I jet washed my patio but it still looked dirty – luckily gardening gurus shared a 55p hack with ‘no scrubbing involved'

The Sun

11-05-2025

IS your patio covered in stubborn black spots that just won't shift?
And have you splashed loads of cash on a posh pressure washer, but have had no success?
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Well, with spring officially in full swing and the weather heating up, if you're on a mission to give your patio a glow up, you've come to the right place.
One anonymous user was left scratching his head when he jet washed his patio, only for it to still be a total state.
As a result, the man took to social media, desperate for advice on how to get his outside space sparkling.
Posting on Reddit, on the r/GardeningUK thread, the man, who posts under the username @Jimi-K-101, shared snaps of his grubby patio.
Alongside this, he wrote: 'Concrete patio slabs still look like this after thoroughly power washing.
'Would a liquid patio cleaner help, or do I just need a more powerful power washer?'
Luckily for this man, numerous gardening enthusiasts quickly flocked to the comments, eager to share their advice on how to transform a grubby patio - and not only is it purse-friendly, but there's no scrubbing involved.
One user suggested: 'Try Patio Magic - dilute and spray on when dry and then let the sunlight do the rest - it's about £10 from Wilko / B&Q. It really does work.'
A second recommended: 'Use a mixture of vinegar and Borax. It will look brand new and will not hurt any vegetation in the area. Plus? Will repel any bugs or what not naturally.'
Whilst someone else advised: 'Maybe scrub down with a stiff brush first.'
Gardening pro reveals savvy £12 hack that can transform your patio - it works like magic and will make sure it's always kept tidy
Despite numerous very effective tips and tricks, at the same time, many users suggested using bleach to ensure a patio looks super fresh.
One person said: 'I used bleach. Get the cheapest Tesco or Aldi stuff.
'Spread it quickly but do not scrub it in. Just pour it over the area. Leave it for an hour or two.
'Wash it off with a hose. Key point is not to scrub it.'
Another added: 'Use cheap bleach, undiluted. Leave it on.'
A third commented: 'Scrubbed mine with a brush and bleach water solution. Can't say if that's the best way to do things but it worked pretty good.'
Following the overwhelming advice to use bleach, the user later explained: 'Thanks for replying. I used bleach in the end…seems to have worked well.'
If you fancy giving this trick a try, you'll find bleach from as little as 55p from Tesco.
What do the experts say?
According to the pros, bleach is a powerful, cheap, and quick way to kill moss, algae, and lichen and many have recognised that it works fast on stubborn stains.
However, users should know that bleach can damage plants, erode grout, and harm certain paving materials like limestone.
While bleach is known to be particularly effective at lifting stains around the house, it can cause some issues when used excessively on patio tiles
Molly Woodward-Moor
Bleach also has strong fumes and can be bad for the environment and your health.
Not only this, but Molly Woodward-Moor, creative director at Stone Superstore, exclusively told Fabulous: 'While bleach is known to be particularly effective at lifting stains around the house, it can cause some issues when used excessively on patio tiles.
Top 5 Spring Gardening Jobs
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Nick Grey, Gtech Inventor and CEO shared the tasks to crack on with as Spring arrives.
1. Clean your garden
Make sure to clear away all leaves, soil and plant debris from your patios and flower beds; this creates a healthier environment for new growth, especially as we get into the summer months. Gtech's Garden Safety Kit includes durable gardening gloves and safety glasses; perfect for comfortability whilst tackling those outdoor tasks.
2. Weeding
Early Spring is the best time to tackle weeds; if you can introduce some regular weeding into your routine, you can guarantee a tidy garden all year round.
3. Hedge maintenance
Spring is the ideal time to tidy up overgrown hedges and shrubs, as regular trimming ensures healthy growth and reduces pest issues. Using a tool like the Gtech Lightweight Hedge Trimmer can help to keep your greenery looking sharp and neat.
4. Composting
Starting a compost heap this spring is a pro-active, cost-effective way to harness nutritious soil for your plants and recycle organic waste that will benefit the overall health of your greenery and foliage.
5. Look after your lawn
Lawn care is hugely important in assuring your garden stays looking beautiful. Make sure to rake away any excess leaves and trim your grass routinely.
'Bleach is a harsh chemical that can damage natural stone tiles by slowly stripping the surface which can then permanently mark or weaken your tiles.
'And even through porcelain paving tiles are extremely durable, it's still best to avoid using chemical cleaners containing ammonia, bleach or acids, that can slowly fade tile and grout colour.
As a result, you should always test a small area first and wear protective clothing when using it.