Is your patio just as dirty after winter?
Then let’s get to spring cleaning.
And it's super easy.
Knew how!
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When the first frosts come in autumn, things sometimes have to be done quickly and patio furniture and plants quickly move into the warmer area.
At best, the terrace will remain unattended all winter long when it is cleared of the coarsest leaves.
In spring this usually takes its toll with an unsightly coating of unappetizing algae, worse still fine dust and the joints become mossy.
Green soap like the one in the video is one option, but not the quickest or most effective.
This article will tell you how you can get your terrace ready for spring again in a flash.
The first step to a sparkling clean terrace is to remove the worst dirt.
If this has become really stuck due to the weather over the winter season, a broom won't be of much help.
Electric patio brush
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Kärcher patio cleaner PCL 4 with 2 brush rollers
© Karcher
To the brush cleaner
Autumn leaves or needles in particular can stick together to form an unsavory shell over the course of the winter months.
To quickly remove such organic residues, electric patio brushes are worthwhile.
They protect wooden surfaces and also pre-clean the joints at the same time.
High-pressure cleaner with app for optimal cleaning
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Kärcher high-pressure cleaner with clever app support
© Karcher
A high-pressure cleaner tackles dirt, moss and algae with several bars of water pressure.
However, it is important that you use a nozzle attachment that distributes the water pressure more evenly.
This will prevent damage to joints and surfaces.
This model from Kärcher prevents damage to the terrace because an app guides you through various cleaning situations step by step.
High-pressure cleaner with app support
Can you use a pressure washer on a wooden deck?
Yes, but be careful!
Set the pressure to 100, or better yet 80 bar and keep the pressure at a distance of at least 15 cm from the floor.
It's best to test in an inconspicuous area first.
To avoid roughening the wood, always spray along the wood grain, allow the terrace to dry completely and then treat with a suitable oil.
Aquasurf for large areas
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The Aquasurf efficiently cleans large driveways and patios.
© Bosch
This special attachment for the high-pressure cleaner glides effortlessly over the floor and quickly removes algae, lichen and moss.
With a diameter of 280 mm, it works extremely efficiently and cleans large areas quickly.
For aqua surfing
How good are green deposit removers?
ÖKO-TEST has tested green deposit removers in the past and found that none of the products were convincing.
They recommend avoiding chemical or biological agents as these can harm beneficial plants and animals in the area if they enter the soil or wastewater.
Water from rain collects in joints and cracks and melts into the snow.
Ideal breeding ground for all kinds of moss and algae. What the high-pressure cleaner can't get, these useful tools can do.
Cordless joint cleaner with replaceable joint brushes
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Clean joints comfortably while standing and without annoying cables
© Amazon
With the Einhell joint cleaner GC-CC 18 you can declare war on moss, lichen or verdigris.
Depending on the level of dirt, joint brushes made of nylon or steel wire can be used.
All of this without the annoying tangle of cables, because this joint cleaner runs quietly on battery power.
To the joint cleaner
Catch moss and algae in the corners
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Gardena combisystem 3in1 joint cleaner
© Gardena
Where electric joint cleaners can no longer reach, manual work is required to remove weeds from joints.
This practical attachment, which is compatible with all Gardena devices, uses hooks and steel bristles to tackle deposits in even the tightest corners.
To the joint scraper
Soda & soft soap for the finishing touch
A tried and tested home remedy always prevails when it comes to removing the last discolorations and dirt: the good old combination of soda and soft soap.
To do this, first clear the terrace of loose dirt and deposits.
Then dissolve about 100 grams of soda in 10 liters of warm water and then add about 100 ml of soft soap.
Apply this solution to the patio surface with a scrubber or brush and let it sit for about 30 minutes.
Then rinse thoroughly with water.
This method is environmentally friendly and gentle on most patio materials.
Finally your terrace shines almost like new again and of course this splendor should last a long time.
Ideally until the wind and weather thwart our plans again in late autumn.
The subsequent care after basic cleaning is therefore essential.
With oil to prevent graying of wooden terraces
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Special oils seal and maintain wooden terraces.
© Amazon
Special outdoor oils are a wonderfully natural care product for oiling wooden decking.
Plus point: They can refresh the natural color of the wood and protect it from graying.
To do this, put the oil on a clean cloth and rub it into the wood.
This saturates the wood, protects it from the elements and gives it a natural shine.
To the terrace oil
Seal natural stone
Rough but also smooth sanded natural and cast stone surfaces can be easily sealed after cleaning.
Special liquid products form a water-repellent, dirt-protecting layer that protects the panels from the effects of the weather and further contamination.
The next patio cleaning should also be easier because discoloration won't eat in as much.
For natural stone sealing
To effectively clean natural stone patio slabs, you should regularly sweep away loose dirt.
For basic cleaning, mix lukewarm water with a mild cleaning agent suitable for natural stone and apply this with a soft sponge.
Special stain removers can help with stubborn stains, while a suitable algae remover should be used against moss and algae.
If you use a pressure washer, be careful not to damage the stone.
If the stones are clean and dry, it makes sense to impregnate the stones to make them more resistant to future contamination.
Concrete slabs are robust, but moss and weeds can easily grow in joints and the surface can crack due to weather.
To prevent the panels from discoloring, you should regularly clear the terrace of leaves.
Fine scouring sand, which can be swept over the panels with a broom like sandpaper, helps against coarse dirt.
To get rid of green deposits, a scrubber in combination with a special paving stone cleaner helps.
For stubborn dirt, a high-pressure cleaner can also be useful, but with moderate pressure and at least 15 cm away.
This type of material is very robust and hard and therefore particularly easy to care for.
The smooth surface largely prevents algae or moss from spreading.
Since fine stoneware tiles are usually laid firmly and with joints, there is hardly any room for moss or weeds - at most a little dirt can accumulate.
Sweeping or scrubbing with soapy water is usually sufficient to clean porcelain stoneware.
Tip at the end
Maybe your terrace is so old that even thorough cleaning no longer helps.
If you are considering which covering is suitable for your new terrace, you should definitely think about WPC as a material.
WPC decking combines the aesthetics of wood with the durability and ease of care of plastic.
They do not rot or splinter and hold their shape without warping.
WPC floorboards never need to be painted or oiled and are easy to clean with soap and water.
The many different colors and textures that imitate natural wood have something to suit every style.
WPC also proves to be environmentally friendly as many products are made from recycled materials.
WPC floorboards can be laid yourself with a little craftsmanship and represent an attractive and practical solution for designing terraces and other outdoor areas.
The editor wrote this article and then used an AI language model for optimization at his own discretion. All information has been carefully checked. Find out more about our AI principles here
Category list image: © Wilm Ihlenfeld/PantherMedia