A patio is a wonderful spot to relax and enjoy your garden. But for many of us, that enjoyment can be spoiled by a patio that’s looking a bit grimy. So if yours has seen better days, it’s time to find a cleaner to restore it to its former glory!
We’re going to take a look at ten of the best patio cleaners available right now. We’ll set out their pros and cons. And we’ll help you consider what to look for to make the perfect choice for your garden.
So if you’re ready, step this way to find out more!
The Best patio cleaning Products
The Best Patio Cleaner on UK Market 2023
1. Jarder Spray & Leave
If moss and green algae are problems on your patio, check out Jarder’s Spray & Leave patio cleaner. As the name suggests, it’s designed to give great results with the minimum of effort.
It comes in a 5-litre container. You’ll need to dilute it, one part patio cleaner to five parts water. That means one container will give you 30 litres of cleaning solution.
Use it with a low-pressure pump-action sprayer, or with a watering can. You’ll see the results in between two and three days. They’re long-lasting too. It will protect your patio from regrowth for up to six months.
It’s safe for pets and children once it’s dried, and it doesn’t contain any acid or bleach. The ingredients are completely biodegradable too, so you won’t have to worry about toxic chemicals remaining in your garden.
It will work on all kinds of stone, and its use goes far beyond patios. It’s just as effective on fencing, PVC facias, decking, paths and driveways. If you’re lucky enough to have a boat or caravan, you can use it to clean those too. You could even use it to spruce up garden statues or terracotta pots.
But if you have a garden pond, avoid using this nearby. If the spray drifts onto the water, it will kill any fish or other pondlife.
If you’ve got heavy moss or algae growth, you might find you need a second application. But the modest price tag means this is still a very cost-effective option.
Pros:
- Works on patios, decking and even gravel
- Removes moss and algae in two to three days
- Protects from regrowth for up to six months
Cons:
- Not suitable for use near ponds – the chemicals are fatal to aquatic life
- Heavy growth may require a second treatment.
2. Patio Magic! Concentrate
If your patio is suffering with green mould or algae, Patio Magic! could be the answer.
The active ingredient here is a substance called benzalkonium chloride. Dilute before use, one part Patio Magic! to four parts water. Then apply it to your patio or other hard surface using a sprayer or watering can.
There’s no need to scrub. Just leave it to get to work, and it will kill mould or algae in between two and four days. And it will prevent it from growing back for anything between six and nine months.
This won’t work as a moss killer, though. But it will tackle lichen, although you’ll need to be patient. Control of this can take anything from two weeks up to six months.
The 2.5-litre container will treat 85 square metres. The chemicals are toxic, so take care as you’re using it. Keep the spray away from ponds and drains. Children and animals will need to be kept away from treated areas too, until the surface is completely dry. That can take up to six hours.
The good news is that, once dry, the hazard is removed. And any chemicals that enter the soil are completely biodegradable.
Pros:
- Removes green mould and algae without scrubbing
- Visible results in just a few days
- Prevents regrowth for up to nine months
Cons:
- Doesn’t kill moss and can take up to six months to control lichen
- Take care when using it – the chemicals are toxic to humans, animals and aquatic life.
3. Pro-Kleen Simply Spray & Walk Away Green Mould & Algae Remover
Pro-Kleen’s Simply Spray & Walk Away is a very similar product to Patio Magic! It too is formulated to get rid of green mould and algae, and to do so with very little effort.
In this case, you’ll get a 5-litre bottle of concentrated formula which you’ll need to dilute before using. Mix one part concentrate with four parts of water and apply with a low-pressure sprayer. If you prefer, you can use a watering can with a fine rose.
It will work effectively on any hard surfaces. As well as your patio, it will work brilliantly on fencing, sheds, caravans or boats. Pretty much anywhere, in fact, where green mould or algae can make itself a problem.
As its name suggests, this is another formulation that doesn’t require scrubbing. Spray it on, leave it to dry, and you’ll get visible results in just a few days. It can, however, take longer in cooler conditions – so be patient if you’re applying in early spring. Protection from regrowth will last for several months.
It isn’t designed as a moss killer. We’ve heard some reports that it will turn moss brown, but you’ll still need to scrape it away. And you won’t get the same level of protection from regrowth as you will with green mould and algae.
Treated areas can be walked on by children and animals, but only once they’re dry. Take care when using it too – the chemicals will burn your skin if they splash you. And keep it away from any ponds. This is very harmful to aquatic creatures.
Pros:
- Kills green mould and algae, with visible effects in most cases in just a few days
- Prevents regrowth for several months
- Treated areas are safe for children and pets once dry
Cons:
- Not formulated to kill moss, though you may be able to turn it brown
- Take care during use to avoid harm to yourself or pondlife.
4. Defenders Concentrated Path & Patio Cleaner
This patio cleaner from Defenders is a cost-effective option for those with a smaller area to treat. The 2-litre bottle concentrated formula will cover an area of up to 25 square metres.
It’s suitable for use on all kinds of patios and walls, whether stone, brick, tarmac, block paving, concrete or asphalt. You will, though, need to do a little more work than with some brands.
Sweep up any debris on your patio before diluting the cleaner to the required strength. Use one part cleaner to one or two parts of water. Then apply it using a watering can, aiming to use 200 millilitres per square metre. Use a sweeping brush to ensure the area is evenly covered, then leave it to dry.
You’ll need to keep children and animals away from the area until it’s completely dry. Then rinse the whole surface with clean water.
This cleaner isn’t specific about the kinds of stains or growth it’s formulated to deal with. The manufacturer says simply that it will deal with a “wide range of stains and soils”.
Perhaps not surprisingly, we’ve heard very different reports of its efficacy. Some people have found their patios have come up a treat. Others with different staining problems have seen no effect at all.
If you’re not sure what’s causing your stains, this is worth a shot – and it isn’t expensive. But you may find you need to do more investigation and find a stronger product if it’s not effective.
Pros:
- The 2-litre bottle is a convenient size for treating smaller areas
- Can be used on all kinds of patios and walls, whether brick, stone, asphalt or concrete
- Once dry, treated surfaces are safe for children and animals
Cons:
- Not specific about the kinds of stains it will treat, so results can be hit-and-miss
- For best results, you’ll need to brush the treatment onto the surface and rinse it off afterwards.
5. Pro-Kleen Simply Spray & Walk Away Patio Cleaner
If brushing chemicals onto your patio sounds like hard work, Pro-Kleen’s patio cleaner may be more to your liking.
The second product from the Spray & Walk Away range to make our list, this works just as its name suggests. In this case, the formula is ready to use, so you won’t even need to dilute it. Simply pour it into a low-pressure sprayer or watering can, and apply to the affected area.
You’ll see the results in a few days, with protection from regrowth for up to six months. The formula is pretty much the same as the brand’s algae and green mould remover. It can be used on any hard surface in your garden, whether stone, brick, concrete, gravel or even wood or PVC.
You’ll need to keep children and pets away from the treated area while the chemicals are drying. Once dry, the area will be safe for normal use. The formula doesn’t contain acid or bleach, and it’s biodegradable. Just make sure you keep it away from ponds, as it will cause serious harm to aquatic life.
The ready-diluted formula removes one step from the cleaning process. But it also means a 5-litre container won’t cover a very large surface area. That makes it relatively expensive. If you’re looking for a more cost-effective option, the concentrate is the better bet.
Pros:
- Very effective at killing algae and green mould
- Protects from regrowth for six months
- No preparation required – use it straight from the bottle
Cons:
- You’ll need to keep children and pets away until treated areas are completely dry
- Significantly more expensive per square metre than concentrated formulas.
6. Wet & Forget Mould, Lichen and Algae Remover (Our Top Pick)
Wet & Forget is another rhyming brand that will make short work of mould, lichen and algae.
You’ll get 5 litres in each container, which will make up 30 litres of treatment. Depending on the surface to be treated, this will cover between 100 and 300 square metres. The more porous the surface, the more cleaning solution you’ll need to use.
It’s best applied with a pump-action sprayer. It’s very simple to do – just cover the surface and then leave it to dry before walking on it. You won’t need to do any brushing or scrubbing.
Depending on the extent of the staining, you may need to treat the surface a second time. But be patient. It takes a few days for you to start seeing the results.
The good news is that the formula is reactivated every time it rains, helping to prevent regrowth. You can expect several months of protection from each application.
It will work on patios, as well as softer surfaces like awnings and outdoor upholstery. If you’re looking for a good all-round outdoor cleaner, it’s a great choice.
It’s not caustic or acidic, and it doesn’t contain any bleach. It is, however, toxic to aquatic life, so avoid using it near ponds. And take care to keep it away from your skin and eyes.
Pros:
- Can be used on both hard surfaces like patios, and porous ones like textiles
- Deals effectively with mould, algae and lichen
- No scrubbing or brushing required
Cons:
- Not suitable for use near ponds
- Stubborn stains may require a second application.
7. Smartseal Moss Clear
If moss is the problem on your patio, check out Moss Clear from Smartseal. It’s designed specifically to combat the green terror. And it will deal just as well with algae and most kinds of mould.
It’s available in concentrated form in either 5 or 25-litre cartons. 5 litres is enough to treat an area of between 100 and 125 square metres.
Dilute it before use, one part Moss Clear to five parts water. For heavier growth, you can increase the concentration to one to three.
Apply it to the surface to be treated on a dry day, when you’re not expecting rain within six hours. You can use either a low-pressure sprayer or a watering can to do the job.
Allow it to soak in and stay off the treated area until it’s completely dry. You won’t need to do any brushing or scrubbing. And don’t rinse the area afterwards either.
It can be used on any hard surface in your garden – patios, driveways, decking or roofs. Note that you may need to give it three to five days before you see results. And particularly heavy build-up may require a second treatment.
Pros:
- Effective on moss, algae and most types of mould
- Can be used at different strengths, depending on how heavy the growth is
- No brushing, scrubbing or rinsing required
Cons:
- Very heavy growth may require a second treatment
- Expect it to take between three and five days to see results.
8. Green Terminator: Remover
If your patio is green, Green Terminator could be the perfect choice! Whether the problem is moss, green mould, algae or lichen, it will give great results in just a few days.
The concentrated formula can be mixed to different strengths depending on how severe the growth is. Use one part Green Terminator to eight parts water for lighter growth. Increase the ratio to one to four if the green stuff is well established.
You’ll see visible results within a few days, and it will protect the area from regrowth for up to a year. It will work on all hard surfaces in your garden, whether stone, brick, block paving or tarmac.
As with most patio cleaners, avoid getting it anywhere near a garden pond. It will kill any fish or other pondlife if it contaminates the water. Be very careful with grass and plants too – they will die if sprayed by accident.
A 5-litre bottle will cover an area of 90 square metres of average staining. For lighter cleaning jobs, that can increase to 350 square metres.
Pros:
- Removes green mould, moss, algae and lichen
- Can be mixed to different concentrations depending on how severe the problem is
- Protects treated areas from regrowth for up to a year
Cons:
- Harmful to aquatic life, so avoid it getting into ponds
- It will kill any grass or plants it comes into contact with.
9. Ultima Plus-XP Green Mould and Algae Remover
Ultima Plus-XP claims to be the most powerful green mould and algae remover on the market. The manufacturers say it has double the amount of active ingredient of its competitors.
This claim seems to be borne out by the instructions for diluting the formula. For the most serious mould problems, the recommended mix is one part Ultima to nine parts water. That can be reduced down to one to 18 for the lightest treatments.
This does mean you can cover a very large area with the 5-litre bottle. Even at the strongest mix, it will cover 400 square metres. The price is only slightly higher than other 5-litre concentrates on the market, so it’s good value for money.
It’s suitable for patios and all other hard surfaces in your garden – decking, paths, greenhouses or sheds. You can even use it to smarten up terracotta pots and garden statues.
The stronger the concentration applied, the faster you’ll see results. Expect to see change in two to three days. And you can rest assured that your patio will be protected from regrowth for up to six months.
The usual limitations apply here: don’t use it near ponds, and don’t walk on it until it’s dry.
Pros:
- Very strong concentrated formula – 5 litres will treat at least 400 square metres
- Dilute to different strengths, depending on how stubborn the staining is
- Suitable for use on patios and all hard surfaces in your garden
Cons:
- Keep it away from ponds or it will kill pondlife
- Don’t walk on it until it’s completely dry.
10. Powerchem Sodium Hypochlorite
With Powerchem, you’re buying pure active ingredient – in this case, sodium hypochlorite. In addition to treating green mould, algae and lichen it will tackle moss and blackspot.
It’s very strong, so test the area you plan to treat by applying a small amount first. On some surfaces – wood, for example – it can bleach the colour.
When you’ve checked the results, you can get started. Apply it straight to your patio – it will begin working within minutes. If you need to give your garden a quick makeover, this is hard to beat.
Dilute the mixture with water to give top-up protection as needed.
Because it’s so strong, this isn’t the best choice for any areas where there are children or pets. You’ll need to keep them away for a full two days after application.
And there are no instructions for use on the label. Fortunately, a quick google will give you all the information you need.
Pros:
- Very fast acting – you’ll see results within minutes
- Will tackle moss and blackspot as well as green mould, algae and lichen
- Can be used dilute to top up protection
Cons:
- Adults, children and pets will need to stay away from treated areas for two days
- Can bleach some surfaces, so test on an inconspicuous area first.
Buying guide
If you’re still not sure which is the right patio cleaner to choose, read on! Here are some questions to consider before you part with your money.
What is causing the staining?
To get the best results, you need to match the product to the source of the staining on your patio.
Most patio cleaners will get rid of green mould and algae. Some are also effective on lichen, although you may find it takes longer to see results.
If your main problem is moss, it’s wise to select a product specifically formulated to kill it. Some green algae removers will work too, but the results can be variable.
And if your patio suffers from blackspot, you’ll need something stronger. Powerchem’s sodium hypochlorite is the best bet for this.
How big is the area you need to treat?
Next consider how large an area you need to clean. Check the coverage of your chosen product, and make sure you have enough for the whole area.
Some concentrated formulas allow you to adjust the strength of the mixture, depending on how severe the staining is. Check the proportions of product to water to make sure you’ll have enough.
Lots of the products on our list can also be used to clean other garden features – paths, sheds, fencing, flowerpots or statues. And Wet & Forget can be used on outdoor textiles too. Consider whether there’s anything else that needs sprucing up when deciding how much to buy.
Who will be using the space – and when?
Last but not least, consider who will be using the space. Will there be children and animals in the area? If so, you’ll need to keep them away until the patio cleaner is dry.
And with stronger formulations, you may need to keep the area clear for much longer. If you’re using the Powerchem cleaner, it will need to be left alone for two days.
Most patio cleaners are toxic to aquatic life. If you have a pond in the area, cover it over before you start work.
Time to clean that patio!
We hope you’ve enjoyed our round-up of ten of the best patio cleaners out there! Identifying the cause of the staining will enable you to choose the option that will give the best results.
Our favourite is Wet & Forget Mould, Algae and Lichen Remover. It gets to work quickly and provides long-lasting protection. And it can be used to clean both hard and soft surfaces around your garden.
Whichever cleaner is right for you, we hope you’re soon enjoying a patio that looks as good as new. Relax and enjoy the fruits of your labours!
