Daily care versus deep cleaning
Staff can handle the daily work: sweeping, wiping tables, mopping spills and emptying trash. What daily care cannot do is remove the film that builds up underneath. Grease from food and cooking, spilled drinks, sunscreen and tracked-in dirt slowly darken the floor, especially around the busiest tables and near the kitchen door.
A periodic deep cleaning resets that floor. The surface is degreased, the gum is removed, and the grime around table bases and in the joints comes out. For most restaurants, the right frequency depends on how busy the patio is and how much food is served outside.
Getting grease and food spills out
Grease is the main problem. Cold water alone smears it around. The right approach is a commercial degreaser applied to the floor, especially around tables and service paths, and given time to dwell. The floor is then washed with hot water, using a rotary surface cleaner on flat concrete for an even finish.
Red wine, sauce and coffee spills usually come up well if they are recent. Old dark spots from oil that has soaked into concrete will often lighten rather than vanish. A patio sealer applied after cleaning can make future spills easier to clean, though it needs reapplication over time.
Gum and the edges
Outdoor dining collects gum under tables and along the edges. Hot water softens it so it can be lifted spot by spot. Fresh gum comes up cleanly. Older gum can leave a faint mark, and it is worth knowing that up front.
Edges and corners hold trapped food debris, napkins and leaves. Planters along the patio drop soil when watered and during the rainy season, roughly November to March. These areas are cleaned by hand before the main wash so the surface cleaner is not pushing debris around.
Furniture, umbrellas and barriers
Tables and chairs should be moved off the patio, or at least to one side, so the floor underneath can be cleaned. Metal and resin furniture can be washed at moderate pressure with a mild solution. Wood furniture needs low pressure to avoid raising the grain. Umbrella fabric should only be soft washed.
Railings, planters and dining barriers along the sidewalk collect splashes and fingerprints. They are soft washed and rinsed. Heaters, lighting and any electrical fixtures are kept dry and worked around.
It is also a good time to check furniture glides and feet. Rusty metal glides can leave orange rings on concrete, and once the floor is clean those rings stand out more than before. Replacing worn glides or putting pads under them keeps the clean floor looking clean. If a rust ring already exists, it is a separate stain that needs a rust-specific treatment rather than more pressure, and our guide on rust stains on concrete explains the options.
Different surfaces need different care
Plain concrete patios can take a surface cleaner and hot water. Stamped or colored concrete needs a softer approach so the color and sealer are not stripped. Pavers need care at the joints, and lost sand may need to be replaced after cleaning. Saltillo or terracotta tile is porous and soft, so it is cleaned at low pressure.
If you are unsure of the surface or whether it has been sealed, mention it when you request a quote. The method and timing are adjusted accordingly.
Scheduling and pricing
Patios are cleaned when the restaurant is closed, often early morning before lunch service or late at night after closing. In summer, concrete dries quickly, so the patio can be ready for service the same day. Wash water should be contained rather than sent into the street, since Los Angeles Municipal Code section 64.70.02 prohibits discharging untreated wash water from paved-surface washing into the storm drain system unless a permit allows it.
As of October 2026, our calculator lists patio cleaning at $0.65 per square foot and dumpster pads at $85 each, with a $195 visit minimum. Pairing the patio with the dumpster pad or storefront earns a 5% bundle discount for two services and 10% for three or more. At Say Wash It we confirm a flat price first and walk the patio with you at the end, and the instant quote on this page gives you a quick starting point.
Key points
Daily care versus deep cleaning
Staff can handle the daily work: sweeping, wiping tables, mopping spills and emptying trash. What daily care cannot do is remove the film that builds up underneath. Grease from food and cooking, spilled drinks, sunscreen and tracked-in dirt slowly darken the floor, especially around the busiest tables and near the kitchen door.
Getting grease and food spills out
Grease is the main problem. Cold water alone smears it around. The right approach is a commercial degreaser applied to the floor, especially around tables and service paths, and given time to dwell. The floor is then washed with hot water, using a rotary surface cleaner on flat concrete for an even finish.