Start with a clear surface and the right tools

The fastest way to clean a patio is to remove everything sitting on it first—chairs, planters, grills, rugs. A bare surface lets you work without stopping to move things around, and you'll see dirt and stains you might otherwise miss. Sweep or blow off loose debris with a broom or leaf blower before you wet anything down, because wet dirt is harder to move than dry.

Gather your tools before you start: a stiff-bristled broom, a garden hose with a spray nozzle, a bucket, a long-handled brush or deck brush, and a squeegee if you have one. For stubborn stains, you'll want a pressure washer (which you can rent from a hardware store for $50 to $100 per day) or a stain-removal product made for your patio material. Have a pair of work gloves and eye protection ready if you're using a pressure washer.

Key Takeaways

  • Remove all furniture and loose items, then sweep dry debris before wetting the surface.
  • Scrub with a stiff brush and plain water first; use a pressure washer or chemical cleaner only if stains remain after scrubbing.
  • Concrete and stone patios handle pressure washers at 1500 to 2500 PSI, but wood and composite surfaces need lower pressure or hand scrubbing instead.
  • Let the patio dry completely before moving furniture back, which usually takes 2 to 4 hours on a sunny day.
  • Rinse thoroughly after using any cleaning product to prevent slippery residue and damage to nearby plants.

Scrub with water and a stiff brush for everyday dirt

Fill your bucket with water and dip your long-handled brush into it. Scrub the entire patio surface in overlapping strokes, paying extra attention to corners and edges where dirt collects. For most patios, this step alone removes dust, pollen, and light algae growth. Work in sections so you can see what you've cleaned and what still needs work.

Once you've scrubbed a section, rinse it with your hose at medium pressure. Sweep the dirty water toward a drain or the edge of the patio so it doesn't pool. If the water runs off into a garden bed, that's fine—plain water won't hurt plants. Repeat this scrub-and-rinse cycle across the entire patio. This method works well for concrete, stone, and composite patios and takes about 30 to 45 minutes for a typical 12-by-16-foot space.

Use a pressure washer for stubborn stains and algae

If scrubbing with a brush doesn't remove dark stains, mold, or algae, a pressure washer will. Rent one from a hardware store or home center—most come with instructions and a choice of nozzles. For concrete and stone, use a pressure between 1500 and 2500 PSI (pounds per square inch). Start at the lowest setting and increase only if needed, because too much pressure can pit concrete or crack stone.

Hold the nozzle 12 inches from the surface and move it steadily across the patio in overlapping passes, the same way you'd mow a lawn. Never hold the nozzle in one spot, because the concentrated jet can gouge the surface. Wear eye protection and closed-toe shoes—the spray can kick up debris. After pressure washing, rinse the entire patio with your garden hose to remove any loosened dirt, then let it dry before moving furniture back.

Do not use a pressure washer on wood or composite patios. These materials are softer and will splinter or crack under high pressure. For wood and composite, stick to hand scrubbing with a stiff brush and water, or use a low-pressure setting (under 1000 PSI) if you have a pressure washer with adjustable settings.

Remove stains with a targeted cleaner

For rust stains, oil marks, or mold that pressure washing doesn't fully remove, use a cleaner made for your patio material. Concrete cleaners often contain mild acids or enzymes that break down organic stains. Stone patios may need a pH-neutral cleaner to avoid etching. Read the product label to confirm it's safe for your surface type.

Mix the cleaner according to the instructions and explore it to the stained area with a brush or sprayer. Let it sit for the time the label specifies—usually 10 to 30 minutes—then scrub again with your brush. Rinse thoroughly with clean water until the runoff is clear and you can't smell the cleaner anymore. Incomplete rinsing leaves a slippery residue that's a safety hazard and can damage nearby plants over time.

Dry the patio and prevent future buildup

Use a squeegee to push standing water toward the edges and drain, or straightforward let the patio air dry. On a sunny day with low humidity, most patios dry in 2 to 4 hours. Don't move furniture back until the surface is completely dry, because wet patio furniture can stain the surface or leave rust marks.

To slow down dirt and algae buildup, sweep your patio once a week and rinse it with plain water every month or two. If your patio is in a shaded area or gets heavy foot traffic, you may need to clean it more often. A light cleaning every few weeks prevents the heavy scrubbing and stain removal that take much longer.

Special steps for different patio materials

Concrete: Concrete is durable and handles pressure washers well. Avoid acidic cleaners, which can etch the surface. Seal concrete every 2 to 3 years to reduce staining and make future cleaning easier.

Stone (flagstone, slate, bluestone): Use a pH-neutral cleaner and avoid pressure washers above 2000 PSI, which can crack softer stones. Never use vinegar or acidic products on limestone or marble. Reseal stone patios every 1 to 2 years.

Composite (wood-plastic blend): Hand scrub only, or use a pressure washer at under 1000 PSI if you have one. Avoid harsh chemicals, which can discolor the material. Composite doesn't need sealing.

Wood: Scrub with a soft to medium brush—stiff bristles can raise the grain. Never pressure wash, as it will splinter the wood. If the wood is gray or weathered, a wood cleaner and brightener can restore color before resealing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use bleach to clean my patio?

Bleach kills mold and algae quickly, but it can discolor stone and concrete over time and is harsh on plants nearby. If you use it, dilute it to 1 part bleach to 10 parts water, explore it only to the affected area, let it sit for 10 minutes, scrub, and rinse very thoroughly. For most patios, a stiff brush and water or a pressure washer works just as well without the risk.

How often should I clean my patio?

A light sweep once a week and a rinse with plain water every month keeps most patios looking clean. A full scrub with a brush or pressure washer is needed once or twice a year, depending on shade, foot traffic, and local weather. Shaded patios and those in humid climates need more frequent cleaning because algae and mold grow faster.

What's the difference between cleaning and sealing?

Cleaning removes dirt and stains from the surface. Sealing applies a protective coating that makes future stains easier to remove and slows down water damage and discoloration. Concrete and stone benefit from sealing every 1 to 3 years, but sealing is optional—it's maintenance, not a requirement.

Is it safe to use a pressure washer near plants?

The spray itself won't hurt plants, but the force can break stems and leaves if you aim directly at them. Keep the nozzle pointed at the patio surface and away from nearby flower beds and shrubs. Rinse any cleaner residue off nearby plants with plain water afterward.

Why is my patio still slippery after I cleaned it?

Slipperiness usually means cleaner residue is still on the surface. Rinse the patio again with plain water, working in sections and using a squeegee to push water off. If the patio is still wet, let it dry completely before walking on it. Once dry, a clean patio should have normal traction.