Cleaning Concrete Pool Patios: A Step-By-Step Guide

Keeping your pool patio clean is essential for maintaining the look and style of your entire swimming area. Concrete is a common material for pool patios due to its durability, slip resistance, and relatively low cost compared to other options. While concrete is low-maintenance, it requires occasional cleaning to remove dirt, mildew, and grime build-up. This can be done in a few simple steps: first, sweep away any leaves, twigs, or other debris. Next, prepare a cleaning solution by mixing water, bleach, and dish soap in a bucket. Apply this mixture to the patio using a mop or scrubbing brush, then scrub the surface to remove any dirt or stains. Rinse off the cleaning solution with a hose or pressure washer, being careful to avoid nearby plants and furniture, especially if you've used bleach. For tough stains, you may need a heavier-duty cleaner or a power washer. Finally, apply a waterproof deck coating to protect your patio from future stains and make cleaning easier.

Sweep and rinse the pool patio

To clean a concrete pool patio, you'll first want to sweep and rinse the area. This may seem counterintuitive, but it's important to clean before you deep clean! Use a stiff-bristled broom or brush to give your patio a thorough sweep, removing larger pieces of debris such as fallen leaves and twigs, as well as hard-to-notice layers of dust and dirt.

Sweeping is also a great time to check the condition of your pool patio. While you should save the touch-ups for after deep cleaning, now is the time to take note of potential problem areas. Look out for small cracks and chips in the surface, which can turn into larger problems if not addressed. They can also create safety issues for people walking around your pool.

Once you've swept the patio, it's time to rinse. Use a garden hose with a high-pressure nozzle to spray off the surface. This will remove any remaining dirt and grime and prepare the surface for deep cleaning.

If your patio has a lot of dirt and grime, or if it hasn't been cleaned in a long time, you may want to consider power washing. However, note that power washing can strip paint, so if you want to preserve the paint on your patio, try other methods of cleaning first.

Now that you've swept and rinsed the patio, it's time to move on to the next step of deep cleaning.

Prepare a cleaning solution

Before you start cleaning your concrete pool patio, it's important to prepare a suitable cleaning solution. This will help to loosen dirt, grime, and any stubborn stains, making them easier to remove. Here are the steps you can follow to mix and apply an effective cleaning solution:

Step 1: Gather the ingredients

The specific ingredients you will need depend on the type of stains and dirt you are dealing with. For a basic cleaning solution, you will need a bucket, water, standard household bleach, and a squirt of dish soap. If you prefer a more eco-friendly approach, you can substitute the bleach with warm water and use a mild degreasing dish soap instead.

Step 2: Mix the ingredients

In your bucket, combine 8 parts water with 1 part bleach and 1 part soap. Alternatively, for an eco-friendlier mixture, start with 10 parts water to 1 part degreasing soap, and adjust as needed. Mix the ingredients thoroughly until they are well combined. If you find that your solution is not potent enough, you can gradually add more of the active ingredient (bleach or soap) until you achieve the desired strength.

Step 3: Apply the solution to the patio

Once your cleaning solution is mixed, it's time to apply it to the concrete pool patio. Using a mop or a scrubbing brush, generously apply the mixture all over the concrete surface. Be sure to avoid any plants, flowers, or furniture, as bleach can be harmful to these surfaces.

Step 4: Allow the solution to soak

Let the cleaning solution sit on the concrete for a few minutes. This will give it time to seep into the pores of the concrete and start to loosen any stubborn dirt, grime, or stains. This step is especially important if your patio has not been cleaned in a long time or if it has tough stains that need extra attention.

Step 5: Spot-treat tough stains

If there are particularly stubborn stains or problem areas, you may need to treat them separately. Start by pouring some of your cleaning solution directly onto the stains and scrubbing with a stiff-bristled brush. For extremely tough stains, you can apply a degreaser like trisodium phosphate (TSP) and wait for about 10-15 minutes before scrubbing again. Remember to exercise caution when using strong chemicals like TSP and always follow the safety instructions on the product label.

Spot-treat tough stains

Oxygenated Bleach Solution

Mix one cup of oxygenated bleach with a gallon of warm water. Avoid using chlorinated or chlorine bleach, as these can damage the concrete. If your deck is in a particularly poor state, add a squirt of regular dish soap to the solution instead of adding more bleach.

Pour the solution onto the stain and scrub with a stiff-bristled brush. For tough stains, you may need to let the solution sit for 10-15 minutes before scrubbing.

Trisodium Phosphate (TSP)

If the bleach solution is ineffective, try using a heavier-duty cleaner like TSP. Be sure to wear a breathing mask and rubber gloves when using TSP, even when outside or in a well-ventilated area.

Apply the TSP to the stain and wait 10-15 minutes before scrubbing with a stiff-bristled brush. If the stain persists, reapply the TSP solution and scrub again.

Muriatic Acid

Muriatic acid is effective for removing rust stains. Be sure to wear protective gear when handling this substance, as it is highly corrosive. Always follow the instructions and safety precautions on the label.

Degreaser

For oil and grease stains, use a degreaser such as TSP. Depending on the strength of the degreaser, you may need to dilute it. Be cautious when applying degreasers, as they can sometimes strip paint.

Scrub the pool patio

Once you have your cleaning mixture ready, it's time to start scrubbing the pool patio. For this step, you'll need a scrub brush or broom with hard, stiff, or hard bristles. Begin by applying your cleaning mixture all over the concrete patio. Make sure to avoid any plants, flowers, or furniture, especially if your mixture contains bleach, as it can be harmful to these surfaces.

Let the mixture sit for a few minutes so it can seep into the concrete and start to dissolve any stubborn dirt, mildew, or grime. Then, start scrubbing vigorously, focusing on one section at a time. Put some elbow grease into it, but be careful not to scrub too aggressively, especially if your deck paint is already delicate. Overly vigorous scrubbing can strip and fade paint, so scrub just hard enough to remove the dirt and grime.

If you encounter any tough stains or deposits, you may need to use a heavier-duty cleaner or degreaser like trisodium phosphate (TSP). Apply it to the affected area, wait about 10-15 minutes, and then scrub again. Remember to take the necessary precautions when using strong cleaners like TSP, including wearing a breathing mask and rubber gloves.

Once you're satisfied with the cleanliness of your concrete patio, it's time to rinse off the cleaning mixture. Use a garden hose with a sprayer attachment or a pressure washer to clear away the cleanser and any remaining dirt or grime. Again, be sure to avoid plants, trees, and other nearby surfaces when rinsing, especially if you've used bleach.

Rinse off the patio

Rinsing off the patio is the final step in cleaning your concrete pool patio. It is important to do this step carefully to avoid damaging your patio or surrounding plants.

You should use a hose nozzle, sprayer attachment, or pressure washer to rinse off your cleaning mixture. Be sure to direct the spray away from your pool and any flower beds, trees, or other plants, as well as furniture, especially if you have used bleach or other chemicals to clean the patio. A pressure washer will clear away any remaining dirt or grime, but be aware that it can damage your patio if used too frequently or incorrectly. If you do not own a pressure washer, you can use a garden hose with a sprayer attachment instead.

If you are using a pressure washer, be mindful of the direction in which you are spraying. Point the spray towards your driveway or another drainage point, as bleach solutions can discolour and kill your lawn. You should also be careful not to use too much force when rinsing, especially if your patio is painted, as this can strip and fade the paint.

Once you have thoroughly rinsed the patio, you may want to consider applying a waterproof deck coating to protect the surface and make future cleaning easier.

Frequently asked questions