Best patio cleaners for an immaculate outdoor space

Fed up of slippery pathways, and unsightly moss, algae and mildew ruining the look of your lovely garden patio? Well you're not alone, and you're in the right place.

A build up of moss and dirt is unfortunately fairly inevitable with patios, so it's a wise idea to have an effective patio cleaner to hand. Luckily, there are plenty of straightforward and affordable solutions available to help you smarten up your patio.

What kind of patio cleaners are there?

First, think about exactly what you'll be cleaning, as there are plenty of multi-purpose patio cleaners available. As algae and moss can affect caravans, greenhouses and brickwork too, it could be worth investing in a formula that works on a variety of outdoor surfaces.

Patio cleaner ingredients can also vary, and you may want to opt for a bleach-free, non-toxic solution for a more eco-friendly and pet-safe alternative to those made with potentially harmful chemicals. Find out more about how to deep clean your decking and patio.

Finally there's additional equipment to consider. While many patio cleaners work on their own, or with the help of a basic garden brush, you way wish to invest in a pressure washer for a more powerful clean. You'll find patio cleaner solutions that work both with and without a pressure washer in our round-up.

So take a browse below at our best patio cleaner round-up, and rejuvenate your garden.

Doing up your garden and looking for inspiration? Read our guide on patio or decking: which is best?

Best patio cleaners for 2023

Jeyes 4-in-1 Patio and Decking Outdoor Cleaner

Remove mould, algae, mildew and dirt with this 4-in-1 patio cleaner from Jeyes. Easy to use, just dilute the solution in water, apply to your surface and leave to dry - a hassle-free pick, ideal for those who don't fancy scrubbing. As well as helping to smarten up the appearance of your outdoor area, this formula keeps everything clean too by removing 99.9% of germs and bacteria.

This Jeyes solution works on tarmac, so you can keep your driveway looking its best too. It'll also work with your pressure washer if you're looking for a more intense clean.

Patio Magic

Patio Magic is a bit of an all-rounder that's sure to come in handy as it works on a wide range of outdoor surfaces. As well as patios and driveways, this solution can be used to clean greenhouses, brickwork, glazed pots and conservatories, so you can give your whole garden a quick spruce up. It'll also work as caravan cleaner - get your campervan holiday ready in time for summer!

You shouldn't have to wait too long to see effective results, as it's designed to kill green mould and algae in just two to four days.

This is another scrub-free solution. Just dilute and saturate the area - a watering can will do the trick - and leave the formula to work its magic. Easy.

For an organised spring clean, check out our room-by-room deep clean guide.

Ultima-Plus XP Organic Path and Patio Cleaner

If you're looking for a patio cleaner that's free of harsh chemicals and toxins, this organic formula could do the trick. It's bleach-free, making it a sensible choice if you're worried about staining your slabs and thanks to its non-toxic nature, it's safe to use around pets and pond life.

Use on fencing, driveways, stone and even your water features. After spraying on the diluted formula, leave it for a few days. You can then brush any loose debris away to complete the job.

Smarten up your fence too with our favourite shed paints.

Kärcher K2 Power Control Home Pressure Washer and Patio Cleaner

• Buy now from Homebase (£149.00)

This cleaning kit comes with a pressure washer and the solution, so you've got everything you need to get stuck in to a deep cleaning session. While it's a more expensive option, a pressure washer could be a worthwhile investment as you can use them to clean muddy bikes and car wheels as well as patios and garages.

This nifty pressure washer can be wheeled along like a suitcase, allowing you to park up, and blast away any unwanted weeds and moss.

You can vary the pressure of this Kärcher K2 device, depending on the surface you're washing, and there's even an app which offers guidance on how best to clean specific areas.

Still at the DIY garden stage? Learn how to lay a patio.

Wet & Forget Mould and Algae Remover

As the catchy name suggests, this patio cleaner is straightforward to use - just spray onto your surface and let it do its thing. It's designed to kill and remove mould, lichen and algae and can be used on your roof, block paving and tarmac. As a plus, this is a bleach-free, biodegradable formula.

This bottle makes 30L of solution which should keep you going for a while, and you've got the option to buy the solution on its own, or with a sprayer too.

Algon Organic Patio Cleaner

For a pet-friendly patio cleaner, give Algon a go. No need to rinse, just apply and leave. You can use a garden sprayer, or a soft brush will do the trick.

The organic formula is non-toxic so it's a wildlife-friendly option.

Pro-Kleen Patio and Driveway Cleaner

While most patio cleaners on the market require diluting, Pro-Kleen's solution can be applied neat. It can be left on your grimy and dirty area of choice for a couple of hours, or overnight if possible, before being washed away with a hose. You can scrub or brush it too so it's one to consider if you've got a particularly stubborn stain in need of tackling.

Read our guide on how to clean your BBQ and make sure you're ready for al fresco gatherings!