Remove stubborn black spots from patios in 15 minutes with expert’s 1 ‘cheap’ natural item

Remove stubborn black spots from patios in 15 minutes with expert’s 1 ‘cheap’ natural item (Image: Getty)

Patios often bear the brunt of various stains such as oil spills, moss and regular dirt - however, these are relatively simple to clean.

The real challenge arises when dealing with black spots on patios. Eradicating these dark marks from your patio can prove to be a tough and time-consuming task if you don’t have the right black spot remover at hand.

Black spot is essentially lichen that thrives on stone surfaces in the damp and shady conditions so prevalent in the UK.

As the lichen matures, it burrows into the pores of the stone, drawing nutrients from the minerals within the stone and gradually spreading across the surface of the patio.

With this in mind, Tom Allen of TGA Concrete Pumping, has shared his advice on how to eliminate black spots from your patio using citric acid, which he describes as “a fairly common household item that is cheap to buy”.

Get gardening advice straight to your phone Join us on WhatsApp

Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. Read our Privacy Policy

Black spot is essentially lichen that thrives on stone surfaces in the damp and shady conditions (Image: Getty)

He stated: “Black spots, typically caused by algae, moss, or mould, can make patios appear dirty and neglected, and while solutions like baking soda and vinegar are often recommended for cleaning, citric acid is another household item readily available in supermarkets that can effectively tackle these stubborn stains.”

Before embarking on the patio cleaning process, start by assembling the necessary supplies. You will need citric acid powder, a large bucket, warm water, a scrubbing brush or broom with stiff bristles, and a watering can or spray bottle.

Next on the list is whipping up a homemade patio cleanser. Grab a sizeable bucket and blend about one cup of citric acid powder with a gallon of hot water.

Give the solution a good stir until the powder is fully dissolved and tweak the mix depending on how large the patch you’re tackling is.

Citric acid will sort out patio black spots (Image: Getty)

Load up your watering can or spray bottle and coat the patio’s blemished spots evenly with the citric acid formula, not skimping on the amount so it gets right into the surface.

Leave the concoction to work its magic for 15 to 20 minutes, during which time the citric acid will “break down and loosen the black spots”, aiding their removal.

When the time is up, grab a scrub brush or stiff-bristled broom and give the patio a proper once-over. Get into those heavily dotted areas and don’t shy away from a bit of elbow grease to shift those stubborn marks.

After delivering a good scrubbing, hose down the patio to wash off all remnants of the citric acid concoction.

This natural alternative to abrasive chemicals is kinder to the environment and those using it, truly a win-win for cleaning your outdoor space.

A 250g box of citric acid can be snagged from Robert Dyas for a mere £3.79, or if you’re looking to stock up, it can be purchased in bulk from Amazon for £7.29.

If citric acid doesn’t do the trick in removing those pesky black spots from your patios, fear not as you can grab the Pro-Kleen Ultimate Patio Cleaner from Amazon for £24.95 down from £29.95 which focuses on patio black spots and lichen.

Customers find that the product works well, is easy to use, and makes their patio look new. However, some have issues with the smell.