Keep Your Outdoor Tile Patio Beautiful, Clean and Free of Mold
Outdoor tile patios are common in warmer climates of the United States like Arizona, Florida, New Mexico, and California.
It is easy to keep an outdoor tile patio clean if you do regular maintenance. WHAT TOOLS DO YOU NEED? To clean an outdoor tile patio, you will need the right tools. Your local hardware store should have everything you need:
REMOVE THE FURNITURE FROM THE PATIO It’s best to clean the entire outdoor tile patio surface every time you clean, so move patio furniture from the tile. Don’t just clean “around” furniture. This will increase the chance that your outdoor tile patio will become unevenly colored over time. Remember, you want to preserve the quality of your outdoor tile patio to maintain your home’s value. REMOVE LARGE DEBRIS To clean your outdoor patio tiles, you need to clean off the large debris first. Use a leafblower or the stiff bristled broom to remove leaves, loose algae, dry dirt particles and any other debris. DECIDE WHETHER YOU NEED CLEANER It’s recommended that most tile patios be cleaned every other week with a broom, then with a mop and hot water. Regular maintenance can help you avoid frequent use of chemical cleaners on your outdoor tile patio. Mopping with hot water on a regular basis can help limit the number of times per year you need to use a chemical cleaner. CHOOSE AN OUTDOOR TILE PATIO CLEANER You want to get dirt, mold, algae, and other stains off your outdoor patio tile. You also need to protect everything around your patio. Many cleaners are toxic to plants, pets, and koi fish in ponds. You have to think about where your runoff water will flow as you rinse the cleaner off your patio. DO NOT USE BLEACH TO CLEAN OUTDOOR TILE This is why we do not recommend bleach as a cleaner. Using bleach as a cleaner will kill your plants, put your pets in danger and kill your koi fish. You need a cleaner that is safe for plants, pets, and koi fish in ponds. That’s why we recommend Simix Multi-Surface Cleaner, will is proven to be environmentally safe and is actually good for your plants. MIX AND APPLY THE CLEANER We always recommend that you test any new cleaner on an inconspicuous area before you use it on a larger area.
CLEANING THE GROUT Grout on your outdoor tile patio gets dirty faster because it is more porous. If you are not satisfied with the way the grout looks after taking the above steps, mix a more concentrated solution of cleaner in a small bowl or bucket and use a toothbrush or soft scrubbing brush. YOU’RE DONE - TIME TO SIT BACK AND ENJOY YOUR PATIO But wait! Do not put furniture back on the outdoor tile patio until the tile has completely dried. |