How to Clean Patio, Pavers, and Outdoor Furniture with a Pressure Washer

I Learned This One the Hard Way

The first time I pressure washed my patio, I thought I was a genius. I fired up the machine, picked the red nozzle (zero degree, the most concentrated), and held it about two inches from the concrete. Ten seconds later, I had carved a neat little trench in my patio. It looked like a gopher had tried to dig through it. That groove is still there. Every time I see it, I remember: pressure washers don't mess around. They will eat concrete, wood, and skin if you let them.

I've since cleaned probably fifty patios, driveways, and furniture sets. I've made every mistake you can imagine. Let me save you the trouble.

Tools You Actually Need

Don't go crazy buying stuff. Here's what I use every time:

• Pressure washer: 2000-2800 PSI is perfect for home patios. I use a 2300 PSI electric unit. Gas is overkill for 90% of people. Mine cost about $180 at Home Depot.
• Surface cleaner attachment: This is a spinning bar under a flat disc. It keeps the marks even and stops you from gouging your concrete. I paid $60 for mine. Best money I ever spent.
• Turbo nozzle: It spins the water in a circle. Great for tough stains on pavers. Not for furniture.
• 40-degree nozzle (white): For furniture and gentle rinsing.
• 25-degree nozzle (green): For general cleaning.
• 15-degree nozzle (yellow): Only for stripping paint or killing mildew. Don't use it on wood.
• Concrete cleaner/detergent: I use Simple Green Pro HD. Don't use dish soap. It kills your grass.
• A stiff push broom.
• Rubber gloves. Your hands will thank you.
• Shop vac or leaf blower for dry debris.

Prep Like You Mean It

I'm always tempted to skip this part. Don't be like me. I once blasted a pile of loose dirt directly into my neighbor's window. I'm not proud of it.

Step 1: Sweep everything. Get the leaves, the pebbles, the dog hair. If you hit a pebble with 2000 PSI, it becomes a bullet. Sweep it all into a pile and bag it.

Step 2: Wet down the plants. Any plant near your patio is going to get soap and dirt on it. I spray them with water first. Then I cover delicate ones with an old bedsheet or tarp. I killed a row of boxwoods once because I didn't do this. They turned yellow and dropped all their leaves in three days.

Step 3: Plug the drains. If you have a storm drain near your patio, stuff a rag or a sandbag in it. The detergent and dirt will clog it. Your HOA will send you a very angry letter. Ask me how I know.

Step 4: Apply cleaner. Mix your cleaner in the soap tank. Spray it on the patio or pavers. Let it sit for 10 minutes. Do not let it dry. If it dries, you'll get a white film that's a pain to rinse off.

The Actual Cleaning: Patio and Pavers

Here's the golden rule: stay six inches away and keep moving. If you stop moving, you'll mark the surface. I do a slow, steady sweep, like I'm mowing the lawn.

For a concrete patio (smooth finish):

Use the surface cleaner attachment. Fill it with soap, let it sit, then run the surface cleaner over the whole area. Overlap each pass by about 4 inches. You'll see the dirt just lift off. It's weirdly satisfying. After you're done, switch to your 25-degree nozzle and rinse from a foot away. Do not use the 0-degree or 15-degree on smooth concrete. You will scar it. I guarantee it.

For pavers (brick or stone):

Pavers are more forgiving, but they have sand joints. That sand holds the pavers in place. If you blast too close, you'll wash the sand out. I use the 25-degree nozzle held about a foot above the pavers. Work in a zigzag pattern. For stains like oil or rust, use the turbo nozzle at about 10 inches. It'll spin into the cracks without gouging. Plan on about 2 hours for a 400 square foot paver area. You will need new polymeric sand after you're done. Most people skip this, and then their pavers shift within a year. Don't skip it.

A mistake I made: I once thought "more pressure = cleaner" and used my 15-degree nozzle on sandstone pavers. It blew divots in them. Sandstone is soft. Always test an inconspicuous spot first. I test on a paver behind my shed now.

Outdoor Furniture: Don't Blow It Apart

Outdoor furniture is delicate. I learned this when I turned a plastic Adirondack chair into a confetti cannon. The plastic was old and brittle. The pressure washer shredded it into a thousand pieces. My wife still brings this up.

Plastic/resin furniture: Use the 40-degree nozzle. Keep the pressure low (I use the "low" setting on my washer, about 1200 PSI). Hold it at least a foot away. I spray at an angle, so the water doesn't force into the seams and crack the plastic. Clean from top to bottom. Rinse with the same nozzle.

Metal furniture (aluminum or wrought iron): You can use the 25-degree nozzle at about 8 inches. But be careful with paint. If the paint is already peeling, the pressure washer will rip it off. I actually use a scrub brush and a bucket of soapy water on painted metal. It's slower, but it doesn't ruin the finish.

Wood furniture (teak, cedar, etc.): Never use anything tighter than the 40-degree nozzle. I keep it at least 18 inches away. Wood is soft. If you get too close, you'll raise the grain and it'll feel like sandpaper. I only use water. No soap. Soap strips the natural oils out of teak. Then I follow up with a teak sealer once it's dry.

Cushions and fabric: Take them off the furniture. Lay them flat on the driveway. Spray with a 40-degree nozzle from two feet away. Use a mild detergent like Dreft or a fabric-safe cleaner. Let them air dry. Do not power-wash the zippers or seams. I ruined a cushion set because I blasted water right into the zipper. It took three weeks to dry and smelled like a swamp.

The Right Way to Move

Hold the wand with two hands. Seriously. The kickback can twist your wrist if you're not ready. I use a wide stance, feet shoulder-width apart. Sweep side to side, like a slow windshield wiper. Overlap each pass by about 50%. You'll get even results.

If you're using a surface cleaner, just walk at a normal pace. Don't run. Don't stop. If you stop, you'll leave a dark circle. I call them "turtles."

What to Do After You Finish

Step 1: Rinse everything one last time with plain water. Make sure all soap is gone. Soap residue attracts dirt.

Step 2: Let it dry for at least 24 hours before you put furniture back or seal pavers. Wet paving sealer is a nightmare to fix.

Step 3: If you cleaned pavers, sweep new polymeric sand into the joints. Water it lightly to set it. The bag will tell you how.

Step 4: Clean your pressure washer. I fill the soap tank with fresh water and run it for 30 seconds to flush out the detergent. Then I unhook the hose and let the machine idle for 10 seconds to drain the pump. That keeps the seals from rotting.

I know it's a pain, but a $5 fix now saves a $150 repair later. I've replaced two pumps because I was lazy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use bleach or vinegar?

Don't. Bleach kills grass and plants. Vinegar is too weak. Use a dedicated concrete cleaner. It's cheap and it works.

Do I need a gas pressure washer?

No. For patios and furniture, electric is quieter, lighter, and plenty strong. I've got a gas one for stripping paint off a fence. For cleaning, electric is fine.

How often should I do this?

I do my patio once a year in spring. Furniture gets a light clean every couple months if it looks dusty. Over-washing wears down the surface. Concrete doesn't grow a beard. Give it a break.

What about black mold or green algae on the pavers?

That's just mildew. Spray it with a 50/50 mix of water and pool chlorine (sodium hypochlorite). Let it sit for 15 minutes, then pressure wash it off. Wear old clothes. Chlorine will bleach anything it touches.

Can I pressure wash my wood deck?

I don't recommend it. Deck wood is too soft. You'll raise the grain and get splinters. I use a deck brush and a bucket of soapy water. It takes longer, but my feet don't look like I lost a fight with a porcupine.

And that's it. Go grab your pressure washer, avoid my mistakes, and you'll have a patio that actually looks good for once. Just don't blame me if you carve your initials in the concrete. I warned you.