Patio Cleaner vs Pressure Washer – Which Should You Use?

If you’re trying to decide whether to buy a pressure washer or use a chemical patio cleaner, you’re not alone. Both methods promise a cleaner patio — but they work very differently and deliver different results. The right choice depends on what you’re cleaning, how quickly you want results, and how long you want them to last. In this guide, we’ll explain how each method works, where each one excels, and when combining them gives you the best outcome. By the end, you’ll know which option suits your patio best.

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Understanding the Two Approaches

A pressure washer (or jet wash) is a mechanical cleaning method. It uses force to blast dirt, algae and debris off the surface. It is excellent at shifting mud, loose grime and surface growth quickly. However, it only works on what you can physically hit with water. It does not treat growth beneath the surface.

A chemical cleaner works differently. Instead of force, it uses chemical reactions to kill organisms and break down staining. A proper chemical patio cleaner is designed to penetrate into stone and kill growth at root level. This makes it better at solving underlying problems such as black spots and regrowth.

In simple terms, pressure washers clean what you can see. Chemical cleaners deal with what you can’t.

The key insight is this: these are not competing methods. They are complementary. Used correctly together, they give the best result — immediate improvement and long-lasting cleanliness.

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Detailed Comparison

No method wins every category. Each has strengths — and limitations.

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When to Use a Pressure Washer

A pressure washer is the right choice when:

• You’re dealing with heavy mud, construction dirt or solid debris

• You want immediate, visible change

• You’re preparing a surface before chemical treatment

• You’re cleaning hard surfaces such as concrete or granite

• A property viewing or garden event is approaching quickly

However, caution is needed on:

• Sandstone and limestone

• Block paving (joint sand can be washed out)

• Failing pointing or cracked joints

• Pattern-imprinted concrete

Pressure washing is excellent for impact — but without follow-up treatment, regrowth is usually fast.

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When to Use Chemical Patio Cleaner

A chemical cleaner is the better choice when:

• Pressure washing doesn’t remove black spots

• You want to stop rapid regrowth

• You’re cleaning natural stone (sandstone, limestone, porcelain)

• The patio area is large and manual washing is impractical

• You prefer a low-effort solution

• You want results that last months, not days

Chemical cleaners handle what water can’t — the cause of staining, not just the appearance.

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Best Results: Use Both Together

The best results come from combining both methods.

Start with a chemical treatment first. This kills growth at the root and penetrates the stone. Leave it to dwell properly — depending on product type, this may take days or weeks.

Once the growth has died and loosened, use a gentle pressure wash or normal hosing to remove residue.

This approach gives you:

• Immediate visual improvement

• Long-term cleanliness

• Reduced regrowth

• Less surface damage

Ready to try the combined approach? See our Patio Guard product.