Home LivingGardenBest patio cleaners 2025: top solutions to keep your outdoor areas looking spick and spanThese are the best patio, pathway and driveway cleaning fluids you can buy in 2023When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Home LivingGardenBest patio cleaners 2025: top solutions to keep your outdoor areas looking spick and spanThese are the best patio, pathway and driveway cleaning fluids you can buy in 2023When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
These are the best patio, pathway and driveway cleaning fluids you can buy in 2023
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Canva)
(Image credit: Canva)
While patios, driveways, pathways and brickwork usually age in an attractive, organic way, sometimes the gradual build-up of detritus can become a hindrance rather than a feature. This is especially relevant when it comes to algae which in wet weather can make wooden decking and smooth York stone paving as slippery as an ice rink.
When it comes to patio, pathway and driveway cleaning we would always recommend thebest pressure washerfor the task of removing algae, mould, lichen, moss, dirt and stains. Granted, most Kärcher pressure washers can work in tandem with a plug-in cleaning agent but the sheer power of high water pressure alone is usually more than enough to restore paving and stone to the way it was the day you first laid it.
Like with pressure washers, picking up anAmazon Prime Day dealon patio cleaners make sense, as often bottles are discounted. We’d say consider putting a pause on any patio cleaner purchase until Prime Day 2022.
The best patio cleaners you can buy in 2023
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(Image credit: Patio Magic!)
(Image credit: Patio Magic!)
Patio Magic!Best patio cleaner for performance and priceToday’s Best DealsCheck AmazonReasons to buy+It works+It’s cheapReasons to avoid-Contains benzalkonium chloride
Patio Magic!
1. Patio Magic!
Best patio cleaner for performance and price
Today’s Best DealsCheck Amazon
Today’s Best DealsCheck Amazon
Today’s Best DealsCheck Amazon
Today’s Best DealsCheck Amazon
Today’s Best Deals
Check Amazon
Check Amazon
Check Amazon
Reasons to buy+It works+It’s cheap
+It works+It’s cheap
It works
It’s cheap
Reasons to avoid-Contains benzalkonium chloride
-Contains benzalkonium chloride
Contains benzalkonium chloride
Patio Magic is one of the most popular and glowingly reviewed outdoor hard floor cleaners onAmazonand this writer tends to agree. For the low price, it really does produce excellent results – especially on algae – restoring green, tired-looking paving to nearly-as-new condition after just one application.
However, it does contain its fair share of chemicals, including ‘less than 15% benzalkonium chloride’ which is potentially harmful to pets and exceedingly toxic to aquatic life.
If you’re cautious about using chemicals that are known to be hazardous to the environment, perhaps opt for an organic solution or make your own using lots of vinegar. Alternatively use a pressure washer or even a good dose of hot water and a broom.
However, if you’re happy about using chemicals and you just want a clean patio without breaking into a sweat, this one is as good as it gets. It’s not called magic for nothing.
(Image credit: Algon)
(Image credit: Algon)
Algon Organic Path and Patio CleanerBest organic option for clean pavingReasons to buy+Organic solution+Safer for pets and wildlifeReasons to avoid-Smells like vinegar
Algon Organic Path and Patio Cleaner
2. Algon Organic Path and Patio Cleaner
Best organic option for clean paving
Reasons to buy+Organic solution+Safer for pets and wildlife
+Organic solution+Safer for pets and wildlife
Organic solution
Safer for pets and wildlife
Reasons to avoid-Smells like vinegar
-Smells like vinegar
Smells like vinegar
If you have pets or are concerned about the safety of wildlife, consider this organic option from Algon. According to the manufacturer it is ‘safe for children, pets and wildlife’. Available as a 2.5-litre concentrate, you simply dilute it and spray or pour it over the affected area and leave – there is no need for any rinsing.
Despite smelling unpleasantly vinegary – which is essentially what it is – Algon makes a very fair fist at removing algae and muck from paving and stones and is also a hugely popular product among the vast majority of Amazon users who say it works brilliantly well for them, too.
(Image credit: Kärcher)
(Image credit: Kärcher)
Kärcher Stone & Facade CleanerBest cleaning option for those with a Kärcher pressure washerToday’s Best DealsCheck AmazonReasons to buy+Clips into most Kärcher pressure washers+Effective performerReasons to avoid-Only works with a Kärcher pressure washer
Kärcher Stone & Facade Cleaner
3. Kärcher Stone & Facade Cleaner
Best cleaning option for those with a Kärcher pressure washer
Today’s Best DealsCheck Amazon
Today’s Best DealsCheck Amazon
Today’s Best DealsCheck Amazon
Today’s Best DealsCheck Amazon
Today’s Best Deals
Check Amazon
Check Amazon
Check Amazon
Reasons to buy+Clips into most Kärcher pressure washers+Effective performer
+Clips into most Kärcher pressure washers+Effective performer
Clips into most Kärcher pressure washers
Effective performer
Reasons to avoid-Only works with a Kärcher pressure washer
-Only works with a Kärcher pressure washer
Only works with a Kärcher pressure washer
If you have a Kärcher pressure washer, consider clipping in this ready-made biodegradable solution bottle that’s been designed for restoring outdoor stone slabs, paving and concrete.
Stone & Facade Cleaner works stupendously well on stonework though the one-litre bottle does empty quite quickly if used on a wide area. I found the best answer was to first pressure wash the entire area without the solution and then follow it up with a quick blast with the bottle plugged into the machine’s dedicated port. Then leave it for a few hours before hosing it all off with a hose or, for best results, another blast with the pressure washer. After that substantial amount of graft, your stonework and paving will have returned to its former glory and you will no longer be embarrassed when guests come around.
Need a top-spec Kärcher pressure washer to got with this solution? Head over to our review of theKärcher K4 Full Control Homefor the full lowdown
(Image credit: Wet & Forget)
(Image credit: Wet & Forget)
Wet & ForgetAnother excellent mould and algae killerToday’s Best DealsView at Ace HardwareView at AmazonReasons to buy+Great performer+Large 5-litre bottleReasons to avoid-Contains benzalkonium chloride-Not so good on lichen
Wet & Forget
4. Wet & Forget
Another excellent mould and algae killer
Today’s Best DealsView at Ace HardwareView at Amazon
Today’s Best DealsView at Ace HardwareView at Amazon
Today’s Best DealsView at Ace HardwareView at Amazon
Today’s Best DealsView at Ace HardwareView at Amazon
Today’s Best Deals
View at Ace HardwareView at Amazon
View at Ace Hardware
View at Ace Hardware
View at Amazon
View at Amazon
Reasons to buy+Great performer+Large 5-litre bottle
+Great performer+Large 5-litre bottle
Great performer
Large 5-litre bottle
Reasons to avoid-Contains benzalkonium chloride-Not so good on lichen
-Contains benzalkonium chloride-Not so good on lichen
Contains benzalkonium chloride
Not so good on lichen
The active ingredient in Wet & Forget is benzalkonium chloride so avoid using it anywhere near fish ponds – you’re also advised to keep pets away. With that out the way, this cleaner performs exceptionally well on most outdoor surfaces, including wooden fencing and decking.
As is the case with all outdoor floor cleaners, a good-quality sprayer with a decent water capacity makes the job much easier than using a watering can. Wet & Forget comes in a 5-litre concentrated solution that makes 30 litres of cleaner so this is the one to go for if you have a large area to be treated.
According to the blurb, it kills and removes mould, lichen and algae very effectively but then again some Amazon users say it doesn’t tackle lichen that well, so bear that in mind.
(Image credit: Pro-Kleen)
(Image credit: Pro-Kleen)
Pro-Kleen MY16 Patio CleanerA very popular option on AmazonToday’s Best DealsCheck AmazonReasons to buy+Good for decking and fencing+Supposedly okay for pets+Comes in a large 5-litre bottleReasons to avoid-Some negative reviews
Pro-Kleen MY16 Patio Cleaner
5. Pro-Kleen MY16 Patio Cleaner
A very popular option on Amazon
Today’s Best DealsCheck Amazon
Today’s Best DealsCheck Amazon
Today’s Best DealsCheck Amazon
Today’s Best DealsCheck Amazon
Today’s Best Deals
Check Amazon
Check Amazon
Check Amazon
Reasons to buy+Good for decking and fencing+Supposedly okay for pets+Comes in a large 5-litre bottle
+Good for decking and fencing+Supposedly okay for pets+Comes in a large 5-litre bottle
Good for decking and fencing
Supposedly okay for pets
Comes in a large 5-litre bottle
Reasons to avoid-Some negative reviews
-Some negative reviews
Some negative reviews
As it says on the 5-litre bottle, you ‘simply spray and walk away’. And that’s all you need to know. The end. Pro-Kleen MY16 is said to be okay to use with pets around. Like all cleaners of this nature you simply dilute it according to the manufacturer’s instructions – or use it neat for obstreperous cases of mould and algae – and spray it on. It’s safe to use on a number of surfaces, including fencing, decking and outdoor furniture.
This product has garnered a wealth of reviews, mostly resoundingly positive though it has to said that some users have been less than happy with their purchase. Mind, that’s par for the course with most user reviews these days. Swings and roundabouts.
How to use a patio cleaner
The best thing about patio cleaning products is that they require very little effort to administer. You simply apply it to paving, stone slabs, decking, what have you and leave it to do its chemical magic. After a few hours you should start seeing a difference. However, we would advise waiting 24 hours or so to really see the benefits. Most good quality solutions should remove all traces of algae, dirt and most stains. Moss will be killed off, too, but will likely remain until you either brush it away or let nature and time play its part.
In most instances, patio cleaning solutions come in concentrated form so you’ll need to add the recommended amount of water to dilute it. You will also need a large spray bottle, a watering can with a sprinkle rose or even a bog-standard bucket.
The first thing to do is saturate any vegetation like grass and plants that border the patio or pathway. This is because the cleaner is made from a host of nasty ingredients that can kill vegetation. If that vegetation is pre soaked, any solution that spills over will be extra diluted and not harm any greenery. In theory, that is.
The next stage is to spray the affected area with plain water because the more damp the surface, the better the solution will perform.
Now follow the manufacturer’s instructions and apply the solution accordingly, wearing some protective clothing and gloves at all times. You should also have a straw broom to hand so you can manually scrub any badly stained areas. If you’re using a pressure washer that accommodates a bottle of detergent, you’re in luck because everything will be blasted away in seconds, right before your eyes.
Once the solution has performed the task of removing dirt and algae, give the area a good rinse with a hose or a watering can.
Repeat the whole process again six months to a year later to keep your patio and other outdoor areas spick and spotlessly span.
Round up of today’s best deals
Wet & Forget Moss Mould Lichen & Algae$39.48ViewSee all prices
Wet & Forget Moss Mould Lichen & Algae$39.48ViewSee all prices
Wet & Forget Moss Mould Lichen & Algae$39.48ViewSee all prices
Wet & Forget Moss Mould Lichen & Algae
Wet & Forget Moss Mould Lichen & Algae
$39.48View
$39.48
$39.48
See all prices
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