Clean the patio and driveway in just half an hour using 2 ingredients - Daily Record

Spring is almost here, the weather is improving by the day and we are all looking forward to spending time outdoors in our gardens.

But before we can do that, there's usually cleaning to be done after months of winter onslaught. Hardstanding areas like patios, paving stones and driveways will have suffered and need some TLC.

Cleaning slabs and patio areas might seem like a backbreaking task or you might be considering using a pressure washer to shift the build up of dirt and grime and even algae which thrives in dark and wet conditions. But there are two household staples that can tackle the job for you with ease.

Experts at StovesAreUs say that cleaning these parts of the garden is easy if you utilise your washing up liquid or even some vinegar. And even bad stains can be removed in around 30 minutes, reports The Express.

But firstly you need to prepare the areas which will be covered in dirt, grime and even algae after the winter. “Start by sweeping away any debris with a brush and make sure to avoid a rake as this can damage your tiles.

"Once the debris is cleared away, look for stains on the tiles and tackle these next. The good news is cleaning these stains can be very simple, and you can use household products you likely already have.”

The first port of call should be washing up liquid, which you will probably already have in the house. Add a squirt of it to a bucket of warm water.

Next you should dampen a hard-bristled brush with this solution and scrub the stain gently to loosen it before rinsing.

If you have more stubborn stains, which are very common as they have built up over winter, you can make another homemade solution that will tackle the more persistent marks.

The experts said: “Use a solution comprising 50% white vinegar and 50% warm water.

“To use this solution, pour it over the stubborn stains and leave them for about half an hour or so. Then, use a hard-bristled brush again with warm, soapy water to remove them."

White vinegar can be purchased for as little as 30p from supermarkets such as Tesco and is useful for a variety of garden jobs.

Homeowners who have a pressure washer are also being warned about using it in every area of the garden as they can cause damage to certain surfaces.

The StovesAreUs expert added: “If you have a pressure washer, you may want to use this to get rid of dirt fast, but bear in mind that these aren’t suitable for all surfaces.”

Avoid using pressure washers on soft, natural tiles such as sandstone, and keep them away from painted wood patios, as these can cause the paint to chip.