Best Time of Year to Jet Wash a Driveway or Patio
The best time to jet wash a driveway or patio in the UK is between March and May. Spring cleaning removes winter moss and algae buildup before summer, and mild temperatures help cleaning solutions work effectively. Autumn (September–October) is the second-best window — clearing grime before winter prevents frost damage to organic growth trapped in surface pores.
Spring (March–May) — Best Overall
Spring is the ideal window. Winter is when moss and algae growth peaks, so a spring clean clears that buildup right before you start using your garden and driveway more. Mild, drier weather also gives cleaning treatments time to work properly.
Autumn (September–October) — Second Best
An autumn clean clears summer grime and prevents organic growth trapped in surface pores from causing frost damage over winter. It's a good second window if you missed spring, or for properties that need cleaning twice a year.
Summer
Possible, but not ideal — surfaces can get too hot for cleaning chemicals to dwell properly, and you lose valuable garden-use time while the job is done.
Winter — Best Avoided
Freezing temperatures and wet conditions make cleaning solutions less effective, and a freshly cleaned surface can become a slip hazard if temperatures drop sharply. We generally recommend avoiding winter unless there's a specific reason to clean (e.g. before selling a property).
Before Selling a House
If you're cleaning your driveway or patio to boost kerb appeal before a sale, timing matters less than getting it done — a clean exterior makes a strong first impression any time of year.
How Weather Affects Results
Whatever the season, biocide and moss treatments need a dry period afterwards to work properly. We'll always factor the forecast into when we schedule your clean.
See our driveway cleaning and patio cleaning service pages for full details on our process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Spring (March–May), to clear winter moss and algae before you start using the garden. Autumn (September–October) is the second-best window.
April is often ideal — mild temperatures help cleaning treatments work effectively, and it's before peak garden use season.
It's best avoided. Freezing temperatures and wet conditions make cleaning solutions less effective and create slip hazards during the work.
Written by the First Choice Jet Wash team, who schedule cleans across NW London year-round.