Patio stains can vanish in just half an hour using a simple 84p household item, according to cleaning experts. And it's not baking soda.
The Cheap Solution for Patio Stains
With much of the UK still enjoying a heatwave and many spending the bank holiday outdoors, patios are looking worse for wear after barbecues, drinks, and footfall. Grease, oil, and food marks can leave paving grubby, but there's no need for an expensive pressure washer.
Billy Joe Jarvis, co-founder of patio paint supplier Premium Paints, says some of the most effective patio cleaning solutions are surprisingly affordable and may already be in your kitchen cupboards.
"Most people assume patio stains require industrial cleaners or expensive jet washing," he explained. "But some everyday household products can be surprisingly effective when used correctly. The key is matching the right cleaner to the right stain type."
How to Clean Your Patio with Cola
If your patio is covered in grease marks after a weekend of barbecuing, all you need is a bottle of cola. At Asda, this costs as little as 84p, or you can buy it from Tesco for 85p.
Residual grease from BBQs or outdoor cooking can rapidly sink into the paving, but cola can help dissolve it thanks to its acidity. Simply pour it directly onto the stain, leave it for approximately 30 minutes, then scrub and rinse with warm water. The carbon dioxide in the drink also helps generate a fizzy, bubbling effect that loosens and lifts grime from surfaces.
Other Household Solutions
Cola isn't the only solution for tackling stubborn patio stains. The expert also suggests using denture tablets, which are designed to lift stains and can equally help clean patio corners, edging, or smaller marked areas outdoors. Simply dissolve a couple of tablets in warm water, pour onto the stain, and leave it to fizz before giving it a light scrub.
As weird as it may sound, raw potatoes contain a mild acid that can help shift fresh rust stains left behind by metal garden furniture or plant pots. Just cut a potato in half and rub it directly onto the mark before rinsing clean.
Avoid Harsh Methods
Premium Paints warns homeowners against going overboard with pressure washers or harsh bleach products when cleaning patios, as both can cause lasting damage to paving.
Billy said: "A lot of people think blasting a patio with a pressure washer or strong chemicals is the quickest fix. But it can actually wear the surface down over time. Too much pressure can wash away the jointing sand between slabs, while heavy bleach use can fade certain stones and strip away protective coatings."
For most everyday stains, simple household products are often enough to get the patio looking fresh again, especially if you catch the marks early.
