I've been telling myself for a long time that I need a pressure washer. But each time I decide to buy one I back out at the last minute, convincing myself that I can't really justify investing in something that I will use at most a couple of times a year for cleaning patio slabs.
Especially when it's not even the most recommended method for effectively removing dirt and grime without potentially damaging the paving slabs. In fact, research from The Patio Black Spot Removal Company states that almost two-fifths of homeowners have experienced damage to their outdoor space due to improper pressure washing methods.
This can be anything from stripping sealant, eroding the surface and dislodging the slabs. Considering my patio was the most expensive element of my garden makeover, I'm keen not to cause any damage whatsoever.
Part of my decision to pass on one this Prime Day was also the storage element, the hassle of setting up a new bit of equipment and the potential that it will remain unused for 90% of its life.
On an even more personal level, I've just completed a loft conversion, and every pound I can save is precious. So instead, I decided to opt for the bicarbonate of soda cleaning hack, recommended by Landscaping expert Andy McLaughlin at RF Paving, as the perfect chemical and kit-free method to refresh my embarrassing patio.
(Image credit: Teresa Conway)
The million dollar method
Andy McLaughlin recommends a mix of bicarbonate of soda and water, with a ratio of one to five tablespoons per 10 litres of water, depending on how dirty the patio is.
I went with a mix of 100g Borwicks Bicarbonate of Soda, which I bought at my local corner shop but is also available at Amazon and a mop-bucketful of hot (not boiling) water. If you have a bigger area to cover, I would definitely get a bulk packet like Clean & Natural Bicarbonate Soda, £2 for 500g at Amazon.
First, I cleared all the debris that had accumulated over the previous months. Before you judge me too harshly from my before pic, we have just finished having building work done, so a lot of mess had accumulated.
Next, I swept the loose dirt and debris away from the area using my big garden broom. This is the one I own, the CHARLES BENTLEY BULLDOZER Yard Broom at Amazon, which I do recommend, but you can certainly find a cheaper option if you need to.
(Image credit: Teresa Conway)
The full kit
I will rave about this next cleaning tool, which was a recent purchase. The 2-in-1 Floor Scrub Brush at Amazon, which I bought for full price but which is currently 15% off on Prime Day. After the task too I would perhaps recommend a slightly bigger version of this tool to cover more of an area.
Once I mixed the bicarb and water, I poured this on the slabs and gave it a good going over with the scrub brush. Then used the extremely satisfying squeegy blade to swipe away the dirty water.
I then finished it off with a wipe down with a dry mop, to soak up any excess water.
From start to finish, the process took about 45 minutes. Would a pressure washer have saved much time? I would say perhaps not time, but it would have been less effort with a pressure washer as this method required a fair amount of elbow grease.
If you're covering a large this would be quite a tiring, albeit extremely satisfying task. What I can say with complete certainty, however, is that this method saved me money and used much less water.
Overall, I am happy that I made a saving and my patio is looking clean and refreshed, with no damaged slabs.
Experts all agree that pressure washers should never be used on decking. Check out our guide on how to remove algae and dirt on decking for the proper method.
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Teresa was part of a team that launched Easy Gardens in 2018 and worked as the Editor on this magazine. She has extensive experience writing and editing content on gardens and landscaping on brands such as Homes & Gardens, Country Homes & Interiors and Living Etc magazine. She has developed close working relationships with top landscape architects and leading industry experts, and has been exposed to an array of rich content and expertise.
In 2020 Teresa bought her first home. She and her partner worked alongside architects and builders to transform the downstairs area of her two bedroom Victorian house in north London into a usable space for her family. Along the way she learned the stresses, woes and joys of home renovation, and is now looking to her next project, landscaping the back garden.
