Best Patio Cleaner for Block Paving, Concrete and Natural Stone
Cleaning paving slabs on a patio can be a nightmare if you don’t use the right patio cleaner. Cleaning natural stone patios are even more challenging as the porous surface of sandstone or limestone paving is a magnet for moss, algae, mold and lichen. A good patio cleaner is essential if you want your paving slabs or block-paved patio to look like new.
Green algae on a patio is easy to clean off or remove. Moss-Go will kill green algae instantly, which will break down naturally and wash away with rain. Green algae will always grow and spread on a porous patio as the water content in the substrate makes it easy for algae to thrive. Use Moss-Go’s powerful algae-killing biocide formula to kill green algae, mold or mildew on a porous patio surface.
Moss-Go can remove even the most stubborn and ingrained dirt from very dirty patios with black spots, a very aggressive form of lichen. This patio cleaner is great for block paving, granite sets, flagstones and other patio surfaces.
If you are cleaning patio slabs, Moss-Go is the best product to make old patio surfaces look new.
Choosing the Right Patio Cleaner
Choosing the right patio cleaner can be a nightmare with so many options out there. If you have a porous surface, look for a cleaner that can penetrate deep into the surface to remove dirt and grime.
And also consider the environmental impact of the cleaner. Look for an eco-friendly and biodegradable one like Moss-Go, which is safe to use around plants and pets.
How to Clean Your Patio and Remove Patio Black Spot & Algae with Patio Cleaning Products
In this guide I will show you step by step how to clean patios and remove black spots from sandstone and natural stone to make your patio look like new. At the end of this simple process your paving or patio slabs will be dirt free, algae free, black spot free and lichen free! With the right patio cleaner and a little knowledge patio cleaning and black spot removal is easy.
In the past keeping a patio clean was a chore, especially if it was sandstone or Indian sandstone. Very few cleaning products were effective as a patio black spot remover and even algae and general dirt required pressure washing to keep them under control. But jet washing can be time consuming and damaging to the pointing and makes the paving slabs more porous and prone to contaminants. This is especially true for patios laid with sandstone slabs.
Algae and lichen love porous surfaces so you need to clean annually.
The most annoying part is spending hours cleaning your patio and then it looks dirty again within a few months. But don’t worry! At the end of this guide I will share simple maintenance tips that will take 10 to 20 minutes a couple of times a year to keep your patio looking great all year round.
Technologically advanced patio cleaners like Moss-Go now provide an easy and highly effective solution. These powerful formulas contain active ingredients that will quickly remove black spots, dirt and algae from not only sandstone but also limestone, flagstones, terracotta, granite, porcelain, block paving and paving slabs.
Patio Cleaning Methods
There have been many ways to clean patios over the years:
- Pressure Washing: This method uses a high pressure jet of water to remove dirt and grime from the patio surface. But it can be harsh on some surfaces and requires special equipment.
- Chemical Cleaning: You need to choose a cleaner specifically for your patio surface like Moss-Go and follow the instructions carefully. Historically many people have used sodium hypochlorite to clean patios, but this chemical formula is damaging to many stone surfaces on application and actually removes a small layer of stone which in turn opens up cracks, so your surface will be more prone to algal regrowth.
- Manual Cleaning: This method involves brushing the patio surface, but it’s time consuming and laborious with poor results. Motorised brushes can also damage the stone surface and leave scratch marks after use.
- Steam Cleaning: This method uses steam to remove dirt and grime from the patio surface. It’s a gentle and effective method but expensive and requires specialist training.
The Patio Cleaning and Black Spot Removal Process with Moss-Go
Sweep away any surface debris and remove pots or garden furniture. To avoid damaging grass or plants, spend a few minutes hosing down areas where Moss-Go will run off. This will dilute any residue so it won’t harm. Wear old clothes, boots, waterproof gloves and protective goggles if you are applying the product with a garden sprayer.
Regular sweeping and cleaning is key to preventing green growth, algae and other organic matter from establishing themselves on patio surfaces, for both aesthetic and safety reasons.
Before applying Moss-Go, lightly dampen the patio slabs with water. This allows the cleaner to stay on the surface rather than soaking into the stone and becoming ineffective. If the stone dries out quickly the cleaner will be less effective.
Moss-Go contains no acid or other ingredients that can discolour or damage limestone, terracotta, sandstone or granite.
Apply Moss-Go at 2ltrs mixed with 3ltrs of water in a watering can or sprayer and apply directly to the affected area.
After application leave the area and agitate with a stiff brush after 24hours. The blackspots should have broken down and brush off easily.
If the black spots are stubborn here’s what you can do:
- After 5 to 10 minutes of Moss-Go being on the surface, work it into the paving with a stiff broom. You’ll see the blackspots start to break down as the product works.
- Repeat this process periodically while keeping the stones slightly damp and all blackspots should disappear.
- If the blackspots are really tough re-apply Moss-Go or apply it undiluted.
For heavy infestations you may need to use a pressure washer after the product has been applied. In some cases the dirt, blackspots and algae has built up over several years but once removed maintaining a clean patio is easy. Just apply Moss-Go when the patio starts to look dirty or green.
Do not use sodium hypochlorite to remove blackspots as this will damage the stone surface.
Safety Precautions for Patio Cleaning
Patio cleaning can be a dangerous task especially when using chemical cleaners or pressure washers. Here are some safety precautions:
- Wear Protective Gear: Wear gloves, safety glasses and a mask to protect yourself from chemical splashes and debris.
- Read the Instructions: Follow the instructions on the product label carefully and make sure you understand the recommended dilution ratio and application method.
- Test a Small Area: Before applying the product to the whole patio test a small area to make sure it won’t damage the surface.
- Don’t use High-Pressure Washers on Porous Surfaces: High-pressure washers can damage porous surfaces like natural stone or concrete. Use a gentle cleaning method or a low-pressure washer.
- Keep Children and Pets Away: Keep children and pets away from the patio area while cleaning to avoid accidents and exposure to chemicals.
- Don’t use Black Algae Removers on Outdoor Surfaces: Black algae removers can damage outdoor surfaces like wood or metal. Use a gentle cleaner like Moss-Go which is nonacidic and non-caustic and designed for outdoor surfaces.
Maintenance Tips
Weather and location will determine how often you need to clean your patio. North facing properties that are damp and get less sun may need to be treated 2 to 3 times a year, South facing properties may only need to be treated once a year after winter.
Some patio seals can last up to 10 years providing long lasting protection from the elements. Moss-Go is safe to use on a patio that has a patio sealer applied. Many other products on the market contain aggressive chemicals that will break the chemical bonds within the seal, Moss-Go patio cleaner does not do this.
This should give you the confidence that no matter how dirty your patio is, with a bit of time and elbow grease you can get great results. Even the most stubborn black spots on sandstone, Indian sandstone, natural stone or paving slabs can be removed with Moss-Go. Advanced patio cleaning products now mean you won’t damage the surface – only improve it.
If you’re not sure how to use Moss-Go patio cleaner or would like one to one technical advice just get in touch and a member of our technical team will help you.