How to clean a patio, deck or roof deck
To clean a patio, clear it, sweep it well, then scrub it with warm water, a squeeze of dish soap and a stiff deck brush. Rinse with a hose and let it dry in the sun. Wood and composite decks need a cleaner made for that decking and a gentler hand, and patio furniture gets cleaned by material: soapy water for plastic and metal, a soft brush for wicker, the tag for cushions.
In Philly, outdoor space might be a concrete back patio, a small wooden deck, a front stoop or a roof deck. The steps are the same; the amount of water you can use changes.
What do you need?
- A stiff push broom or deck brush
- A bucket, dish soap and warm water
- A garden hose, or buckets of water if you don't have one
- A soft brush for furniture and wicker
- An outdoor cleaner made for your surface, for algae and mildew
- Rubber gloves
How do you clean a concrete, brick or paver patio?
- Clear it. Furniture, pots and the grill off to one side.
- Sweep. Leaves, grit and the stuff that collects in the corners.
- Scrub. Warm soapy water and a stiff brush, a section at a time.
- Weeds and moss in the joints come out with a scraper or a stiff brush.
- Rinse with the hose, away from the house and your door.
- Dry in the sun before the furniture goes back.
How do you clean a wood or composite deck?
Sweep, then scrub with a deck cleaner made for your decking, along the boards, and rinse. Go easy with a pressure washer; too much pressure splinters wood and can gouge composite. Check boards for loose nails while you're down there.
How do you clean a roof deck?
Sweep first and use as little water as you can. Check where it drains, so it runs off your roof and not a neighbor's. Check your building or association rules before using a hose or any cleaner. Never prop a ladder or lean over a railing to reach something.
How do you clean patio furniture?
| Material | How |
|---|---|
| Plastic and resin | Warm soapy water and a sponge; a baking soda paste for scuffs |
| Metal and aluminum | Soapy water, rinse, dry well to stop rust |
| Wrought iron | Soapy water, a wire brush on rust spots, dry well |
| Wicker and rattan | Vacuum or brush, then a soft brush barely damp with soapy water; dry fast |
| Teak and hardwood | Mild soap and a soft brush along the grain; follow the maker's oil advice |
| Glass tops | Glass cleaner and a microfiber cloth |
| Cushions | By the tag; removable covers on cold, fixed ones scrubbed and dried on edge |
How do you keep it clean all summer?
Sweep weekly, wipe the table after every meal outside, store cushions in a bin when it rains, and cover the furniture when it's not in use. Our summer cleaning checklist covers the rest of the house, and our grill guide covers the grill.
Want a cleaning booked?
The patio is yours. For the inside of the house, book House Cleaning online and put your priorities in your booking notes.
FAQ
What is a good homemade patio cleaner? Warm water with a squeeze of dish soap and a stiff deck brush handles everyday dirt on concrete, pavers and brick. For green algae, use an outdoor cleaner made for it and follow the label, and rinse well around plants.
Should you pressure wash a deck? Carefully, if at all. Too much pressure can splinter wood and gouge composite. A brush and a deck cleaner made for your decking, rinsed with a garden hose, is gentler.
How do you clean outdoor cushions? Check the tag. Removable covers can often go in the washer on cold. For fixed cushions, vacuum, scrub with mild soapy water and a soft brush, rinse, and stand them on edge in the sun to dry.
How do you clean a roof deck without bothering the neighbors? Sweep first, use as little water as you can, and check where it drains so it doesn't run onto a neighbor's roof or down their wall. Check your building or association rules before using any cleaner or a hose up there.
Book a cleaning
Our service area: every Philadelphia neighborhood, plus the Pennsylvania suburbs within about 30 miles of Center City, in Montgomery, Delaware, Bucks and Chester counties. Book online at phillyscleanteam.com/book-now, or call or text (215) 798-7576, 9 AM to 9 PM, every day.
