Using the best patio scrubbing brush to tackle unsightly grime in your patio or decking is a surefire way to keep your outdoor space in top condition. If you’re not looking to make a splash with a pressure washer, a manual, hands-on approach might suit you better. After all, we can’t see any reasons as to why you shouldn’t go back to basics. We’ve found the best outdoor brushes to help.
To help scrub your way to success, it’s likely that you’ll need a decent patio cleaner. No matter how big our decking or patio is, a patio cleaner will make this chore a little more bearable – and way more effective. We’re certainly not discounting your skills when armed with a brush, but an easy-to-apply patio cleaner will take minimal effort and with a scrub, will have fabulous results.
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Keeping your patio clean and tidy is something we strive to achieve. For all of us outdoorsy people, the patio is our go-to space to catch up with friends, play with the kids, relax, and even work during the warmer months. All the more reason to keep it looking its best. Something like a patio pressure washer may get the job done faster, but using a garden brush to tackle your filthy patio will make the end result feel much more deserved. Just like gardening by hand, it evokes a great feeling.
So, we’ve found the best patio scrubbing brush for your outdoor space. For those of us who prefer to rely on ourselves to get the job done – as opposed to some garden tech like a cordless pressure washer – a garden brush will do the trick. Though it may take a little more time to get the decking sparkling, you’ll be feeling all the better for it – and you will have saved some dosh, too. Result.
Best patio scrubbing brush at a glance:
Best patio scrubbing brush
Best patio scrubbing hand brush
Newman and Cole This traditional brush from Newman and Cole has a short-handled design that will be familiar to anyone who has ever used a dust pan and brush. The body of the brush is made from natural wood, while the bristles are also natural, made from robust bassine fibres.
The handle is gently shaped to offer a more ergonomic grip and there is a handy hanging hole so you can attach a cord to the brush for handy storage.
Pros
- Entire brush is made from all-natural materials
- Short handle for a firm grip
Cons
- Will take a while to dry once wet
Best versatile patio brush set
Hilka www.argos.co.uk
This Hilka Paving Deck Patio Brush Set contains a brush with 6 x 19 rows of plastic wires suitable for scrubbing surfaces. The heavy-steel wire brush is ideal for difficult-to-clean surfaces. Plus, the three rows of copper-coated steel wire brushes will make an effective heavy-duty scraper.
The extending tubular steel handle is easily adjusted. So, this device easily removes weeds, moss, and cleans dirt from patios, block paving, and paving stones. Perfect for multiple jobs outdoors.
Pros
- Easily removes weeds, moss, and cleans dirt
- Steel wire brushes with heavy-duty scraper
- With attachments and adjustable steel handle
Cons
- The brush head is smaller than some anticipated
Save 25%
Best electric patio scrubbing brush
RyobiIf manual scrubbing doesn't appeal, or you have a particularly large patio space to keep clean, it may be worth considering investing in an electric scrubbing brush. This Ryobi option forms part of its ONE+ share battery power tool range, so offers the convenience of wire-free cleaning.
The battery rotates the hard-bristled roller brush to remove any moss, weeds, or dirt from your garden's hard surfaces. As an alternative to a pressure washer, this offers less splashy mess, but do bear in mind the debris will need to be swept up.
Pros
- Handle has a telescopic height adjustment
- Auxiliary handle for improved control
Cons
- Battery needs to be purchased separately
Best ergonomic patio scrubbing brush
IB KOOTAn Amazon's Choice product, we recommend this Heavy Duty Hand Scrubber if you're needing something ergonomic for a comfortable hold. This will enable you to perfectly clean patios without too much hand strain.
This scrubbing brush is made of highly durable material and the bristles are made of super-strong fibres and have a strong cleaning ability. You can really get stuck in with this scrubbing brush.
Pros
- Bristles are made from strong fibres
- Made from highly durable material
- Ergonomic handle for comfortable cleaning
Cons
- Bristles not stiff enough for some
Best wire patio scrubbing brush
TBDSThe TDBS Heavy-Duty Wire Brush Twin Pack includes a long-handle wire brush and a block brush to complete your basic cleaning tool kit and help you remove heavy grime and dirt. These steel brushes for cleaning have four rows of metal steel bristles which are convenient for a thorough surface cleaning.
The metal brush set allows you to remove heavy dirt stuck on concrete, metal, stone, and wood surfaces. It's a lightweight brush and easy to use - as well as hold. Reviewers praise the angled design for a strong and efficient grip.
Pros
- Heavy-duty alloy steel brushes
- Lightweight and easy to hold
- Ideal 2-in-1 set for abrasive cleaning
Cons
- Some customers question the longevity
Best long-handled patio scrubbing brush set
Roughneck www.halfords.com
Ideal for tackling decking, patios, and beyond, this Roughneck Patio & Decking Brush Set is a great three-piece set. It comes complete with a heavy-duty scrub wire brush, outdoor wire brush, and steel handle to make easy work of this job we'd rather not be doing.
One reviewer praises this set for its multitasking abilities - they have seen success preparing decking for painting, removing weeds, and shifting slab discolouration. Coming with an impressive guarantee and a promise of versatility, we had to include this.
Pros
- Versatile cleaning, no matter the surface
- The set is primed for abrasive cleaning
- Steel handle makes it accessible for some
Cons
- May work best on decking
Best budget patio scrubbing brush
Charles Bentley If you only have a small patio space, or maybe just a balcony, there's no need to spend out a fortune on a fancy scrubbing brush set. This simple block brush from Charles Bentley is a compact and affordable choice that's ideal for occasional use.
This classic brush has a durable, eight-inch wooden body and stiff bassine bristles. Reviewers describe this as fabulous for a cheap, no-frills option.
Pros
- Eco-friendly, plastic-free construction
- Multi-purpose usage around your home and garden
Cons
- No integrated handle
How we chose the best patio scrubbing brush
All of these patio scrubbing brushes have been hand-selected by our team of Modern Gardens shopping experts. We carefully considered the style, materials, and, of course, the number of pockets in our selection of the best. Our team has spent hours investigating and researching all types of scrubbing brushes suitable for your patio to make it easier for you to find the very best, and we'd never recommend a product we don't believe in.
Where possible, we also test and share the latest and best products you should know about. And with help from Modern Gardens Magazine, Garden News, and Garden Answers, we share expert gardening knowledge to help you get the most from your product.
How to use a patio brush?
Thanks to Deborah Eaton at Simply Paving, we have a guide on how to clean a patio – with your lovely (and new) patio brush. So, get scrubbing. After all, summer is here – and the unsightly grime on your patio is making an appearance after months of wind, frost and heavy downpours.
Before you start scrubbing, make sure to remove all furniture and brush any debris off your patio.
Apparently, you don’t need fancy products to clean a patio without a pressure washer, says Simply Paving, who claim that the “most effective patio cleaning products is good old-fashioned washing-up liquid mixed with warm tap water.” So, the method below doesn’t involve any patio cleaner.
Washing-up liquid method
Requirements: Bucket, warm water, washing-up liquid, hard-bristled brush
After adding washing-up liquid and warm water to a bucket, you need to start from the corners of your patio and work your way in. Simply “splash a little water, grab your brush and scrub,” says Deborah. Here, the dirt and debris will begin to lift as you rinse away as you go. She has a top tip on your scrubbing method: “scrub diagonally; this will be gentler on the jointing compound.”
Repeat this routine as you work your way into the centre, covering the entire patio. If your patio is a whopper, you may need to top up your solution a few times. When finished, you need to use a fresh bucket of clean water to “clear the dirty water away… into a drainage point.” Now, you must check between the slabs and add a jointing compound to your shopping list if any has come loose.
Lastly, wait for the patio to dry before popping the furniture back on.
Other methods
Could white vinegar be the most versatile cleaning compound out there? Quite possibly. Found in just about any supermarket, this solution is environmentally friendly, non-toxic and is not full of chemicals. You can use white vinegar instead of the washing-up liquid from the last method.
However, Deborah says: “you shouldn’t use this method on limestone pavers as the acid will permanently damage their surface.” If your patio is not limestone-based, then you need to mix a 1:1 ratio of warm water to white vinegar. This method involves pouring the solution over the patio slabs and covering them for 30 minutes to an hour. Then, follow this up with a bucket of clean water.
No scrubbing brush technique is needed, in fact. This is a budget pressure washer solution.
Aftercare
Simply Paving recommends cleaning your patio once a year and claims that a “small amount of maintenance… year-round” is great practice. Deborah suggests regularly brushing “your patio, especially during the autumn months” as this can prevent any leaves from causing displeasing stains.
They add: “You might want to consider a patio sealant. This helps to prevent weathering and is also effective at preserving the colour of patio slabs – a good option if you have recently laid dark slabs.”
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Piper Huxley is a Homes, Garden and Wellness Product Writer for Modern Gardens Magazine, an all-rounder. When she’s not writing about houseplants, she’s tending to her own growing collection…