Key Takeaways
-
Use oxygen bleach and a stiff brush to remove grime, mold, and mildew from concrete.
-
Avoid chlorine bleach and wire brushes to prevent plant damage and material wear.
-
Regular sweeping and quick cleanup of spills help keep sidewalks cleaner longer.
Don’t get us wrong, pressure washers are great for making it easy to tackle some of the toughest, grimiest places along your charming exterior, but it’s not the only way to clean some areas. If you don’t own a pressure washer or don’t feel like shelling out the money to rent one, there are other options you can choose from to get a sparkling-clean sidewalk. You just may have to put more elbow grease into the work. Here’s how you can deep-clean your sidewalk without a pressure washer, including a few extra tips from a professional.
Meet the Expert
-
Marjohn Oviedo is the founder of Rapid Concrete Leveling in North Carolina.
Why Do Sidewalks Get So Dirty?
Being exposed to the outdoor elements causes dirt and grime to build up over time. If you have a concrete sidewalk, things like dust, pollen, and dirt tend to seep into the porous material and eventually turn into mold or mildew from any moisture. Then, if your car is parked in the driveway, you have oil and other elements dripping from your car that can stain the area too.
The longer these elements sit, the harder it becomes to get them out, which is when a pressure washer tends to be the better option. The pressure from these machines does a great job at lifting out the elements that have settled into the surface, but if you catch them early, you won’t need to rely on this excessive pressure.
What You’ll Need
Here is everything you’ll need to clean a dirty sidewalk without a pressure washer.
-
A very stiff push-broom or deck brush
How To Clean A Sidewalk Without A Pressure Washer
Sweep Away Debris
Start by clearing off your sidewalk. Using your broom or brush, sweep away any loose grass clippings, leaves, or anything else from your sidewalk.
Spray The Surface
Now use your garden hose and its spray nozzle (if you have one) to spray the sidewalk. You want to wet the surface so it will make it easier for your solution to loosen the grime.
Apply Oxygen Bleach First
Marjohn Oviedo, the founder of Rapid Concrete Leveling, recommends starting with this solution first to get algae, mold, or mildew out of the concrete. “Mix sodium percarbonate with warm water, pour it on a pre-wet walk, let it sit 20 to 30 minutes without drying, then scrub and rinse,” he says.
Finish With Dish Soap And Warm Water
After the oxygen bleach, going back over the area with a mix of dish soap and water is a good way to finish cleaning the sidewalk. Oviedo says, “This is a good combination for handling the rest, since concrete holds an oily film that soap lets water get under. For oil spots, cover them in clay cat litter for a day first, because oil sits in the concrete rather than on it.”
Common Mistakes To Avoid
Cleaning your sidewalk without a pressure washer is actually pretty easy, but there are a few mistakes you should aim to avoid. Those include:
-
Using chlorine bleach: Unlike oxygen bleach which is a safer alternative, chlorine bleach can kill nearby plants and discolor your sidewalk.
-
Scrubbing with a wire brush: Metal brushes can eventually lead to rust if any little pieces are left behind, and they can also damage the material.
-
Cleaning at the hottest part of the day: The key for these solutions to work is for them to not dry, which can happen if you work at the hottest part of the day rather than in the morning.
How To Keep Your Sidewalk Cleaner For Longer
Let’s face it, it can be harder to keep things outside clean, but that doesn’t mean you can’t prevent your sidewalk from becoming dirty again soon after cleaning. To keep your sidewalk cleaner for longer, try to remember to sweep debris off the surface routinely so nothing has a chance to set in. This may require you to pull out the hose every so often to wash away things like oil, fertilizer, or anything else as soon as it’s spilled.
Read the original article on Southern Living