After so many footprints, spilled condiments, muddy paws, and rainy days, your pavers could probably use a little love. But if you’re wondering how to clean pavers, don’t worry: there are ways to restore them to their former glory. Cleaning your brick pavers is much less expensive than replacing them (the average cost to clean your pavers yourself is $375) and still offers a look that’s reminiscent of when you first installed them.
How Should I Clean My Patio or Driveway Pavers?
Cleaning brick pavers is a DIY project you can knock out in a day
Photo: Olesia Bilkei / Shutterstock
Photo: Olesia Bilkei / Shutterstock
Written by Allie Ogletree
Contributing Writer
Reviewed by Tara Dudley
Landscape Designer, Plant Life Designs
Updated February 22, 2022
Difficulty
Easy
No experience? No problem.
Time to complete
24 hours
Cost
$10–$25
Keep it wallet-friendly.
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What you'll need:
TOOLS
- Gardening gloves
- Stiff hand brush
- Garden hose with power-wash attachment
- Power or pressure washer (optional)
- 1-gallon or 5-gallon bucket
- Stiff long-handled broom or scouring pad
SUPPLIES
- Weed killer
- Cleaning solution (see step four for options)
Clear the Area
Patio chairs, potted plants, concrete cherubs, fire pits—it all needs to get moved. You want to clear the entire area of obstacles before you begin cleaning your brick pavers.
If you have any nearby decor, landscaping, appliances, or anything else that you can’t move easily, cover these up with a tarp.
Remove Weeds, Moss, and Other Organic Growths
Over time, the cracks of your pavers create tiny gardens for weeds and moss, as well as other natural growths. An important tip for cleaning paver stones: clear the surrounding area of these stray plants.
Don your gardening gloves and pull out the big weeds by the root, then use a stiff brush to loosen any moss. If necessary, follow up with a weed killer and wait for the recommended time period before continuing.
If you spy any tree roots that might uproot your pavers, you might want to get in touch with a local patio paver to discuss installing concrete footing as a barrier. You can also contact a local tree removal contractor to learn more about your options.
Hose ‘Em Down
As a preliminary method of soaking, use your garden hose to completely saturate the paved area with water. This will help clean the brick pavers and loosen any dirt and debris while also preventing them from soaking up the cleansers and forming an unsightly residue.
Prepare a Solution
Part of keeping your outdoor space at its best is choosing the right pavers for the area, but another major factor is cleaning those pavers with the right solution. That said, be sure to do a spot test on an inconspicuous area (maybe one usually covered by your grill?) before moving forward with your solution of choice.
Here are a few great solutions for cleaning brick pavers:
White (not dark) vinegar diluted with water
Simple Green, a gentle and chemical-free soap that is unlikely to ruin your paver stones
Dishwashing soap and water
"These solutions are great for cleaning pavers and are deemed environmentally safe,” says cleaning expert Asya Biddle.
Once you’ve determined your preferred paver cleaning solution, fill up a bucket’s worth. For large areas, fill up a five-gallon bucket; for smaller areas, a one-gallon bucket should suffice.
Scrub and Clean
Working in one area at a time, pour out some of your paver cleaning solution. Take a stiff long-handled broom and scrub the area to clean the pavers. If your knees can take it, you can also use a scouring pad or wire hand brush to loosen up any dirt, stains, and grime.
Wash It Off
Depending on how dirty your pavers really are, you might only need to rinse the area off with your hose. But for removing stains from pavers that have set, you might want to enlist the help of a local power washing service. Alternatively, you can rent a power washer for around $70 to $300 per day. If you plan to regularly wash your pavers, exterior windows, and siding, purchasing a power washer may be the route to go.
However, power wash with caution. “Depending on the type of paver installation you have, power washing can possibly be too aggressive, destroying polymeric joint sand that is used in-between the paver joints,” says Tara Dudley, owner of Plant Life Designs.
Perform Touch-Ups
Maintaining a new and elegant look for your pavers is all about cleaning them right and taking care of any necessary touch-ups afterward. If your pavers have sanded joints, you might need to budget for reapplying the sand after the power wash.
Reseal Your Patio Pavers
Once you’ve finished cleaning your brick pavers, it’s a good idea to reseal them to preserve that fresh-and-clean look. Consult a local deck sealing contractor for the best results. You can also buy DIY sealer for around $35 to cover 250 square feet. Most local landscape companies can also help you with cleaning and sealing your patio pavers.
How to Clean Stains Off Pavers
Pesky stains can turn even the most elegant pavers into a splotchy mess. To get rid of stubborn stains, you’ll want to take a proactive approach and clean the surface as soon as possible.
Pavers are porous and will absorb any spills quickly. But different stains require different cleaning methods. Be sure to test any of the following cleaning methods in an inconspicuous area before applying them to all of your pavers.
Oil Stains
For oil, you’ll want to use a concrete cleaner and warm water to do the job. Use a deck mop to mop up the grease, then sprinkle some cat litter over the spill and let it soak up the oil for at least 24 hours. Then, simply sweep it up with a broom. You may need to repeat this process several times.
Food and Drink Stains
Most stains from consumable goods can be scrubbed away with a little bit of soap and water and a toothbrush.
Hard Water Stains
Just like your cups and shower, pavers are prone to water stains from calcium deposits in your tap water. Remove limescale buildup with a 50:50 ratio of water and white vinegar.
Spray the solution on the surface of your pavers and let it sit for a good 30 minutes before scrubbing with a scrubber brush and rinsing the pavers off.
What Not to Use to Clean Pavers
Paver stones aren’t invincible—even if they have a way of making your yard look sturdy and strong. As a rule of thumb, you’ll want to avoid doing the following to clean your pavers:
When using abrasive tools for cleaning patio pavers, don’t go too hard on it— you don’t want to scratch or damage the surface.
Avoid power washing your pavers with a pressure washer. These machines can plow through the sealant and finish on your pavers, exposing them to the elements.
Don’t use hot water to clean your pavers, as this can weaken the material and increase the chances of abrasion.
Only resort to bleach if more gentle options aren’t cutting it, as bleach can lighten the appearance of your pavers if you use it too frequently or don’t dilute it enough.
Avoid dark vinegar colors, as they can stain your pavers if you’re not careful.
FAQs
What is the best cleaning solution for pavers?
One of the best cleaning solutions for pavers is your standard dish soap and water. Dish soap is gentle yet effective at cleaning light stains off the surface of your pavers without compromising the appearance, protective layer, or structure of the pavers.
What’s the easiest way to clean pavers?
The easiest way to clean pavers is through a routine maintenance schedule that includes sweeping, rinsing, and keeping up with any dirt or stains as they appear. You’ll find it’s much more time-consuming to clean pavers that haven’t been maintained in a long time; the longer the stains sit, the deeper they can seep into the pavers.
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