Spring is the ideal time to prepare your patio for the warmer months ahead. After dirt and organic debris have accumulated throughout the year and during the winter, it is important to not only clean your patio but also to take care of it. Here you will learn how to effectively clean and maintain your patio.
Step 1: Leaves and coarse dirt
First, the terrace should be cleared of the last autumn leaves and other coarse dirt with a broom. To do this, it is best to put garden furniture, mobile planters and pots and the grill to one side.
Step 2: Remove biofilm and discoloration
Terraces often become slippery and slippery in autumn and winter. The so-called biofilm is formed from dirt, algae and moss, which can easily form on wood when it is damp. The biofilm can be easily removed: Oxalic acid dissolved in water is particularly suitable for this. The biofilm is removed by applying it, allowing it to take effect and scrubbing it off with clean water. Oxalic acid can also easily remove discoloration caused by tannin oxidation. Oxalic acid also helps to remove the natural greying (patina) of the wood.
Step 3: Care for wooden terraces with patina
If you want to preserve the natural patina of your wood, we recommend using an ecological soap, such as green soap or soft soap, to clean it with a root brush. This will clean the surface without removing the patina.
Step 4: Rinse thoroughly
After cleaning, it is important to rinse the terrace thoroughly with water to remove all cleaning agent residue.
Step 5: Applying patio oil
After cleaning, a treatment with decking oil to protect and care for the wood. Terrace oil helps to preserve or restore the natural colour and structure of the wood (after cleaning with oxalic acid) and offers additional protection against the elements.
Additional protection: UV protection for color retention
To ensure that the wood retains its color, UV protection is recommended. This step is particularly important if you want to retain the original color of the wood. UV protection prevents the wood from fading and weathering due to exposure to sunlight and is contained in pigmented decking oils. Betterwood offers the light and dark decking oil from Biomaderas.
Further care tips
- Regular inspection: Check your deck regularly for damage or loose boards.
- Protection against moisture: Ensure good drainage and ventilation under the terrace to avoid waterlogging.
- Regular care: Annual cleaning and, if necessary, treatment with patio oil will help protect your patio and keep it beautiful in the long term.
Long-lasting terraces through care before the start of the season
Maintaining your patio in spring is a crucial step to ensure that your outdoor area not only looks good but also lasts for a long time. Removing biofilm and discoloration with oxalic acid, maintaining the wood patina, rinsing thoroughly and applying patio oil are all important measures to maintain the beauty and functionality of your patio. If you want to preserve the wood color, using a pigmented patio oil with UV protection offers the possibility of preserving the color and structure of the wood for longer.