Sam Williams, a DIY expert at SGS Engineering , has shared the “easiest” and most “effective” ways to clean paving slabs using just “household essentials”. The expert said: “You don’t need any fancy products to clean a patio and one of the most effective cleaning hacks is just using washing up liquid and warm water. “All you have to do is drop a tablespoon of washing up liquid in a bucket of warm water to make a soapy solution, pour it over the patio and then scrub away with a hard brush.

” Gardener shares four vegetables to plant in July that require no effort Best spot in your garden to plant your hydrangeas to see massive blooms The DIY expert recommended scrubbing in a diagonal motion as this is less likely to cause any damage to the stone. If you do have any stubborn stains or black spots on your patio or driveway, white vinegar is a great option. While this should be avoided on certain paving slabs, such as limestone, the acidic content is great at removing stains.

Sam explained: “Combine the water and white vinegar in a bucket in a 1:1 ratio and pour the solution over your patio and leave it to work for 30 minutes to an hour. “Rinse away with your hosepipe. Alternatively, baking soda is another great option if you don’t have any vinegar to hand.

“This technique works particularly well on patios with BBQ fat stains. However, it will only have limited effectiveness against algae and mould.” If you have a pressure washer, this can do the job m.