I transformed my patio in minutes using an everyday 60p item minus the messy old jet wash
A MAN has revealed his 60p trick to rid your patio of mould and algae in minutes – and you don’t need a pricey jet wash either.
Stephen Maddocks suggested using a mixture of bleach and hot water to clean your paving – and insists it works so well that there’s no need to scrub your stones either.
Known online as @stephenmaddocks1173, the content creator regularly shares savvy home hacks and DIY tips with his 440 subscribers.
In a new YouTube video, he said: “This time of the year, springtime, [block paving] tends to have all this gungy, green mould growing in it from the winter time and it starts to look a horrible mess.
“And lots of people tend to use a jet wash but it makes an awful mess all over your car, over the front windows and doorsills, and it’s a right pain to do.
“So just having a look at a better way to do it.”
During the five-minute video, Stephen goes on to share the two-step method he uses relies on every spring.
He starts by hoovering up any loose moss and mould, before filling a watering can with bleach and boiling water.
He continued: “First of all, I always tend to just hoover across, just with one of these Henry hoovers or whatever you’ve got.
“It just takes all the loose muck and dust off it before we start, so it’s a good idea to do that.
“I’ve also lifted the strip drain and took all the leaves and stuff out.
“And then… all we need to do is get an ordinary tub of bleach and pour the whole contents into an old watering can.
“Make sure you’re not using the one you water the flowers with because it won’t do them any good.
“Put the whole contents of one tub of bleach into an old watering can, and while we’re doing this, you want to have a kettle boiling up.”
Stephen goes on to fill his watering can with two kettle’s worth of hot water, before generously pouring the mixture over his patio.
He added: “All we’ve got to do is just water it on, liberally… just let it flow over the block paving.
“And you’ll find that one can of mixture will probably do three square metres of block paving.
“Just pour that on there and you can see it foaming up and going in all the joints, and that will be the bleach doing its job on the green mould and algae.”
He also suggested applying the same mixture to mouldy patches on your fence – just make sure to test a small section first to ensure it doesn’t strip the colour.
Stephen added: “You’ll be really impressed with the results if you just give this a try.
“It’s far better than using a jet wash or anything like that, a lot less hassle.”
Shoppers can pick up bleach from any major supermarket, including Tesco, with prices starting from as little as 55p.
People loved Stephen’s savvy idea, with his step-by-step guide gaining more than 310 reactions and 66,000 views.
In the comments, YouTubers shared their reactions, with one writing: “TAhis was really helpful thank you. I agree about the mess that jet washers make. It’s too much work to have to clean the windows, front door etc.”
“Heading off to my garden to try. Thank you,” commented another.
Although not all were convinced, with another adding: “You started off with very clean looking blocks, but I suspect most people will be looking to clean much dirtier blocks than these and that might need a yard brush to help it. And that, I can tell you, is hard work.”
Someone else put: “Consider the fact that the ‘build up’ you refer to is mostly insect made as they inhabit the voids between the pavers. Also consider that boiling water and bleach should NEVER be mixed . As an experienced exterior cleaner I consider your cleaning method unnecessary, barbaric and very dangerous.”