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How to Clean a Concrete or Cement Patio with Bleach

Learn how a simple bleach solution and a quick scrubbing session can help transform the look of your dirty concrete or cement patio.

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Over time, dirt and algae buildup can turn your patio into an icky, slippery eyesore. Here are a couple of ways to refresh your patio with bleach, water and a little elbow grease.  

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Cleaning a patio with bleach is easy.

Whether your patio is sealed concrete or cement, or even sealed concrete pavers, a bleach and water solution makes it easy to clean away built up soil, stains from leaves and pollen, mold, mildew and algae. Fortunately, a little Clorox® Disinfecting Bleach or Clorox® Outdoor Bleach can help make your patio refresh an easy afternoon project. 

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Gather your supplies

Steps to clean a patio with Clorox® Disinfecting Bleach

  1. 1

    Clear the area

    Start by moving any patio furnishings like furniture, rugs, bbq grills, and toys off the patio and away from the area.

  2. 2

    Sweep or blow away lose dirt and leaves

    Use a broom or a leaf blower to get rid of loose debris and make cleaning with the bleach solution easier.

  3. 3

    Make the bleach and water solution

    Fill a plastic bucket with 1 gallon of water then add 1/3 cup Clorox® Disinfecting Bleach. Wear gloves, safety glasses and clothing that you don’t mind accidentally splashing with bleach solution.

    liquid pouring from glass container
  4. 4

    Pre-wet the patio surface

    Use a garden hose with a sprayer to rinse the patio. 

    Tip

    To protect any nearby plants and landscaping, water these first before applying the bleach solution. It’s easiest to do this at the same time you rinse the patio. 

  5. 5

    Apply the bleach solution

    Dip the deck brush in the bleach and water solution and then scrub the patio, working from one end of the patio to the other. For general cleaning and disinfecting, the bleach and water solution should contact the surface for 6 minutes. 

    Tip

    For mold and mildew stains, allow the bleach solution to contact the surface for 10 minutes.

  6. 6

    Rinse the patio

    Rinse the patio thoroughly using the garden hose and sprayer, then re-water nearby plants and landscaping that were exposed to the bleach and water solution during cleaning or rinsing. 

  7. 7

    Air dry

    Allow the patio to air dry completely before replacing outdoor décor. 

    open window with curtains

Steps to clean a patio with Clorox® Outdoor Bleach

  1. 1

    Clear the area

    Start by moving any patio furnishings like furniture, rugs, bbq grills, and toys off the patio and away from the area.

  2. 2

    Sweep or blow away lose dirt and leaves

    Use a broom or a leaf blower to get rid of loose debris and make cleaning with the bleach solution easier. 

  3. 3

    Mix the bleach and water solution

    Add 2 ⅔ cups Clorox® Outdoor Bleach to the pump sprayer and then add 13 ⅓ cups water to make 1 gallon of bleach solution. Wear gloves, safety glasses and clothing that you don’t mind accidentally splashing with bleach solution.  

    liquid pouring from glass container
  4. 4

    Pre-wet the patio surface

    Use a garden hose with a sprayer to rinse the patio. 

    Tip

    To protect any nearby plants and landscaping, water these first before applying the bleach solution. It’s easiest to do this at the same time you rinse the patio.

  5. 5

    Apply the bleach solution

    Prime the pump sprayer, then use it to apply the bleach and water solution evenly across the patio surface.

    Tip

    Allow the bleach solution to contact the surface for up to 15 minutes. Work in smaller sections if the patio is too large to finish in that time.

  6. 6

    Scrub the deck

    Scrub with the deck brush as needed for tough stains. 

  7. 7

    Rinse the patio

    Rinse the patio thoroughly using the garden hose and spray nozzle, then re-water nearby plants and landscaping that were exposed to the bleach and water solution during cleaning and rinsing. 

    Tip

    When finished, rinse the pump sprayer, including the hose and nozzle, by running clean water through it before storage.

  8. 8

    Air dry

    Allow the patio to air dry completely before replacing outdoor décor. 

    open window with curtains

Frequently asked questions

Can I use Clorox® Disinfecting Bleach in a pump sprayer?

Yes—after mixing the bleach and water solution in the bucket as directed then add it to the pump sprayer, being careful not to overfill it. You will have a small amount of bleach and water solution left over that you can add later. 

Can I use Clorox® Outdoor Bleach in a bucket instead of a pump sprayer?

Yes—when mixing Clorox® Outdoor Bleach with water, gently stir it to not cause excessive foaming from the cleaning agents.