There’s nothing better than a BBQ in the summer, but cleaning the outdoor cooker afterwards is such a chore.
From scraping the grill to getting stains off the patio, it’s so time-consuming – but this hack will make the process so much easier.
Trick to remove BBQ stains from your patio
Georgina Read, Director at Paving Superstore, has shared her expert tip for removing grease and oil from your concrete. All you need is two ingredients, washing-up liquid and baking soda, and the stains will be gone in minutes.
Here’s what to do:
- Start by scraping off any excess grease with a scraper, but be careful not to scratch the surface of your patio.
- Apply washing-up liquid directly to the stain and scrub it gently with a brush or cloth.
- If the stain is still there, sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda onto it to help lift the grease from the surface.
- Use a stiff-bristled brush to scrub the patio in a circular motion and work the baking soda and washing up liquid into the stain.
- Rinse the area thoroughly with clean water and repeat the process again if necessary.
More cleaning tips for BBQ patio stains
For the best results, you should clean up the stain as quickly as possible. Don’t leave it there for days or weeks!
“If you spill something on your patio, the key is to act quickly and clean it before it has a chance to set in,” the expert said.
Don’t use acid-based cleaners like bleach, lemon juice and white wine vinegar on patio stones as this can damage the slabs. This is especially true for black limestone, coloured concrete and some natural stone, which are subject to bleaching and damage.
You can use a jet washer, but it’s better to target the stain directly to avoid damaging the paving with the force of the power wash.
The most stain-resistant patio stone option
If you are re-doing your backyard, the expert recommends choosing porcelain for your patio as that’s the most stain-resistant. It’s less porous than many other stones, meaning stains are less likely to soak in, and also more resistant to mould and mildew.
Other natural stones and concrete paving can be sealed with a specialist impregnator sealer to protect them from stains. The sealant penetrates into the stone, filling the tiny capillaries and preventing stains from soaking in.
