Day 27. Clean Your Driveway

Day 27 of “A 30 Day Guide to Spring Cleaning“.

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I see so many driveways that are cement or asphalt, in great condition, and so clean and sparkling. That is not my driveway! We live on a dirt road, with a mostly gravel driveway that just collects the fine dirt dust that settles over everything at my house! We do have a cement parking pad. This parking pad get coated in fine dirt and dust that washes it’s way down all year long. Let’s talk about how to clean your driveway, and why it’s important.

Whether your driveway is pristine, or if it could use some TLC, you will still want to clean your driveway to keep it as nice as possible. Cleaning your driveway will also help to decrease the wear and tear your driveway receives.

The best way to clean your driveway is to pressure wash it, like I had said yesterday. There is no better clean than a power wash clean for outdoor items. If you do not have a power washer, I will review some ideas for cleaning without one.

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What to clean:

• Driveway

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Supplies needed:

• Push broom (stiff bristle)
• Pressure washer
• Outdoor cleaner
• Recommended:
  • Push Broom, Gas Pressure Washer ‘paid link’, 30 Seconds Outdoor Cleaner
• Alternative:
  • Your preferred supplies and cleaner

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Driveways to Avoid Pressure Washing

I prefer pressure washing surfaces outdoors to clean them, as pressure washing provides a very nice and clean surface if done correctly. Ideally, I would pressure wash everything outside to clean it, but there are some things to take into consideration:

Would pressure washing damage the surface?

Would pressure washing disturb the materials?

Is pressure washing the right method for my surface?

These items are important to consider when determining your best route of action when cleaning your outdoor surfaces. There are a few surfaces off hand that stand out as cautionary surfaces when power washing:

• Small pavers
• Driveways with gravel or decorative sand integrated within
• Stained or painted surfaces (unless you plan to re-stain or re-paint them)
• Old mortar or brick

Once you have determined if you are able to pressure wash your surfaces, I would move forward with this suggested method of cleaning.

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Pressure Washing Your Driveway

Pressure washing is the method of cleaning that uses pressurized water to mechanically clean surfaces. If used properly, a pressure washer can provide great results for outdoor cleaning. I highly recommend using a gas pressure washer, but this may be due to my experience with gas pressure washers. Personally, I feel that they hold steady pressure better than an electric pressure washer. Additionally, use eye protection when power washing to avoid any debris from backsplash getting into your eyes.

How to Pressure Wash

1. Remove all furniture and items from the surface you will be pressure washing.
2. Prepare your pressure washer. Attach the hose to the proper spot based on the manufacturers instructions. Assure the gas and/or oil are filled properly according to your manufacturers directions.
3. Sweep the surface you will be power washing, and remove any debris from the surface.
4. Assure the attachment on your pressure washer is a “fan” attachment, and not a solid stream or torpedo attachment.
5. Start your pressure washer, and test an inconspicuous spot to assure no damage is created by the pressure of the water.
6. Begin pressure washing from the closest point to your home, and work you way to the outer edge of your driveway.
7. Be sure to follow your pressure washer’s manufacturer instructions.
8. Work in lines moving towards the edge using feathering movements back and forth to remove surface residue. Keep a consistent distance from the surface you are cleaning.
9. Make sure to keep your pressure washer end about 18″ from the surface you are cleaning to avoid damage.
10. Work with the power washer following the brush of the cement you are power washing. If you are working with a smooth surface, just follow the same pattern to assure any “cleaner” spots look symmetrical or purposeful.
11. Once you have completed power washing the surface, allow the surface to dry before walking or driving on it if possible.

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Cleaning Your Driveway with Cleaner

Outdoor cleaners can be multi surface, or specified to a material. I highly recommend this 30 Seconds Outdoor Cleaner ‘paid link’, which is for multiple surfaces. This cleaner is safe to use around pets and plants, which is a plus in my book! This type of cleaner works great for those tough algae, mold and mildew stains. Be prepared to use a lot of cleaner if you have a heavily soiled surface. Always follow your chemical manufacturers directions when using chemicals and mix or use accordingly. Additionally, you may want eye protection or rubber cleaning gloves.

How to Clean with Outdoor Cleaner

1. Read instructions and safety precautions for your chemical.
2. Remove all furniture and items from the surface you will be cleaning.
3. Prepare your cleaning items, getting together your cleaner, sprayer if needed (follow proper instructions for your sprayer), mixing according to instructions, stiff bristle brush and any safety items needed. My recommended cleaner is a 1 part cleaner to 1 part water mix.
4. Sweep the area you will be cleaning. Additionally, I rinsed my deck off with a hose and allowed it to dry.
5. Follow the cleaner instructions for application. My recommended cleaner states to saturate the dried surface keeping it wet for 3 – 10 minutes depending on materials.
   • 3 minutes: painted surfaces, metal, plastics
   • 5 minutes: wood (stain can become blotchy and will need re-treated)
   • 10 minutes: concrete, masonry
6. Use a push broom after allowing this to sit for the recommended time. Brush the surface working with the grain or pre-set brush strokes.
7. Rinse the surface thoroughly with a hose.

You will really need to saturate the surface with this cleaner, and it will use a lot more than you expect, but the results are great if you aren’t able to pressure wash your surface! This is the easiest way to clean your driveway without having a pressure washer.

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If you have any questions, feel free to post them in the comments and I would be happy to get back with you.

Check out Day 26. Clean Deck and/or Patio here.

Check out Day 28. Clean Outdoor Furniture here.

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