What equipment do you need to clean a driveway?

It’s important to know what equipment you need to clean your driveway—not only to get the job done right, but to avoid turning the concrete into a muddy mess. In this guide, we’ll break down what tools we use on a jobsite, when to use them, and what to avoid if you value your surface and your weekend.

If you’ve ever aimed a garden hose at your driveway and thought, “She’ll be right,” we hate to break it to you — but driveway stains don’t budge that easily. Whether it’s baked-on dirt from the dry, oil stains from your leaky ute, or green gunk that’s been breeding since last winter, cleaning your driveway properly takes more than a bit of elbow grease and good intentions.

Pressure Washer vs Garden Hose

Pressure Washer (Absolute Must-Have)

If you don’t own one, borrow or hire one. A pressure washer is non-negotiable for tough stains. You’ll want:

Minimum 2,000 PSI for light-duty
3,000+ PSI for stubborn stains or deeper cleanings
GPM (gallons per minute) of at least 8–11
Petrol/gasoline-powered pressure washers for large outdoor surfaces, electric for occasional cleaning

Pair this with the right spray nozzle (like a 25-degree or 40-degree nozzle), and you’ll get that steady stream and strong cleaning capacity without wrecking your slab.

Garden Hose (Don’t Bother)

Only good for rinsing dust off a smooth finish. It won’t lift grease stains, tyre marks, or algae stains. Forget DIY pressure washing without the pressure.

The Right Chemicals

What Works:

Concrete cleaner or degreaser — for oil with cat litter treatment or fresh oil stains
Laundry detergent or liquid detergent — eco-safe and ideal for basic cleaning
Biodegradable and eco-friendly detergents — low environmental impact, good for nearby plants
White vinegar — great on mould & mildew, beverage stains, and algae stains
Kitty litter — soaks up and absorbs moisture from fresh spills

What to Avoid:

Acid-based cleaners or acidic cleaning products — risky on absorbent surfaces, can leave chemical residue
Chlorine bleach — discolours, leaves streaks, kills your garden
Caustic soda — strong but nasty to handle without safety gear

Surface Cleaner: The Efficiency Upgrade

Use a surface cleaner attachment — think of it as a flying saucer that spins under pressure. It’s safer than a careless jet wash and delivers a consistent cleaning outcome.

Why we rate it:

Cleans evenly with no risk of streaking
Speeds up big cleaning projects
Less backspray = less dirty water on you

Match it with the right pressure cleaning tools like a pressure washer wand and brush attachment.

Brushes, Brooms & Old-Fashioned Elbow Grease

Handy Tools

Nylon-bristled scrub brush or stiff brush — won’t scratch matte finishes
Nylon bristle broom — for sweeping loose dirt and surface dirt
Paint brush — helpful for stain treatment in cracks

Avoid wire brushes. They gouge surfaces and can cause future staining.

Nozzles, Extensions & Accessories

The right nozzle size affects water pressure, flow, and precision:

0-degree nozzle – ultra-narrow jet (avoid unless you want damage)
15-degree nozzle – for stronger solutions on concrete stains
25-degree nozzle – good balance for the general driveway surface
40-degree nozzle – safe for basic sweeping and regular cleaning
65 or 45-degree nozzle – best for detergents
Detergent injector – helps apply suitable detergent evenly

Water Supply Setup

If your flow of water can’t keep up with your pressure washer’s demands, expect pressure drops. Tips:

Use a buffer water tank if the mains pressure is weak
Check the gallons per minute rating
Connect a bottle with water to flush detergent or clean water for rinsing
Protect stormwater drains with plastic sheets during chemical cleaner use

Stay Safe with Proper Gear

Never pressure wash barefoot — you’ll end up like a sausage on Bunnings day. Must-haves:

Safety glasses and gloves
Protective gear — boots with grip, especially on wet outdoor surfaces
Respirator in well-ventilated areas for chemical cleaning
Ear protection for loud power washing

Surface Type Cheat Sheet

Type of Driveway	Gear & Method
Concrete	Use high PSI, degreaser, and finish with concrete sealer
Stamped concrete	Gentle cycle, avoid acid-based cleaners
Exposed aggregate	Low PSI + wide nozzle, protect grout
Asphalt driveway	No high pressure, use asphalt-approved filler material
Brick surfaces	Soft wash, avoid blasting out joints

Frequency & Weather Matters

How often you clean depends on:

Weather damage from the wet or harsh sun
Absorbent materials that trap grime
Your goal: Proper maintenance or just the odd boost of curb appeal

Suggested Timelines:

Regular sweeping: Weekly
Basic maintenance steps: Every 3–6 months
Annual pressure washing: Once or twice a year, ideally before selling or sealing

Council Rules

Local councils hate it when chemical cleaning runs into drains. So:

Use plastic sheets and drainage guards
Divert water runoff away from gardens and stormwater
Use biodegradability for plants as your chemical benchmark

DIY vs Pro: When to Call In Help

You can handle basic cleaning, but for:

Deep cleaning from weather damage
Treating mould & mildew spores
Removing future stains from stubborn stains
Working with delicate types of driveways

…call a professional driveway cleaning service. Cleaning by professionals ensures no potential damage, better tools, and a safer cleaning outcome.

We’ve worked with enough driveways to know what works and what doesn’t — the same goes for our mates at Window Cleaning Melbourne Crew. In Melbourne, they’ve seen firsthand how outdoor grime loves to hang on, especially after a wet winter or a dusty dry spell.