You might be cleaning up your outdoor space and want to give your patio cover or pergola some love too. MOCKWOOD patio covers and pergolas are built to last and don’t need regular maintenance, but occasional cleaning can be done to keep it nice and debris-free.
We’ll give you the basic supplies and directions on how you should clean your structure.
Step 1: Gather Your Supplies
The types of cleaning supplies you will need depends on the accumulation of build-up on your structure. We’ve created a chart below to outline different treatment types.
| Build-up | Cleaning Supplies |
| Moderate Dirt |
|
| Heavy Dirt |
|
| Mold and Mildew |
|
| Caulking Compounds, Tar, etc. |
|
Grab your brush, paper towels, and/or bucket and start washing!
Step 2: Wash!
Moderate Dirt
To wash moderate dirt from your patio cover or pergola, all you need is a soft bristle brush and a hose. Start by rinsing the whole structure. After it’s wet, gently scrub leftover dirt residue with the soft bristle brush. Rinse again and let air dry.
Heavy Dirt
To clean off heavier dirt residue from your patio cover or pergola, *combine the following ingredients in a 2-gallon bucket:
- ⅓ cup of laundry detergent
- ⅔ cup trisodium phosphate (Soilax works well)
- 1 gallon of water
Once this has been combined, set aside and rinse your patio cover with the hose. Put on your gloves. Take your soft bristle brush, dip it in the bucket, and gently scrub any leftover dirt residue. For “hard to reach” spots, a toothbrush can be helpful. Once you’ve scrubbed the areas with residue, rinse again with the hose. Repeat as needed, and let your structure air dry when finished.
Mold and Mildew
To remove mold or mildew from your patio cover or pergola, *combine the following ingredients in a 2-gallon bucket:
- ⅓ cup of laundry detergent
- ⅔ cup of trisodium phosphate (Solax works well)
- 1 quart of sodium hypochlorite 5% solution (Clorox works well)
- 3 quarts of water
Once this has been *combined, set aside and rinse your patio cover with the hose. Put on your gloves. Take your soft bristle brush, dip it in the bucket, and gently scrub away mold and mildew. For “hard to reach” spots, a toothbrush can be helpful. Repeat this process as needed, and let your structure air dry when finished.
Caulking Compounds, Tar, etc.
To remove caulking compounds, tar, or other substances from your structure, you will need shop towels, rubber gloves, and mineral spirits. Open your container of mineral spirits and set it aside. Put on your rubber gloves and grab a shop towel. Fold the towel in half and dunk in the mineral spirits. Rub over the affected area on your structure. Once the spot has been dissolved, rinse with the hose and let air dry.
Step 3: Admire
Now that the hard work is done, don’t forget to admire your clean structure! Right after you clean your structure is a perfect time to add string lights or curtains.
If you are looking to purchase an aluminum patio cover or pergola, see how ShadeWorks MOCKWOOD patio covers are built to last!
* Mixing chemicals can be dangerous. Make sure to do your research beforehand and follow the label instructions on the bottles. Always keep away from children and pets. Make sure to dispose of the mixture in a safe, appropriate way. Wash your hands thoroughly after use with soap and water. Use gloves when needed.