Sweeping is clearly the first step to better pavement health before undertaking a roving assessment of stains. These need to be identified correctly to ensure the right treatment, or else they can end up being even harder to remove.
One of the most common ailments affecting clay and concrete pavers is efflorescence, a powdery white or yellow deposit of salts that can appear on the surface of pavers after rain. This is best and easily removed by brushing with a stiff broom then hosing, and will eventually disappear through natural weathering.
If you're in the market for a broom, try the Vileda SuperBroom outdoor broom, which has strong synthetic fibres that can be used on dry or wet surfaces and an inclined handle for easier sweeping.
Other stains best attacked while dry are moss, mould, leaves and lichen.
These are common in shady or damp areas and while won't damage the pavers in any way, will cause them to become slippery. If vigorous brushing doesn't work, mix 10 parts water to 1 part white vinegar and soak for 10 minutes. Gently hose the area before the solution dries.
For red wine and food stains, use a neutral or organic cleaner diluted with water for easy removal and rinse well. This will also eliminate the most resistant of dirt and grime.
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