COLOURED GARDEN PAVING SLABS

[claybury]

what is the best detergent to use for cleaning slabs with a power washer, It would have to be one that is harmless to animals and wildlife. many thanks for any ideas.

[danchip]

i use watered down bleach on my paving slabs and my 2 year old, dog, other wildlife and also lawn and flower beds have suffered no ill effects since doing so,

previous to this i had used detergents specifically for cleaning slabs and they didn't clean them as well and also often left brown patches where the lawn had been splashed

[carlton23]

I find the power washer is quite powerful enough without any help from detergents.

[heathfield]

A couple of handfuls of washing soda crystals dissolved in a bucket of warm water. Slosh it on the slabs, give them a quick scrub with a stiff broom, then hose off. Gets rid of moss, too.

[Whoever]

I've used both Fairy Liquid and Jeyes Fluid with a good stiff broom and plenty of elbow grease.
One of the problems with using a power washer is that its action is so harsh that it often removes the thin protective coating that is put on the slabs. Once this has been removed all the dirt stains adhere to them more quickly and subsequently make it even more difficult to remove them unless you take the time and trouble to replace the protective coating. You can get this patio sealant from good DIY stores like B & Q.