Cleaning Patio Pavers Will Keep Your Yard Looking Brand-New

Outdoor paving stones are one of the most versatile, durable, and cost-effective ways to make your hardscape shine. From pool patios, driveways, walkways, steps, and more, Nicolock pavers will look amazing as part of any home.

However, some maintenance is needed to keep them looking new. Nicolock paving stones with paver-shield™ technology are designed to resist fading - but dirt, stains, efflorescence, moss, and other grime can still build up. Knowing how to clean patio pavers will restore their vibrant colors and increase curb appeal.

Preparing Your Pavers

The first step in cleaning outdoor pavers is to get the paving stones ready. You'll need to remove any items touching the pavers, including tables, chairs, toys, and vehicles, so you have a clear surface to work with. Next, gently pull out any weeds, then use a broom or stiff bristle brush to scrub moss and other growth away.

Once this is done, rinse your pavers down with plain water from a garden hose with a nozzle attachment. This will remove loose dust and grime while also wetting the surface for the main cleaning process.

Types of Patio Paver Cleaning Solutions

There are a few options when choosing a cleaner for pavers, with both DIY home mixtures and purpose-formulated products. Let's look at the main patio paver cleaning solutions and how each can be effective on your paving stones. No matter which option you choose, you should test it on a single stone first to make sure it doesn't affect the color.

• Regular Soap and Water

  A solution of regular dishwashing soap or hand soap is simple to create, and it will remove mild to moderate dirt, stains, and grease. Just mix your soap and some warm water in a large bucket and you're ready to start cleaning.

• Simple Green

  This is a chemical-free cleaning solution specifically made for pavers. When it comes to your outdoor living space, the fewer chemicals you're using, the better for everyone's health.

• Diluted Bleach 10:1

  A solution of household bleach diluted 10:1 with water (10 parts water) can be used to remove many types of stains. Some of these include beverage stains, leaf, wood rot, and tobacco stains. Always test a small section of your patio before covering a large area.

Methods for Cleaning Pavers

Pressure washing pavers is something many customers ask us about. The short answer is that, while this can be a good way to help remove stubborn grime, it must be done carefully so that you don’t damage the surface of the paving stones or wash out joint sand. You may even want to leave this method to a professional cleaner.

If you do decide to pursue this method, we recommend putting the pressure washer on the lowest setting. A round brush attachment is a safer method for using pressure washers.

Our Preferred Cleaning Method

Once you've wet down the pavers as described in the prep section, pour some of your cleaning solution onto the pavers, then use a stiff-bristle scrub brush or push broom to gently scrub them. (Don't use wire brushes or scouring pads as these can damage the pavers and/or sealant.) After scrubbing, rinse the pavers thoroughly with the garden hose. Repeat as needed until your patio pavers are clean.

Knowing how to clean old patio pavers will ensure you have a beautiful outdoor yard for years to come. No longer do you need to worry about the changing seasons or party guests doing damage to your pavers. Once the warm seasons hit, you can clean up your pavers and have them looking as good as new.