IS your garden patio looking a little worse for wear after a winter of heavy rainfall?
Well, it turns out there’s no need to fork out a small fortune on a pricey pressure washer…because there’s a super simple way you can make yours look brand new again in an instant.
And perhaps the best part of all? It costs just 70p.
In a clip shared to TikTok, a woman, who goes by @clean_with_anouk, shared another social media user’s advice which read: “Use bleach in a bucket of warm water and pour it over all the patio and leave it, then scrub with a broom.”
The cleaning whizz then decided to test it out for herself, and uploaded a short clip as she recreated the exact method using the 70p ‘Thick Bleach’ by Sainsbury’s.
Clearly delighted with the results, she enthused: “Thank you! This definitely was much easier!”
Need to try this – my patio is so dirty
Social media user
It wasn’t long before the post went viral, racking up over 510k views and hundreds of comments, with one social media user noting: “Done this for years!”
A second advised: “Use cold water – it activates the bleach.”
“Need to try this – my patio is so dirty!” a third commented.
Meanwhile, a fourth added: “I mix bleach, washing up liquid and water in my mop bucket and scrub with a broom, gets rid of all the green stuff.”
Elsewhere, others warned of the dangers to the wildlife in the garden and instead shared their alternative cheap and cheerful suggestions, with washing powder also proving to be a popular solution.
“What to do is use non bio washing powder, spread it over driveway or patio, leave it overnight and put bleach on it next day and rinse it comes up clean as a whistle,” wrote one.
A second penned: “I’ve just cleaned mine with hot water and non-bio washing powder, works a treat every time.”
“I’ve seen loads of people use cheap soap powder and they come up amazing,” a third agreed.
Elsewhere, another person recommended B&M’s £3.99 patio and decking cleaner, while a few others raved about Patio Magic, which can be bought for £12.75 at B&Q.
“Honestly buy patio magic it works a dream,” one person commented.
Another added: “Patio magic is great, also helps prevent grow back.”
The Sun's Gardening Editor, Veronica Lorraine, has shared the tasks you need to crack on with in May.
GARDEN growth can go from nought to ninety in May, depending on the weather. The last UK frosts are generally seen at the beginning of the month, so all of a sudden there’s so much more to do and grow.
Plant out dahlia tubers
It’s a joy to finally plant out your dahlia tubers. Remember how big they can get – and space accordingly – anything up to half a metre apart.
It’s a good idea to put your support stakes in now instead of trying to work around them.
And make sure you include lots of well rotted manure or decent compost to feed it and then mulch to keep it moist and suppress weeds. They generally start blooming in July.
Final feed to Spring flowers
You can give a cheeky feed to all your remaining tulips and daffodils.
Although the majority of bulbs aren’t guaranteed to come back year after year any more, as long as you’ve left them to die back naturally there’s a good chance they’ll have stored enough energy to come back again. Tomato feed is fine.
Tie up climbers
Your clematis, honeysuckle and rambling roses should be well on their way by now – try to use plastic free string to tie them back into their support, or tuck them round each other to make sure they don’t sprout off in crazy directions.
Feed the lawn
It’s not too late to give your lawn a good feed.
Whether you use granular or liquid, it can give it a good boost to see it through the harsher summer months.
While mowing, don’t go too low with your cut length yet and never take more than a third off the grass height.
Get creative
It’s also time to get creative with hanging baskets and pots.
Trailing pelargoniums, which a lot of people call geraniums, and Begonias are a good, low cost way of getting lovely returning blooms throughout the summer in your baskets.
And pots can be planted with spring bulbs.
Don’t forget the greenhouse!
Give your greenhouse a good tidy and clean the glass inside and out.
The improved light will help plants grow quicker inside and tidying is good for the soul.
You can just use a household white wine vinegar and water solution – or even neat if you’re feeling spendy – which gives a really good shine.
