How to clean paving slabs without a pressure washer
Natural stone paving is known for being hard-wearing. It’s resilient, and that’s what makes it so useful for high-traffic outdoor areas, like driveways, paths and patios. But that’s not to say your paving is immune to garden grime.
In fact, organic materials like moss, leaves, and algae can leave unsightly stains if left too long. Luckily, you don’t need a pressure washer to keep paving looking great: warm soapy water, a stiff brush and a little elbow grease go a long way!
Going pressure-washer-free is kinder to joints and softer stones (like limestone and granite), plus, it’s easier on your water bill. So, if you’re wondering how to clean paving slabs without a pressure washer, your local supplier of top-quality paving has the answer.
Stay with Ovation Landscaping to learn more about our four methods for cleaning natural stone without pressure washing.
Before you start: check your slabs and prepare
Any good clean starts with a health check. The right preparation will protect your slabs and joints in the long term.
Identify your surface: If you didn’t install your paving slabs yourself, first things first: work out whether you’re cleaning porcelain, natural stone (e.g. limestone, sandstone, slate, granite) or concrete.
You’ll want to patch test any of your chosen cleaners on a small, inconspicuous area before completing the clean in full. A caution: natural stones like limestone, slate, and granite are especially sensitive to acid-based cleaners, so we recommend avoiding them altogether.
Clear the space: To clean the whole area, remove any garden furniture or plant pots. Then, sweep away leaves and loose debris and pull out any weeds or moss from the joints (for this, you can find our blog on how to keep weeds/algae out of paving stone joints).
Consider run-off: As you’ll be rinsing later, plan where the dirty water will go. Ideally, it’ll be directed towards a drain, soil or lawn rather than back across the patio. Identify a nearby drainage point and work your way towards it.
Method 1: The routine clean (suitable for most kinds of patios)
What you’ll need:
- Bucket
- Warm water
- Dish soap
- Stiff-bristled brush
The easiest, lowest-maintenance method is to mix warm water with a good squirt of washing-up liquid in a bucket. Just work in small sections, pouring (or mopping) the soapy water on your slabs and leaving it to soak for a few minutes.
Doing this should loosen dirt and algae. Then, scrub diagonally across the joints using a stiff-bristle brush, taking care to be gentle on the jointing compound. Repeat the process in the opposite direction to make sure everything’s fully covered.
Rinse with clean water, directing run-off towards a drain, and let the area dry. If your slabs are still looking dirty, rinse and repeat!
Method 2: Vinegar solution (best for grime and algae)
What you’ll need:
- Water
- White vinegar
- Bucket
- Stiff-bristle brush
When you’re learning how to clean paving slabs without a pressure washer, vinegar might not be the first natural cleanser that comes to mind. But a 50:50 solution of white vinegar and water can be great for shifting ingrained grime and green algae.
First, protect your plants. Vinegar is acidic (though not as acidic as man-made cleansers), so shield nearby foliage and rinse away any splash or run-off with plenty of clean water. A common theme with every method is the need to patch test.
As we mentioned earlier, you should avoid vinegar on natural stone (e.g., limestone, slate, granite) and on unsealed concrete – acids are known for marking these materials. If in doubt, test a hidden corner and continue only if there’s no reaction.
Apply the solution evenly and leave for 20–30 minutes. Work diagonally across the paving with a stiff-bristle brush and rinse to a drain.
Method 3: Bicarbonate spot-treatment
What you’ll need:
- Bicarbonate of soda
- Water
- Stiff-bristle brush
Still stuck with stubborn marks? Make a bicarbonate of soda paste! This gentle, budget-friendly fix is a great way to avoid harsh chemicals while still lifting ingrained dirt.
In a small tub, combine bicarbonate of soda with just enough water to form a thick paste. Dab the paste onto the stain and lightly work it in, but don’t scrub too hard. You don’t want to scour the surface.
Again, scrub diagonally using a stiff-bristle brush and rinse to a drain. Repeat the process for any heavily soiled areas.
Method 4: Specialist cleaners (oil, rust, mould)
When household fixes won’t shift stubborn stains, step up to a specialist patio cleanser.
Match the product to the stain (oil, rust, mould/algae), wear protective gloves and eyewear, and follow the label exactly. Don’t mix products, and always patch-test first!
Shop for top-quality paving stones with Ovation Landscaping!
When you know how to clean paving slabs without a pressure washer, and your slabs are still looking drab, maybe it’s time to upgrade. Our natural stone paving slabs are the best of the best, and we’re offering our top products to customers all around the UK.
Shop for concrete paving in natural colours like terracotta and cobble grey, or lighten up your garden with our porcelain paving slabs in whites and gold. We’ve even got decorative aggregates and jointing products.
FAQs
How often should I deep-clean a patio without a pressure washer?
It depends on the level of vegetation in your garden, but twice a year is a good rhythm. Regular hand cleaning in spring and autumn, along with sweeping the rest of the time, should help maintain long-term durability.
Will vinegar damage my sandstone?
It can. Many experts warn against using acid-based cleaners on natural stone slabs (limestone, slate and granite, specifically), so we recommend avoiding vinegar on these slabs and always patch-testing.
Is steam cleaning safe for porcelain?
Steam can be an effective chemical-free refresh when used carefully.
Do I need to seal porcelain slabs?
No: porcelain typically doesn’t need sealing.
What’s the best way to stop weeds from coming back between slabs?
Keep joints well filled (with jointing sands), pull any seedlings out from the root, and sweep regularly to stop a build-up of debris.