When you are looking to keep your pathway or patio clean, there are a few things you need to consider; do you want to just clean the surface, or do you want a cleaner that can also create an invisible barrier, to prevent regrowth of mould? Are you trying to be more environmentally friendly; looking for a bleach and acid free cleaner that will biodegrade with time? You may be looking for a fast-acting cleaner, that will create instant results, rather than purchasing a long acting brand, that will take 2 or 3 days to show its effectiveness.
And of course, the most important factor is, will this particular cleaner be suited to your specific patio? Some cleaners contain bleach, which does not mix well with painted, wooden patios, while other cleaners can have a strong odour, causing more porous patios to absorb the smell.
When looking for a patio cleaner, you will want a strong but non-acidic cleaner, with a low odour, that creates a protective barrier for your patio, without requiring days to work; quite a hefty list for a cleaner!
But what should you look for in a potential patio cleaner?
Our top pick
Smartseal Drive Clean Xtreme
Labelled as a very powerful cleaner, this product is indeed value for money; it removed a great deal of moss from our wooden patio and, in comparison to the other cleaners, was very fast acting. Suitable for all types of patios, this managed to remove more dense populations of vegetation, without leaving a spot or stain in sight. It also promises protection against regrowth of moss, algae and mould.
However, it is hard to overlook that this cleaner is a bit more toxic than the other brands. It stained clothing (similar to bleach spots) and should not be used around children or pets, as it has a very strong smell and obviously, it contains a type of bleach. It is also not safe to use near plants, so you may need to rearrange your patio before use if you are proud of your begonias!
- Powerful and effective driveway cleaner
- Remove black spot from block paving, concrete or natural stone
- With four powerful active ingredients, including a biocide to inhibit future growth
- Cleans driveway often avoiding the need for pressure washing
- 5 litres of product will clean and treat approximately 40 m²
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Price
Of course, budget is a huge factor in almost everything these days, and, if you have a small patio that you will only use in the summer, you don’t want to be splashing out excess amounts.
Try to ensure that any patio cleaner you buy contains enough detergent to clean your entire patio area; sound obvious, but many people opt for the cheaper cleaners to then realise that there isn’t enough to clean their patio even once.
Similarly, if you are stuck between 2 brands, explore if there is a tester amount available and try them both on one of the more troublesome parts of your patio. That way, you can assess which is better for your patio, without spending a fortune!
Acidity levels
You want your patio to be clean, but you don’t want spotting, or a cleaner with an acidity level that can strip off varnish or any other finishes.
Always read the acidity level of a cleaner and assess its suitability for your patio; may cleaners contain very low levels of acids (if any) but, the results that are predicted are often based on untreated woods or stone. Make sure that the cleaner is compatible with any varnish or finishes on your patio, to avoid bleach marks, spotting or even complete removal of the finish!
Pet/child friendly
Do you have children or pets? Do your grandchildren regularly visit your garden?
If so, you will obviously be looking for a cleaner that does not pose a threat to their health. Most cleaners are designed with both children and pets in mind, but remember, never make assumptions with cleaning chemicals, and ensure that any patio cleaner you choose is safe for use around your children or four legged friends. If a cleaner is labelled as hazardous or as an irritant, it is likely to be detrimental to children and pets, so best to move on to another brand.
Plants
Similar to not spraying weed killer onto your beloved jasmine plant, if your patio has plants on it or around it, then check how any potential cleaner is likely to react with foliage.
Remember, chemicals cannot distinguish between plants and weeds, so even if all the plants are removed from the patio, the surrounding ones may still be at risk. Similarly, if you have a pond or water feature in your garden, you will want to avoid contaminating these areas too.
If in doubt, look for a patio cleaner that contains probiotics; these are rarely harmful to plants and water features and can be used around children and pets too. Always check the label to be 100% certain!
Biodegradable
Regardless of how careful you are when you clean your patio, it is highly likely that there will be some run off, which may affect the surrounding grasses, plants or soil.
Unless your garden is completely paved, it is worth investing in a biodegradable cleaner, which will pose no issues to surrounding vegetation or soils. Once again, many biodegradable cleaners are also safe to use around water features like ponds and are often safe to use near pets and children.
Multi-surface
If you are using a patio cleaner, chances are you have tried everything to remove those pesky moss spots or lichens from growing on your patio.
But moss and lichens rarely stick to one material, so to speak, and so, your moss spots on your patio may spread to surrounding brick work, stone or fencing. Therefore, what you need is a multipurpose cleaner, to keep your garden looking spic and span.
Manufacturers of patio cleaners are well aware of how versatile moss is at growing on different surfaces. Therefore, many patio cleaners are designed to be gentle enough to use on stonework, bricks and different types of wood. But, as always, remember to check that your chosen cleaner is suited and designed for use on the myriad of different surfaces you may have in your garden. If you are unsure, always test a potential cleaner on an inconspicuous spot first and then assess its suitability.
What we did
To ensure that you get the best cleaner for your patio, we purchased the 5 cleaners listed below and tested them on a wooden patio, which was varnished with a clear, gloss varnish. This patio had different foliage types growing on it, specifically moss. We also used the cleaners on surrounding fencing which had green mould growing across it, to assess suitability for different surfaces.
Stone and brick work were also treated with the cleaners and, overall, we examined each of the washes for their suitability to use around plants, children and animals as well as the acidity levels and prices of each of the cleaners.
Below are the brand names of the five cleaners we tried on our moss-covered patio and here is what we found!
ULTIMA-PLUS XP Patio Cleaner – Super Concentrate
A very concentrated liquid, this cleaner can make up to 50 litres of patio cleaner, so it is good value for money. Suitable for all surfaces, it can clean tiles, wood and concrete, so you can use it to clean walls and fences too!
It is also biodegradable, has a low level of acidity and is totally safe for use around children and pets once dried. So, overall very good for the environment. It is also great for preventing regrowth of moss or mould!
But, if you are looking for a ‘quick results’ patio cleaner, this may not be the one for you; it takes between 2-3 days to work and, while powerful, comes with instructions suggesting to not apply it on a hot day or when rain is scheduled within the next 8 hours, which, depending on your climate, is unhelpful.
- The most powerful and concentrated patio cleaner on the market
- Their super concentrated formula means you only need 1L of solution per 9L of water.
- Perfect for use on patios, decking, fencing, paths, driveways, roofs, sheds, greenhouses and lots more
- Penetrates your outdoor surfaces creating an invisible barrier which will help to prevent re-growth for up to 6 MONTHS!
- 100% SAFE: Biodegradable. pH8. Non-caustic, no acid, no bleach and is totally safe for use around children & pets once the area has dried.
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Patio Magic Patio Cleaner
This cleaner is very reasonably priced and, while it cannot clean as large of an area as other cleaners, it is hard to look past the value for money that you get.
It is non-acidic, biodegradable and can remove moss and algae from wooden to concrete patios, so it is perfect for the majority of gardens. No scrubbing required; you just spray it on and walk away, leaving it to work its magic, which can take up to 4 days. It is safe to use around pets and children (once dry) and can be used on pre-treated surfaces without leaving stains or marks.
While concentrated as product, it is not as successful as other brands at removing very dense populations of algae, moss or lichens as advertised. If you need to remove a thick area of mixed plants, this may not be for you.
- Ready to use hard surface cleaner that kills and controls green mould, algae and lichens
- Battery operated Power Sprayer for easy application; 4x duracell AA batteries included
- Just spray and leave; no scrubbing
- For use on outdoor paved areas, patios, paths, driveways and walls, greenhouse or conservatory glass, perspex and garden furniture
- Visible results in 2-4 days
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Smartseal Drive Clean Xtreme
Labelled as a very powerful cleaner, this product is indeed value for money; it removed a great deal of moss from our wooden patio and, in comparison to the other cleaners, was very fast acting. Suitable for all types of patios, this managed to remove more dense populations of vegetation, without leaving a spot or stain in sight. It also promises protection against regrowth of moss, algae and mould.
However, it is hard to overlook that this cleaner is a bit more toxic than the other brands. It stained clothing (similar to bleach spots) and should not be used around children or pets, as it has a very strong smell and obviously, it contains a type of bleach. It is also not safe to use near plants, so you may need to rearrange your patio before use if you are proud of your begonias!
- Powerful and effective driveway cleaner
- Remove black spot from block paving, concrete or natural stone
- With four powerful active ingredients, including a biocide to inhibit future growth
- Cleans driveway often avoiding the need for pressure washing
- 5 litres of product will clean and treat approximately 40 m²
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Pro-Kleen Patio Cleaner
Another reasonably priced patio cleaner that is bleach free, this product boasts easy application and long-term results, due to its ability to prevent regrowth of all types of vegetation, while also cleaning your patio.
Safe for use around pets and children, it is also biodegradable and is even safe if accidently sprayed onto plants. It takes up to 4 days to work but, there is a noticeable reduction in moss in the areas it has been applied to. It is hard to say whether it would work on more dense areas, but for mild to moderate patches of moss, it appears to work well.
However, while it is unwise to use an industrial cleaner without proper hand protection, if this product is spilled onto hands or there is spray back, it can cause a burning sensation, which is odd and very uncomfortable.
- The best-selling Simply Spray & Walk Away is now available in a ready to use formula!
- Ideal for outdoor and indoor surfaces including patios, fencing, roofs, upvc windows, boats, caravans, motor homes, sheds, decking and driveways and most outdoor surfaces
- Non-acidic, contains no bleach, no shelf life, biodegradable and children and pets need not be excluded from treated areas (once dry)
- Retreatment may be required on heavily affected areas
- For best results and optimum coverage, spray on with a low pressure garden sprayer then walk away! Start to see results in a few days that last for months..
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Jarder Decking Cleaner
Biodegradable, bleach free and preventing regrowth of all vegetation, this reasonably priced product is also child/pet friendly and shows results in 2-3 days.
Suitable for use on a myriad of surfaces, this cleaner appears to be good at removing mould, moss and algae and does not create an unpleasant smell with application.
However, it appears to have a superior effect on wood over stone, so may be more suited to wooden patios than stone or brick ones; the moss on the wood died quickly, whereas the moss on the stone section of the patio is dead, but took a longer time and reapplication to die.
- CLEANS WITH NO EFFORT: Jarder Spray And Leave Kills All Green Mould Moss & Algae With Ease, Without The Need For Scrubbing Or Pressure Washing! Simply Mix, Spray & Walk Away - Works Like Magic!
- SUPER CONCENTRATE: One 5 Litre Bottle Of Jarder Spray & Leave Makes A Minimum Of 30 Litres Of Solution Covering A Huge 240m² Area - Jarder Spray & Leave Is a Maximum Strength Super Concentrate Boasting 50% More Active Ingredient Than Other Brands!
- ALL HARD SURFACES: Perfect For Use On Decking, Patios, Fencing, Paths, Driveways, Roofs, Sheds, Greenhouses, Garden Statues, Terracotta Pots, UPVC Windows, Boats, Caravans, Motor Homes And All Indoor & Outdoor Hard Surfaces Affected By Moss, Mould and Algae.
- PREVENTS REGROWTH: Once Treated Results Will Show In 2-3 Days. Spray & Leave Penetrates Your Outdoor Surfaces Creating An Invisible Barrier Which Will Help To Prevent Re-Growth For Up To Six Months!
- 100% SAFE & GUARANTEED RESULTS: Biodegradable PH8; Non-Caustic, No Acid & No Bleach! Jarder Spray & Leave Is Totally Safe For Children & Pets Once The Area Is Dried. Prepare To Be Amazed!
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Our conclusion of the best Patio Cleaner
If you have a minimalist garden, without plants or pets, then the Smartseal Patio clean is likely to be the best of these cleaners for your patio.
However, if you need an effective but bleach free/child friendly cleaner, which provides noticeable results on any patio surface, the Ultima-Plus showed the best all around results. Just make sure that when you apply it, there is a clement weather forecast and allow sufficient time for it to take effect on your patio.
