If it’s now time to clean your patio or driveway you may want to know what are the safest cleaners to use on your paving. This may be because you don’t want to use a cleaner such as bleach or a hard surface cleaner that you fear may fade or even damage your paving such as an acid based cleaner. You may just want to use a more environmentally way that won’t harm pets or wildlife.
Safe cleaners for using on paving
So if you want to use more environmentally friendly products, that are safe as well as being very east to use to remove the stubborn stains, traffic dirt or just bring back the sparkle to your pavers or paving slabs we can help you decide which product or method to use. Please have a look below at some of the most popular and safest cleaners to use on paving.
Water as a cleaner
You’d actually be surprised just how good plain, clean water is in cleaning paving. Simply use with a brush and a bit of elbow grease and if done regularly, a quick wash down of your outdoor driveway or patio pavers is one of the safest and eco-friendly ways to keep your paving clean. You could combine the cleaning with other jobs such as washing patio furniture, or even whilst doing the car. And you can be sure your garden plants, pets and wildlife will be happy too. One of the most popular ways to use just water to clean your paving is with a pressure washer. Apart from the electricity or petrol needed to power the pressure washer its one of the safest cleaners to use on any patio or driveway.
Vinegar (white or clear, not brown)
White vinegar when diluted at a rate of 1:1 with water makes safe and natural cleaner. White vinegar is also a great weed & moss killer. Its well known that white vinegar makes a great household cleaner for cleaning glass windows, metal cutlery and many plastic items. But less people know that it can also be used for various outdoor cleaning tasks such as removing dirt, mold and grime from paving. Simply mix with water, apply and leave for 15-30 mins before rinsing off. Remember to use white vinegar and not brown or other coloured vinegar’s as this may lead to staining.of the surface.The one downside of using vinegar is that its a bit smelly. But the smell should have gone within a few hours.
Bicarbonate of Soda or Baking-Soda
Baking soda is another eco-friendly and safe cleaner that can be used for outdoor cleaning. It can be mixed with water to create a paste for cleaning grime, stains, and mildew on surfaces such as concrete, metal, and plastic. It’s also effective for neutralizing odours. I would recommend using bicarbonate of soda on small stains and small areas of dirt as it could be costly using lots to clean a driveway or patio.
- No Scrubbing Required: Simply mix 1 part Wet & Forget with 5 parts water, apply to the desired surface, and let it work its magic. No scrubbing…
- Highly Concentrated Formula: One bottle produces up to 30 litres of solution, covering a large area of 100-300m². Apply in cloudy, dry conditions for…
- Versatile Application: Perfect for various surfaces, including patios, roofs, bricks, paving, artificial grass, tarmac, decking and more. Whether it’s…
Biodegradable & Eco-Friendly Commercial Cleaners
Another one of the safest cleaners to use on paving slabs would be to use a purpose made eco-friendly biodegradable cleaner. They are often referred to as ‘apply and leave’ cleaners. These are a relatively new type of cleaner for almost any outdoor items but especially for cleaning patio & driveway paving. They are gaining in popularity due to how easy they are to use. You just simply dilute, then apply the cleaner and then leave. Its as simple as that! There is no need for washing off the cleaner and you don’t need to use with a pressure washer. The solution can continue to clean for up to 6 months once applied. It kills all algae and moss. They are normally child, pet and garden lawn and plant friendly.
Please have a read of some of the best selling Eco-friendly cleaners here
Please be aware that although these are the safest methods to use on paving, if you do decide to buy any product you should always read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions that you find written or provided with the container.