I’m a gardening expert and this is why you should never use vinegar to clean your patio

WITH the weather heating up, many of us have been out in the garden sprucing it up.

While many love using white vinegar to clean, gardening experts have warned against using the natural cleaning product on your patio.

Some have gone so far as to using ketchup to clean their patios, and have praised how it cleans up dirt, rust and algea.

But the experts reveal the acid form the vinegar could actually damage your patio stones.

Speaking to the, digital director at, Cass Heaphy, said it causes acidic damage to natural stones and concrete paving.

He said: "Limestone, sandstone, and Portland cement concrete are all vulnerable to chemical erosion and corrosive damage from acids."

He explained any acid-based liquid like ketchup or vinegar will corrode and damage the patio, and warned people to stay away from the cleaning hack.

As well as causing corrosive damage, he said it could potentially also stain your patio stones.

So what should you use to clean your patio with instead of vinegar-based products?

Cass recommends using alkaline-based products instead, and said you don't even have to buy any special patio cleaners to do a good job.

Apparently, one of the best ways to clean your patio is with good old-fashioned washing-up liquid.

all you need is a dash of washing-up liquid, warm water, a bucket, and a hard-bristled brush.

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Splash the washing-up mixture onto your patio, starting in the corners and then scrub in diagonal strokes as it will be gentler on the jointing compound of the patio.

Repeat until the entire patio has been cleaned, and then rinse it off with clean water into a drain.

If some of the jointing does come apart, make sure to reseal it to make your patio last longer.