Cleaning flagstones and paths

baxio

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

Ebe_Scrooge

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

As above, pressure washer preferably with a T-racer, it's done in no time. I've found adding chemicals makes no difference.

Diana2014

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

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.