Patios take a beating in North Texas: pollen, leaves, grill grease, pet messes, and mildew in the shady corners. A good cleaning makes the whole backyard feel new. Here is how to do it on plain concrete and on pavers.
The Short Answer
To clean a concrete patio, sweep it, pre-treat stains and mildew, then wash it with a pressure washer and a surface cleaner, and rinse. For pavers, use less pressure and avoid blasting the sand out of the joints.
What You Need
- A broom or leaf blower
- A concrete cleaner or degreaser for grease stains
- A pressure washer, ideally with a rotary surface cleaner attachment
- A stiff brush for spot scrubbing
How to Clean a Concrete Patio
1. Clear and sweep
Move furniture, grills, and planters. Sweep or blow off loose debris.
2. Pre-treat problem spots
Apply a degreaser to grill drips and a mildew cleaner to green or black areas. Let it work for a few minutes. Rust stains need their own treatment, see rust stains on concrete.
3. Wash with a surface cleaner
A surface cleaner spins the spray evenly, which avoids the “zebra stripes” a wand leaves on concrete. Work in overlapping passes.
4. Edge and rinse
Clean the edges and corners with the wand, then rinse everything toward the lawn or a drain.
How to Clean Pavers
Pavers need a gentler touch. The sand between them holds the pavers in place and helps keep weeds out.
- Use lower pressure and a wider spray pattern than you would on solid concrete.
- Keep the spray angled so you do not dig out the joint sand.
- After cleaning and drying, check the joints and add polymeric sand where it has washed low.
Special Cases
- Pool decks: keep cleaners out of the pool and rinse well. Slippery algae is a common reason to clean them.
- Pet areas: odors soak into concrete. See pet odor on patios.
- Flagstone: natural stone can be softer than it looks, so use low pressure.
How Often to Clean Your Patio
Once or twice a year keeps most DFW patios looking good. Shaded patios and pool decks grow mildew faster. Our tips on keeping your patio clean all summer help between cleanings.
When to Call a Pro
If you have a large patio, pavers you do not want to disturb, or stubborn stains, professional patio and paver cleaning is often faster and safer. For the driveway too, see driveway cleaning costs.
Ready for a quote? Call 817-580-9881 or request a free estimate online. We serve Arlington, Fort Worth, Dallas, Grand Prairie, Mansfield, and the rest of our DFW service areas.
Related: How to remove algae from concrete
Related: How to clean flagstone and travertine pavers
FAQs
What is the best way to clean a concrete patio?
Sweep it, pre-treat grease and mildew, then wash it with a pressure washer and a rotary surface cleaner for an even, stripe-free finish, and rinse well.
Can you pressure wash pavers?
Yes, but use lower pressure and a wide spray, and avoid blasting the sand out of the joints. Re-sand the joints afterward if needed.
What removes black mildew from a patio?
A cleaner made to kill mildew and algae, applied before washing. Pressure alone often leaves the growth behind.
How often should you clean a patio?
Once or twice a year works for most North Texas patios. Shaded patios and pool decks may need more frequent cleaning.
