How to Clean a Brick Patio

Co-authored by Mark Spelman

Cleaning your brick patio can be simple and easy with a pressure washer. Rent or buy the machine to spray your patio and remove dirt, mildew and other buildup. To spot clean stained bricks, use a dish washing liquid solution and scrub them thoroughly. Tackle stronger stains with a trisodium phosphate solution.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Setting Up the Pressure Washer

1
Rent or buy a pressure washer. Call a local hardware store or cleaning equipment rental company for prices on pressure washer rentals, which can range from $50 to $100 a day, depending on the machine model and where you live. Ask a store employee to recommend a model that will work best on your brick patio. If you have the money to invest, consider buying your own pressure washer.^{[1]
X
Research source}
- Opt for a gasoline-powered pressure washer over an electric model, which will mean dealing with electrical connections that need to be kept dry and out of the way during cleaning.
2
Put on gloves, old clothes, and waterproof boots with good grip. Always wear old clothes when using a pressure washer, as rocks or debris from the surface of your patio may be propelled upwards by a stream of water when cleaning. Anticipate getting wet during the cleaning process and dress accordingly, in old clothing that you don’t mind getting soaked. Wear waterproof boots or shoes with a good grip (i.e. rubber soles) to avoid slipping during the cleaning process.^{[2]
X
Research source}

Advertisement
3
Set up the pressure washer. Connect a garden hose between your water source and the high pressure hose on the pressure washer. Attach the nozzle securely. Squeeze the trigger on the gun of the machine to release excess air, then turn on the water.^{[3]
X
Research source}
- Most pressure washers come with multiple nozzle attachments.
4
Test the machine. Point the gun of the pressure washer towards a discreet corner of the patio and turn on the machine engine. Spray a quick test stream to gauge the water pressure, and to see if it is strong enough to cause any damage to your patio.^{[4]
X
Research source}
- Always test the least powerful nozzle first, then move to a stronger nozzle if you wish.
- Gas-powered machines will have a stronger spray than electric ones.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using the Pressure Washer

1
Spray the patio. If you are giving your brick patio a basic cleaning, you can use plain water to wash it. If there is a buildup of mildew, grime, or other residue, add detergent to the machine. Apply a gentle stream of soapy water to the patio using a low pressure nozzle, then let it sit for 5-10 minutes to penetrate dirt.
- Only use detergent that is specified for pressure washer use.
- A narrow nozzle will provide a high pressure spray while a wider nozzle will have a lower pressure.
2
Clean the deck from the house, outwards. Using a wide fan nozzle, move and rinse the soap thoroughly to ensure that the patio gets a good cleaning. Always move the stream away from your home, and not towards it, to avoid pushing dirt and debris upwards towards your walls, doors, and windows. Spray in gentle, consistent strokes to avoid leaving stripe markings on the patio.
3
Repeat the process if necessary and let the patio dry. If the brick patio still looks dirty after rinsing, repeat the process by applying more detergent and rinsing again. Continue until you are satisfied with the results. Allow the patio to air dry before putting furniture, plants, or other items back onto it.
4
Remove efflorescence residue. After the patio dries, you may notice a white powdery residue. This residue, called efflorescence, is normal and easily removed by scrubbing it with a cleaning brush and soapy water. Do not attempt to remove the residue with the pressure washer, which will make the problem worse.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Scrubbing Stubborn Stains

1
Make a dish washing liquid solution. Fill a small bucket with warm water. Add 2 tablespoons (29.6 ml) of dish washing liquid and a teaspoon of table salt. Stir the liquid to mix.^{[5]
X
Research source}
2
Apply the soap solution and let it sit for 10 minutes. Dip a clean cloth or rag into the cleaning liquid and wring it out. Rub the solution onto the stained brick with the cloth thoroughly. Let it sit for 10 minutes.^{[6]
X
Research source}
3
Scrub and rinse the brick. Use a stiff bristle brush to scrub the stained areas of the brick. Rinse the brick thoroughly with a clean, wet cloth. Allow the brick to dry.^{[7]
X
Research source}
4
If stains remain, scrub them with trisodium phosphate. In a plastic bucket, mix ½ cup of trisodium phosphate (a heavy duty cleaner available at hardware stores, or online) into a bucket full of hot water. Put on protective gloves (i.e. rubber or latex), safety goggles, and protective clothing. Use a stiff bristle brush to scrub the mixture onto the stained brick, then rinse thoroughly with warm water.^{[8]
X
Research source}
- Patio bricks can also be cleaned with a mixture of oxygen bleach and warm water, in a ratio specified by the manufacturer.
- Keep pets and children away from the area while cleaning with harsh chemicals, which may be dangerous.