Vases - Over time, a cloudy layer of scale builds up on flower vases. To get rid of it, fill with water, add some Cif Cream and leave for an hour or two. Yes, but they will require a decent application of elbow grease. You can spray the entire surface with water using a garden hose, then dissolve 75ml of washing soda in a gallon of hot water and scrub with a brush soaked in the solution, re-dipping as required. Alternatively, you can sprinkle powdered dishwashing detergent over the entire surface and scrub. The key thing is to follow the instructions, as different cleaners will work in different ways. Some work better if applied to a wet or dry surface, and may need rinsing off a few hours after application. Others use a ‘wet and forget’ approach, where you just apply the cleaner then leave it on to do its work. Are there different types of patio cleaner for different problems? Garden Pots – Keep your garden pots looking their charming selves with some Cif Cream, a damp cloth and a little bit of wiping.

All is not lost. And don’t think you will be spending a day scrubbing, down on your hands and knees, as there’s a wide range of patio cleaners out there to make the job easy. These detergents and specialist fluids are designed to cut through the grime to make your patio look as good as new. For the ultimate finish, complete the job with Nilfisk’s Stone Sealer to prevent further re-occurrence. We tried the products with a Nilfisk 140 Dynamic Pressure Washer/Patio Cleaner, a seriously good precision-control patio cleaner with a long hose and all the accessories you need – plus, it’s quiet.

Away with the algae and goodbye to grime. Here’s how to keep your patio looking fresh – and the best patio cleaners to use

There are lots of ways to clean a patio and the one you choose will depend on how big your outdoor space is — and how hands-on you are prepared to be. Patio cleaners have different levels of involvement, some you can pour over and leave to act (these are the easiest kind for sure). Others need to be used with a pressure washer or sometimes a scrub with a broom for the best results. You do need a little patience with this one. While the effect varies, you might find that, for the first day or two, nothing much seems to have changed. However, as time goes on, all that slippery algae and stubborn mould will disappear, and the longer you leave it, the better it gets. And while it seems expensive for what it is, this one bottle of concentrate makes 30 litres of spray, so you won’t need any more for a while unless you’ve got vast, palatial gardens. It’s the most effective of the spray-and-go cleaners. Cupboard doors – For those unsightly smears or marks on your cupboard doors, grab a damp cloth with some Cif Cream on, and wipe away.

Windows & PVC – Dirt loves these surfaces. To make it disappear, use a cloth or sponge coupled with some water and Cif Cream, wipe, and voila. Some patio cleaners are not just for stone but can also be used to clean your patio furniture, be it wood, plastic, or metal. For wood, you will want something that kills algae which is very prone to settling on damp wood. Metals will need to be treated with a non-corrosive liquid. It's handy to buy an all-in-one solution as if it needs diluting — or if you have a smaller outdoor space — you might not be able to use it all and storage of a bottle of this size might be a big no. Sports equipment - Cif Cream can clean anything from tennis racquets to golf balls. Just rub and rinse. Garden furniture - If your patio set is PVC, you can clean it easily with some Cif Cream on a sponge. Then let the rain rinse it for you – or use the garden hose.Shower door – Water marks and limescale are your shower door’s two worst enemies, but you can make them disappear with just a bit of Cif Cream on a damp cloth and a bit of wiping. Shoes/Trainers - Been out in the mud? Some Cif Cream on a cotton cloth will have your trainers and wellies looking boxfresh again in no time. Hobs and hotplates - Easily remove splashes, grease stains and even burnt-on food from gas and electric cookers. With a growing number of people moving to live in cities across the world, Cif has aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goal 11 – Sustainable Cities & Communities, encouraging local communities to make use of their public communal areas & beautifying public spaces that have fallen into urban decay.

Radiators - Keep your heaters neat by cleaning with Cif Cream every so often. It’ll get off scuff marks, mystery stains and light rust. Wall Marks – Parts of your wall not looking as spotless as they used to? It’s nothing a little Cif Cream partnered with a damp cloth and some wiping can’t remedy. BBQ - When the weather’s good, you don’t want to spend ages cleaning the barbecue before using it. So just soak a small brush in Cif Cream, scrub off the grease stains and food bits, then rinse. Once the barbecue’s dry, you can put it away ready for next time. You'll want to work out the amount of solution that comes in the bottle and compare it with the price to see if you're getting good value. In some cases, where you needn't dilute the solution, you might need to buy more than one bottle. Solutions you need to dilute will obviously be able to cover more space than those you pour on straight. Why do I need a patio cleaner?Not usually. You will often have to wait a few hours before seeing any difference, and in many cases the effects will seem small at first, but the area will look much cleaner after a few days. Patience is key. Is there a way to clean my patio without buying patio cleaning substances? The beauty of our world should never be overlooked, which is why part of Cif’s purpose is to restore the beauty of the homes & neighbourhoods that we live in. By doing so, it has a positive effect on the well-being of the people we serve, making them feel more positive, more trusting in their surroundings & more engaged with their communities. Stained Mugs - Over time, the tannins in tea can turn the inside of your teapot brown. Cif Cream on a damp sponge is all you need to get it looking new again.