Are your patio pavers looking dull and dirty? Learn how to clean them safely by hand, with tips from our experts.

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Do your patio pavers need a good washing, but you’re not sure how to do it without a pressure washer? The great news is, you can restore your pavers with just a few tools, materials and a bit of elbow grease.

Although pavers are known for their durability, pressure washing may damage them if you’re not careful or use the wrong equipment. Conversely, properly maintaining and cleaning pavers keeps them looking good for years.

“Pavers are durable but do need some light routine maintenance to keep them looking clean and fresh,” says Joe Raboine, vice president of design at Belgard/Oldcastle APG. “You should regularly sweep off your paver patio to remove dirt, debris and leaf buildup.

“If your pavers are in a wooded, shady area and you keep things swept often, you should only need to perform a thorough cleaning annually. If your pavers are in a sunny location, you may only have to clean them every few years.”

Read on to learn how to clean your patio pavers without a pressure washer. Note: If stains are too severe for a DIY cleaning job or your pavers are starting to wear, contact a professional for an assessment.

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Before You Start

Here’s some recommended prep work from our experts:

• Spot-test a section with the products you intend to use. If the paver manufacturer provided care tips, follow them.
• Raboine says if there’s joint sand between your pavers, you may have to brush in more after you’ve finished your cleaning. Be sure to add sand similar to what’s currently in the joints. If it’s polymeric, add polymeric; if it’s standard joint sand, use that. Keep the sand type consistent.
• Consider sealing your pavers to prevent future stains and protect the color and finish. Sealing only needs to be done once every three to five years. Choose between two types of sealants: Film forming, which creates a wet glossy look, and non-film forming, a matte finish. If you prefer glossy, go with Techniseal’s WL4-Seal High Glass Wet Look. For a matte finish, try Techniseal’s NS Paver Sealer Natural Look Finish.

Materials

• Liquid dish soap;
• White vinegar.

Step 1: Remove Objects and Debris

• Remove furniture, plants and all other objects from the patio.
• Sweep to remove dirt or debris.
• Remove weeds from between pavers with a weeding tool. Wear gardening gloves to protect your hands.

Step 2: Saturate Pavers With water

• Spray pavers with water, making sure you don’t miss any areas.

Step 3: Make a Mixture of Water and Dish Soap

• Fill a bucket with warm water.
• Add a tablespoon of liquid dish soap per gallon of water, says Ryan Farley, CEO of LawnStarter.
• Mix until the water turns sudsy.

Step 4: Wash Pavers With Push Broom

• Dip the push broom into the soapy water.
• Scrub all the pavers thoroughly with enough pressure to remove dirt and grime.
• Continue dipping and scrubbing until you’ve cleaned all the pavers.

Step 5: Rinse Pavers and Air Dry

• Rinse the pavers with a hose or buckets of water to remove all the soapy cleaning solution.
• Let the pavers air dry naturally before putting any objects, plants or furniture back onto the patio.

How to Clean Patio Pavers With Tough Stains

If your patio pavers still have stains after you wash them, here’s another step you can take:

Step 1: Mix Cleaning Solution

• Put on rubber gloves to protect your skin from the vinegar.
• Mix equal parts warm water and white vinegar in a bucket, Farley says.
• Make sure to only use white vinegar because other types can stain your pavers. Also, remember vinegar is acidic, so only use this method on tough grime.

Step 2: Scrub Pavers With Scrub Brush or Outdoor Push Broom

• Dip your scrub brush or push broom into the mixture and apply it to the pavers.
• Scrub stains vigorously.

Step 3: Let the Cleaning Solution Sit

• Allow the cleaning solution to sit for 10 to 15 minutes.

Step 4: Rinse Away the Cleaning Solution and Let Dry

• Use a hose to spray pavers and rinse away the residue.
• Make sure to rinse thoroughly to avoid leaving acidic vinegar on your pavers for too long.
• Allow the pavers to air dry.

Raboine suggests tackling stains with a specially formulated cleaning solution when needed. If your pavers harbor organic stains from leaf buildup, spray on a solution specifically for those kinds of stains. He suggests this Organic Stain Remover for moss, mildew and dead leaves, following the manufacturer’s directions.