How To Clean Brick Patio – Essential Products & Tools

Introduction

There are many ways to maintain your pavement, but how to clean your brick patio effectively depends on your cleaning methods. Brick patios enhance curb appeal and boost the value of your property; they also have a calming effect. But the atmosphere becomes less exciting when they are covered in dust or dirt.

Brick patio is a strong and attractive paving option. It’s sometimes the first choice for driveways, garden paths, and pool surrounds. But it needs to be maintained, your brick patio needs cleaning every two months. Although frequent sweeping will remove specks of dirt, but it won’t clear the mold, oil stains, food spills, and weeds surrounding your patio.

Here’s a free tip – cleaning your brick patio doesn’t require much time and energy. In this simple guide, we explain the best cleaning options for your brick patio. If you want to achieve a spotless brick surface and a relaxing environment safe for you, your plants, and the soil, this step-by-step guide is for you!

How to Clean Your Brick Patio

Pressure washers offer the best cleaning practices for strong stains and build-ups. Here is a step-by-step guide for pressure washing your brick patio without destroying the surface.

Step One

Remove your furniture and any object on your patio that can get dirty while trying to clean. Sweep the surface with a broom to remove dirt, and it’s from the surface of your deck.

Step Two

Connect your pressure washer to a garden hose and use a cleaning solution specifically formulated for pressure washers. Turn on the water supply and set the pressure washer; start with the lowest pressure and test on a small area.

Step Three

Start cleaning from the edge of the patio and to the center; you can increase the pressure when you get to areas of tough buildup or stains.

Step Four

When you are done pressure washing with a cleaning solution, empty the cleaning solution and rinse the patio surface with clean water.

Step Five

Ensure your brick patio dries off completely before you return any furniture to your patio.

Further reading: How to Clean Brick Patios & Walkways with a Pressure Washer

How to Clean a Brick Paved Area

How to Clean a Brick Patio Without a Pressure Washer

A pressure washer makes cleaning patios effective and fast; however, if you can’t afford to purchase or rent one, you can clean your patio with a scrub brush or a sponge. Our step-by-step brick patio guide will help you achieve a spotless wash without a pressure washer. 

Further reading: How to Clean Pavers – Tips for cleaning Patio or Driveway

Step one

Start by removing any furniture and sweep the floor. Ensure you clear off every debris; leaves; dirt, dust, and leaves before washing.

Step Two

Spray the patio with a garden hose and pretreat any build-up. You can do this by mixing water with any safe cleaning deter. Allow it to sit for about ten minutes before you scrub it.

Step Four

Scrub out the entire patio, including crevices and corners, to ensure you are not leaving dirt behind.

Step Five

Rinse the patio with a garden hose. Ensure your patio is spotless; if you spot any dirt or drains. Repeat the process in that area and rinse again.

Step Six

Most patios are sealed immediately after installation. If you haven’t sealed yours, you can do it after your patio has dried. Sealing will protect it from stains and buildups. If you have sealed your patio before, but you keep seeing stains, the first sealing didn’t sit well. Seal it again and allow it to dry before you return your patio’s furniture.

How to Clean Your Brick Patio With Vinegar

It doesn’t take much to get your brick patio, parking lot, or walkway back to its best form. Vinegar can help you achieve your cleaning goals and work on a budget. To start cleaning your brick patio, you must first;

1. Move furniture away and sweep the entire floor. Clean off cobwebs, dirt, or grime away from your patio surface.
2. Mix one cup of vinegar and a gallon of water in a bucket.
3. To start cleaning, dip a sponge or scrub brush in the bucket and scrub the floor. Start from the edge of the patio and gently walk in.
4. If you find stains or buildup on the brick, Soak the build-up with a washing solution to allow it to sit in for ten minutes.
5. When you are done scrubbing the entire brick surface, rinse the surface with a garden hose and allow it to dry before you return your patio furniture in.

Further reading: How to Remove Oil Stains from an Asphalt Driveway

How to Clean Your Brick Patio with Bleach

Contrary to popular belief, removing debris and dirt from your brick doesn’t have to cost so much. Simple kitchen cleaning solutions can help you get rid of stains without causing any harm to your patio surface. With bleach and a few steps, you can get a spotless surface.

1. Begin by sweeping the brick patio. Remove dirt and loose debris from the surface.
2. In a bucket, mix a solution of 1:1 ratio of bleach and warm water. You may need several buckets to clean the entire floor before you start.
3. Pour your bleach and water solution over the surface and allow the bleach to sit in for some minutes.
4. Using a sponge or scrub brush, scrub the entire surface. You can start from the edge and find your way to the end. Get into the nooks and crannies, and don’t miss any spot.
5. Rinse the patio with a garden hose and allow it to dry.

How To Clean Mold Off Brick Patio

To begin, you will need to prepare your cleaning solution. A pressure washer is the quickest and easiest method of removing mold from your brick patio. However, you can still achieve an effective removal when you do it manually.

1. After removing the dirt and objects from your patio, scrub the affected surface until you clear the mold away. 
2. When you are done scrubbing, connect a garden hose and rinse the debris and cleaning solution away.
3. You will need a substance that can kill the organism from the surface and prevent them from growing again. We recommend using bleach if you can’t get your hands on any other good solution. Mix one part bleach and four part water in a bucket.
4. Spray the solution on the floor, allow it to sit for some minutes, and then scrub the brick surface again.
5. Rinse the surface and check for any area that hasn’t been cleaned thoroughly. If you find any, repeat the process and rinse all over again.
6. Finally, allow the surface to dry.

Related Articles:

• Cheap Patio Paver Ideas
• Limestone Paving for Patios and Driveways
• Sandstone Paving

How To Clean An Old Brick Patio

Basic routine cleaning will keep your brick patio clean for an extended period. However, you will need to increase your cleaning frequency when it starts to mature. These few steps will leave your old patio looking new again.

1. Start by sweeping the surface of the patios with a broom. If weeds grow in the joint, pick it out before you clean. Remove any form of debris from your patio surface.

• In a bucket, mix warm water and any mild cleaning solution thoroughly. Dip a scrub or brush in the prepared solution and scrub the floor gently. Ensure you clean every crevice and edge well.

• Turn on your water source and connect a garden hose. Rinse your patio and ensure you rinse off every dirt.

• Apply a sealant on your old brick patio to protect the surface from stains and boost the integrity of the brick surface. A sealant will add to the brick curb appeal of your deck.  

How to Clean Brick Patios Without Harming Plants

To clean your bricks effectively without harming your plants, pets, or kids, you will have to use an eco-friendly cleaning solution. Vinegar not distilled with petroleum, baking soda, or dishwashers is mild and safe for your plants and soil.

• Sweep the surface of your patio and ensure you remove any loose dirt or debris. 
• Mix warm water and your dishwater in a bucket if you choose vinegar.  Mix the cleaning solution in water and mix thoroughly.
• Dip your scrub brush or sponge into the bucket and scrub the surface of your patio. For stain or buildup, spray baking soda and mix with water and allow to sit for ten minutes before scribing.
• Rinse the brick and allow the patio to dry before use.

Further reading: How to Clean a Concrete Patio

Best Products To Clean a Brick Patio

Here are list of our recommended cleaning products for your brick patios.

• Artisan 1-gal. Poly Haze Remover: does not contain hydrochlorides acid, muriatic acid, nitric, or sulphuric acid. It’s effective in removing stubborn poly haze and restoring the natural color of your pavers in no time.

• Professional Pool and Deck Scrub Brush: This brush has tough plastic fibers that effectively remove tough stains.

• 1 gal. Concrete Cleaner Mold and Mildew Remover: with mold armor, you don’t have to scrub the floor to destroy molds from your patio. Mold armor kills molds and mildew in minutes.

• 30 Seconds 64 oz. Outdoor Ready-To-Spray Cleaner: The 30 Second ready to clean solution is safe around plants, lawns, and any form of landscape. This product doesn’t require you to rinse after spraying.

• 1 gal. Concentrated Concrete and Brick Efflorescence Remover: foundation armor is safe for use on bricks and concrete. It cleans deep within crevices and is easy to apply.

Conclusion

If you want to increase the value of your property, you will have to keep up with routine maintenance. Your brick patio doesn’t require much effort to make it spotless, but it doesn’t require your commitment. Make sure you thoroughly sweep the brick surface before you begin washing and allow your patio to dry before you return your furniture.