I’m a patio expert – the 62p trick that’ll get ANY stain out of your slabs including burnt on BBQ grease and oil
ALONG with the arrival of summer comes the dusting off of the barbecue.
But using a BBQ to cook your food can sometimes be a messy process – particularly if yours is set up on the patio.
However, a patio expert has revealed a budget hack for getting rid of any grease or oil stain.
“If you spill something on your patio, the key is to act quickly and clean it before it has a chance to set in,” Georgina Read, Director at Paving Superstore, said.
“You can use a power washer, but it’s often better to target the stain directly to avoid damaging the paving joints with the power of the jet wash.”
The first thing to try on the patio stain is washing up liquid – which you can get for just 62p.
Start by scraping off excess grease with a plastic scraper or spatula, being careful not to scratch the surface of the patio.
Then apply the washing up liquid directly to the stain, and scrub it gently with a brush or cloth.
If you’re still struggling to get rid of the stain, sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda onto the top of it.
“Baking soda is a natural abrasive and will help to lift the grease from the surface,” Georgina added.
Use a stiff-bristled brush to scrub the stain in a circular motion – applying plenty of pressure to work the baking soda and washing up liquid into the stain.
When you’ve finished, rinse the area off with clean water and repeat the whole process if necessary.
If you have a tannin-based stain on your patio – like one made from coffee, tea or tree sap – you can use a power washer, but with care.
“Start at a distance of about three feet and gradually move closer until the stain is removed,” Georgina said.
“Don’t use too much pressure or hold the nozzle too close to the surface, as this can cause damage.”
If your patio is made from sandstone or limestone, you will have to use a lower pressure setting to avoid damage.
Cleaning hacks for outside
IF you want to get your garden summer ready, you'll need to check this out.
ALGAE: If your fence is covered in stubborn algae, Mrs Hinch fans swore by white vinegar to get it looking brand new.
MOSS: If moss is causing you problems, soda crystals will do just the trick.
PATIO: IF your patio slabs have seen better days, bleach could be just the thing for you.
You should also test a small, inconspicuous area first, before moving on to attempting to remove the stain.
If you’ve yet to put in a patio, you should consider having one made of porcelain.
“Porcelain is best as it’s 99 per cent non-porous, so stains are less likely to take hold,” she added.
“Just be sure to keep it clear of debris and leaves to prevent any temporary stains from occurring.”