Get a ‘sparkling patio’ using 35p pantry staple you probably already own

With summer in full swing, homeowners are looking for fast and affordable ways to revive their outdoor spaces. And according to Lucy Steele, a paint and interiors Expert at Valspar Paint, it doesn’t take a huge budget or days of work to create a garden you’ll actually want to spend time in.

In fact, with a few clever tricks, including one that costs as little as 35p, you can transform your garden in less than a day. One of the standout tips from Steele is a surprising patio-cleaning hack that doesn’t require a jet washer or expensive tools. Instead, she recommends using plain white vinegar, a household item that many already have in their kitchen cupboard.

By mixing white vinegar with water in equal parts and applying the solution to the patio surface, you can lift stains, remove grime, and even kill weeds growing between the paving stones.

Lucy said: “A jet washer isn’t essential when it comes to cleaning up your patio. In fact, a simple kitchen cupboard ingredient will do the trick just as well.”

White vinegar is not only effective in cleaning patios and removing any stains, but it can also kill weeds in between paving stones too.

Simply mix together white vinegar and water, at a 50:50 ratio, then apply it to your patio and leave for around 30 minutes. After 30 minutes scrub the patio with a hard brush and wash it down with clean water. 

Repeat this method on any tougher stains.

After letting the mixture sit for around 30 minutes, a firm scrub with a hard brush followed by a rinse with clean water is all it takes to reveal a refreshed and sparkling patio.

For more stubborn stains, repeating the process can yield even better results.

And at around 35p per bottle, white vinegar is one of the most cost-effective patio cleaners available.

So next time you’ve got dirt and weeds caking up your patio, try using some vinegar to give it a good clean, and you’ll have a sparkling patio in time for summer festivities.