As summer winds down and Britons prepare their gardens for late-season barbecues and bank holiday gatherings, many will be looking to spruce up their patios. But experts are warning that a number of seemingly harmless household staples could actually wreak havoc on outdoor surfaces, and even harm surrounding plants and wildlife.
According to patio maintenance specialist Alex Essex, the temptation to raid the kitchen cupboard for quick-fix cleaning solutions could be a costly mistake. “Many people assume that if something is natural or commonly used indoors, it’s safe to use outside,” he said. “But the truth is that some of these everyday items can cause long-term damage to patios and gardens.”
One of the worst offenders, Essex explained, is white vinegar. While often hailed as an eco-friendly cleaning miracle indoors, its acidic nature makes it highly corrosive on natural stone.
Used on patios, vinegar can dull finishes, etch surfaces, weaken structural stability, and even kill off nearby plants. Lemon juice, which also contains high levels of citric acid, poses similar risks, particularly to limestone and sandstone surfaces.
Even more surprising is Coca-Cola, which combines acidity with sugar. Rather than providing a sparkling finish, it can leave behind sticky residues that attract ants, wasps, and other pests.
Meanwhile, butter and cooking oil, sometimes suggested as DIY remedies for stains, can create dangerous slippery films. Not only do they pose a risk of falls, but in hot weather, they can turn rancid, giving off unpleasant odours and drawing flies.
Other household items, including salt, caustic soda, and non-bio washing powder, can also prove destructive. Salt corrodes grout, poisons soil, and leaves unsightly white residues.
Caustic soda, often used to unclog drains, strips away protective sealants, corrodes metal fittings, and kills off garden plants. Non-bio washing powders, Essex warned, leave behind slippery residues that become treacherous in wet weather.
Instead of taking shortcuts, Essex recommends investing in purpose-made patio cleaners or biodegradable alternatives designed for outdoor use. For particularly stubborn stains, professional cleaning services may be the safer long-term option.
“It might seem smart to save a few pounds using cupboard staples,” he told GB News, “but it can end up causing more harm than good. A small investment in the right products can protect your garden in the long run.”
