of the grime that gets on the patio comes from other areas around the house.
- Made with the deep cleaning action
- It can be used on patios, steps, and paths
- Applies with a watering can
- It requires dilution
Sodium Hypochlorite HIGH Strength Cleaner Washer
The cleaning solution is mainly recommended for patios that suffer from high lichen and algae formations. It works to kill weeds and mould, ensuring your patio looks brand new once again.
But what we like about it the most is just how strong its formula is. The manufacturer says it’s twice as strong as other products. But it takes 6 parts water and 1 part cleaner to create the formula that’s going to make your patio clean. This means it’s one of the most powerful products in its class.
We recommend using protective gear when cleaning your patio in general. But this protective gear is certainly needed with this sodium hypochlorite solution. You need to protect your nose, your eyes and your hands when handling this solution and even when rinsing your patio.
- Potent formula
- It removes mould
- Kills bacteria
- Not safe for pets
Pro-Kleen Cleaner
This smaller version of the Pro-Kleen Patio & Driveway Cleaner is high appreciated by those on a budget and by people with small patios. It can be one of the most beneficial cleaners in terms of overall versatility. You can even consider it to rejuvenate the look of your patio and your driveway.
As with most Pro-Kleen products, it also comes with easy application. For example, it comes with a complex formula that doesn’t need any scrubbing. You simply apply it with a sprayer or with a watering can all over the patio. You then let it act before rinsing when you see dirt and grim has left the areas of application.
- Affordable cleaner
- Ideal for paving, concrete, and steps
- It removes grime
- Not available in 1L bottles
How to choose the best patio cleaner
The following buying guide applies to Amazon patio cleaners but you can consider it for any type of patio cleaning solution you can find online. We take a closer look into what qualifies as a good purchase for your patio cleaner and what you need to do to ensure you don’t waste time and money trying to make your patio look great again.
Consider the patio surface
The first aspect you need to consider is the surface of the patio. It can be one of the most important elements to determine which and how much cleaning solution you need. Some cleaning solutions can be applied straight out of the bottle. But others need to be diluted first.
Diluting the patio cleaner also means covering a wider surface. Even a basic patio cleaner with dilution can be mixed with 2 parts water. This makes it a valuable option for those who want to ensure their patio is cleaned. But there’s a trick.
Some of these cleaners with a diluted formula might be used by those who frequently clean their patio. It means that you can see great results with your patio cleaner when you use it at least once every 2-3 months. In this case, you don’t need the strongest cleaner with the deepest action and you might even dilute it further than the manufacturer recommends.
Consider the surface of the patio
What is your patio covered with? Is it Indian sandstone, stone or is it wood? These questions are going to determine which cleaning products are going to work best for your home. If you have a wooden patio, you need to find the right safe formula which keeps you from having to invest in wood refinishing in case of accidental damage.
But if you have a paved patio, you need to look for a general-purpose garden sprayer. It normally takes some time for the cleaner to penetrate the porous paved patio. But it’s worth abiding by the brand’s recommendations so that it has the time needed to act thoroughly.
At the same time, you also want to ensure your patio is going to be as clean as possible by choosing an all-surface cleaner which helps clean other areas such as terracotta flower pots. There are plenty of options to be considered for all of these surfaces.
Look at the cleaning plan
The cleaning plan should be easy. You apply the outdoor cleaner, then you leave it to act, and you finally rinse it if required by the manufacturer. On occasions, it might also be recommended to scrub but you should always use protective gloves, goggles, and a face mask when scrubbing the patio algae remover so that you don’t come in direct contact with the solution.
Each patio cleaner takes a different time to act. It can take as little as 10 minutes for some formulas and as much as a couple of days for others. But it’s important to choose the valuable formulas that remove dirt as it’s not about the fastest formula.
You also get to work with a different product where some of them can require a few days to act lower than surface level. For example, some of these cleaners also kill weeds which is an important element as this process can take days. The cleaner needs to reach the roots of the weeds to kill them at the source.
Take a look at the safety warning
Safety warnings are crucial on the best patio cleaners. They tell you where you can use the patio cleaner and how to use it as well. As a result, you can enjoy some of the best results with your cleaner when you’re abiding by these safety recommendations such as seen on the bottles of Patio Magic and other hard surfaces cleaners such as those from Wet & Forget.
Even the cleaners that claim to be pet friendly shouldn’t be handled without any protective gloves and a face mask. While they use mild chemicals, it’s still not a good idea to have their formulas come in contact with your hands.
On the other hand, you also want to read these directions in case you live with kids and pets. Most of these products aren’t safe in these households. You need to keep your kids and the pets away from the patio until you rinse the cleaner off. It allows you to easily manage the surface without fearing any direct contact.
We also recommend keeping these products as far away from garden furniture or plants as well. You don’t want to accidentally spray your lawn when applying the cleaner to your patio. This would instantly kill the grass of your lawn.
Use a pressure washer if possible
How do you rinse a patio after applying a patio cleaner? You should consider pressure washing as often as possible here. This is going to remove all cleaner particles properly. Otherwise, you can simply rely on a garden hose and go over the entire patio a few times to ensure there’s no cleaner left to come in contact with. Some people prefer to add a solution of soap and water on top of the cleaner before finally rinsing, but this is not mandatory.
Final words
We’ve seen why the best patio cleaners are truly the best. Most of them act quickly and they don’t require any scrubbing. But it’s also clear that most of these patio cleaners are made for the ultimate durability and for enhanced capacity in cleaning other surfaces as well.
You will find most patio cleaners have excellent formulas for cleaning other outdoor surfaces as well. They are often used on all of the adjacent areas of the patio which means they offer the best results in the shortest period for the money. You end up saving money when you use the same cleaner on all of the paved surfaces outside of your house.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best cleaner for patios?
The Smartseal Patio Clean Xtreme is the best cleaner for patios. It represents one of the safest products for enhanced cleaning results and you might even end up using it on most paved outdoor surfaces. Paths and driveways can also be deep cleaned with it as these areas also need to look good to make your patio stand out even more.
How do you clean patio slabs without chemicals?
You need to find an environmentally-friendly biodegradable formula to clean the patio slabs without chemicals. These formulas are still rare and they cost a bit more. But as seen above, they exist and they do a terrific job at cleaning the patio with minimum to no environmental impact.
Can I use bleach to clean my patio?
In theory, you can use bleach to clean patio slabs. But you don’t want to use pure bleach as it can harm the natural colours of your patio. This is why we recommend only using the products which allow your patio to look clean and feel clean without harming its surface.