Concrete patio is the best choice if you want to save more money. It is very affordable and it can last for years. Plus, you can design it with patterns, colors, or other things to make the patio look more beautiful. But, the problem is that it can get dirty easily. Mud and water can be trapped and they can make the patio look dull when fully dried. You might want to use tools to clean the patio, but they can also damage the surface if you are not careful. Don’t worry, you can easily clean the concrete patio using these tips.
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1. Sweeping the Surface
You can clean the concrete patio easily using a broom. This solution would be best if the patio only has loose debris and dirt. You can do regular sweeping every day to make sure that the debris and dirt are not building up on the surface. If the debris and dirt have accumulated, you will need to pray them first with water and sweep them away. You can also spray the area using a hose to remove stubborn buildup that has been there for some time.
2. Using Baking Soda
Cleaning the patio using chemicals can be quite unhealthy for you and for the environment as well. But, you don’t need to worry because you can opt-out of environmentally-friendly methods using your household items such as baking soda. You can easily clean the soiled spot in the patio by mixing a half cup of baking soda and a gallon of water. You can also mix it again with eight cups of liquid dish detergent to create a stronger solution.
Then, spray the area as well as the entire patio using the mixture and leave it to dry for around 20 minutes. The mixture will help in breaking down the dirt on the surface. After it has dried, you need to scrub the patio to remove the grime. You don’t need to worry because the grime will come off easily. Rinse the grime using a hose and you will have a cleaner patio for every occasion.
3. Using Vinegar
Another environmentally-friendly way to clean the concrete patio is using vinegar. It is also relatively easy because all you need to do is to mix an equal amount of vinegar and water. Use the mixture to clean the surface of the patio.
If the stain is hard to clean, you will need to use undiluted vinegar to spray the area. The vinegar will make it easy to remove the stains. Leave for 10 minutes and clean the surface using a hard bristle broom. Then, rinse the area by spraying water using a hose.
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4. Using Mixture of Baking Soda and Bleach
Some stains are very hard to clean and you will need to clean them using some chemicals when the previous solutions don’t work. All you need to do is mix a part of bleach and two parts of baking soda. You can easily adjust the number if you have larger patios.
The mixture will look very thick like a soup. Just dip in a large scrub brush to scrub the surface. But, you will need to wear rubber gloves because the mixture can be too strong for your skin. The grime will be very easy to clean and you won’t need a long time to see the result. However, you will need to make sure that you rinse the patio well using water. You also need to let it dry off completely before walking or arranging your flower pots and furniture on it.
5. Removing Rust Stains and Mud using Oxalic Acid
One of the most frustrating moments is when you see some rust stains on the concrete patio because they will be very hard to clean. Not only some stains from your furniture or grills, but some red mud will be very hard to clean. You don’t need to worry because you can easily remove the stains using oxalic acid or some cleaner solutions that contain oxalic acid.
All you need to do here is sweep the surface well and apply the cleaner based on the instructions in the package. Apply the cleaner in the affected areas and scrub them off using a brush. Then, rinse the area well and let it dry completely. If the stains remain, you will need to repeat the steps again until the stains are completely gone.
6. Removing Grease Stains
Grease stains are an enemy for every homeowner because the stains can penetrate deeply into the concrete surface. The stains should be treated immediately because if you leave them for some time, they can be very hard to clean. It is also not an easy process because you will need to repeat the same steps to make sure that the grease is completely gone.
To clean the affected area, you will need to prepare cornstarch or kitty litter and a commercial degreaser of your choice. Inspect the affected areas and sprinkle them using a thick layer of cornstarch or kitty litter. You will need to leave it on the stains for at least 24 hours or up to three days to allow it to absorb the grease.
Then, sweep the cornstarch or kitty litter and if you still see the stains, you will need to repeat again until the stains are almost gone. After that, spray the areas using a degreaser and scrub them clean. Rinse the areas with a hose and let them dry. If the stains remain, you will need to repeat the same process until the surface is perfectly clean.
7. Using a Pressure Washer
Pressure washer is not a common tool that every household has, but it is the best tool that you can use to clean the concrete patio. All you need to do is to operate the machine on the surface based on the direction on the machine. But you will need to make sure that you protect the walls and doors from the loose debris of the pressure washer. You also need to make sure that you wear safety goggles and gloves to protect yourself from the water.
