We're aware that some users are experiencing technical issues which the team are working to resolve. See the Community Noticeboard for more info. Thank you for your patience.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!

Cleaning flagstones and paths

Options
Hi,

Does anyone have an recommendations for cleaning flagstones and concrete paths? Ours have a little bit of grime building up on them (probably soot from car exhaust fumes settling on them) but I've just finished sorting the garden and I think giving these a good clean will just finish the garden nicely.

I've heard the general purpose drive and pathway cleaners from garden centres are a waste of money. Are there any that are any good or any other products on the market?

Thanks,

Dan

Comments

  • Ebe_Scrooge
    Ebe_Scrooge Posts: 7,320 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    If you use any type of chemical, you want to be careful that any run-off doesn't damage your lawn or plants. To be honest, a power-washer is probably the simplest and easiest method. You can buy one for not much money (Aldi & Lidl often have them in), and then you've got it whenever it needs doing. I usually give my drive and paths a good going over once a year and that does the trick. You can also use the pressure washer for garden furniture, outdoor kid's toys etc.
  • EssexExile
    EssexExile Posts: 6,452 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    As above, pressure washer preferably with a T-racer, it's done in no time. I've found adding chemicals makes no difference.
    Tall, dark & handsome. Well two out of three ain't bad.
  • Diana2014
    Diana2014 Posts: 53 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    edited 26 June 2019 at 11:04AM
    Sweep them thoroughly with a yard broom (not a soft household brush) - that's all that I find one needs to do, to keep old York stone flagstones looking good. You could go on to scrub them with an old-fashioned scrubbing brush, water and perhaps a little washing-up liquid, if you actively want them cleaner. Elbow grease is really all they need to look good.

    Power washing lightens the colour of the stone very noticeably and is a waste of money - not to mention unnecessarily annoying the neighbours with the din they make.
  • TELLIT01
    TELLIT01 Posts: 17,958 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary 10,000 Posts Name Dropper PPI Party Pooper
    I've used a product called Spray and Leave, by Spear and Jackson, and was pleasantly surprised by the result. It shifted some of the stains which the jet wash struggled with. That said, the jet wash removed 90% of the crud and does it in very little time, particularly if using the T racer head. I've seen absolutely no evidence of the stone being lightened by the use of the pressure washer. Maybe it depends on whether it's natural stone or coloured concrete.
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 350.8K Banking & Borrowing
  • 253K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 453.5K Spending & Discounts
  • 243.8K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 598.6K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 176.8K Life & Family
  • 257.1K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.6K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.