How to Keep Your Resin Bound Driveway Looking Its Best

A looks sharp on day one and keeps its colour and texture when you follow a short weekly routine. A resin driveway is permeable and SuDS‑friendly, so rain passes through the structure, which helps the surface stay clean. You do not need expensive equipment to keep it that way. What matters is steady habits, safe water pressure and a calm approach to stains, moss and winter weather. Protect colour, preserve permeability and keep the surface comfortable underfoot and under tyres.

On site we keep it simple: coco brush for dry debris, cold‑water fan jet for rinsing, softwash for stubborn patches. The right settings protect the surface, preserve kerb appeal and keep the pores open.

How often should I clean a resin bound driveway?

A weekly sweep and a monthly cold‑water rinse keep pores clear and protect the binder.

That routine lifts grit and leaf debris that cause tannin stains, slows water from pooling, and reduces the conditions that allow moss and algae to take hold in shaded corners. These habits keep your looking good and extend the time between professional cleans. After storms or heavy leaf fall, a same‑day sweep and quick cold rinse save time later.

Weekly sweep: Use a soft yard broom or coco brush to remove leaves, grit and soil. Sweep from the garage towards the road so debris does not track back. Empty channel drains and gully baskets at the same time.

Monthly rinse: Hose down with cold water or use a low‑pressure wash to lift dust and light marks. Keep the water moving so fines and dirt leave the surface rather than settle in one spot.

Fresh spills: Blot oil or food immediately with paper towels or an absorbent granule. Wash with a mild detergent and cold water, then rinse thoroughly. Quick action prevents stains from migrating deeper into the pores. If pets or prams track mud onto the drive, give it a quick cold rinse that evening so silt does not clog the pores.

Want a quick professional once‑over? We can set safe cleaning settings for your drive and leave you a written plan. Get a maintenance quote.

Can I pressure wash a resin bound driveway?

Yes. Use ≤150 bar, cold water, a 25° fan nozzle, ≥200 mm standoff and keep the lance moving.

Set the machine to 150 bar (about 2,200 psi), fit a 25° fan nozzle, keep at least 200 mm off the surface and work in overlapping passes. Work a one‑metre strip at a time so you can see where you have been and keep overlaps even. Test a corner and check colour and texture once dry.

Common mistakes include pencil jets that scar the surface, hot water that softens the binder and standing too close with the lance. On summer call‑outs we often see zebra striping from slow, close passes with turbo nozzles. A cold rinse with a 25° fan at the right distance evens the finish without lifting stone. Keep to a moving fan jet and cold water.

What removes moss and algae from a resin bound driveway?

Use a dilute, resin‑safe softwash on a pre‑wetted surface, brush lightly, then rinse clear to remove growth without harming the binder.

Treat growth early. Shade and standing debris create moisture and nutrients bio‑growth needs. Tackle small patches as soon as you see them.

1. Pre‑wet the area with clean water.
2. Apply a dilute outdoor cleaner or softwash product that suits resin bound surfaces. Follow the label, protect planting and keep run‑off away from ponds.
3. Agitate gently with a soft brush to lift the film.
4. Rinse well with cold water and allow to dry.

Cover pond surfaces with a tarp while you work. Pre‑wet surrounding plants and rinse them again after you finish. Rinse the driveway until the run‑off turns clear and check a second time after the surface dries.

If growth returns quickly, increase sweeping, improve airflow if you can and check drainage points. In stubborn cases a professional clean with the right chemistry restores the finish without harming the binder.

How do I handle common stains?

Oil or grease: Soak up residue, then use a mild degreaser. Rinse thoroughly. Avoid solvent soaking because strong solvents can attack the binder. If a light shadow remains, repeat the clean the next day.

Rust: Try a resin‑safe rust remover on a small test patch first. Keep contact time short, work lightly and rinse until no fizz remains.

Drinks, berries or leaf tannins: Wash with a gentle detergent. If marks remain, repeat with a dilute softwash and rinse.

Paint: Lift while wet with cloths and a small amount of mild detergent. Avoid strong paint strippers and avoid scraping with metal tools. Dried paint often needs a professional clean to avoid scuffing the aggregate.

Never mix cleaners. If a mark does not fade after a second gentle pass, stop and ask for advice. Stronger products can dull the finish. Always rinse between products and test a small patch first.

What seasonal care does a resin bound driveway need?

Spring: rinse and check for moss; Summer: clear scuffs and rotate parking; Autumn: sweep leaves fast; Winter: de‑ice carefully and use plastic shovels.

Seasonal care keeps your resin driveway permeable and tidy.

Spring

Use the first warm spell to reset the surface after winter. Rinse away dust and pollen with cold water, then spot‑treat any moss that crept in during the darker months. Check gullies and channel drains for silt so water keeps moving through the surface. Check for winter de‑icing residue at thresholds and sweep it away. Walk the borders and lift any soil that has migrated from beds onto the edge of the drive.

Summer

In hot weather, traffic, sunscreen, barbecue oils and tree sap can mark the surface. Rinse scuffs and spills promptly and let the surface cool between washes. Rotate parking positions from time to time so tyres do not polish the same spots. If tyres leave slight burnishing, a cold rinse and soft brush usually clears it. If you keep planters on the drive, sit them on small feet so water can escape, and rings don’t form.

Autumn

Leaves drop fast and tannins stain quickly. Sweep little and often, especially after windy days, and empty any traps or gullies before heavy rain. Cut back low branches that shed directly onto the drive. A quick rinse after each sweep keeps pores clear and reduces the chance of algae setting in for winter. Try to sweep before dusk on wet, windy days because leaves stain faster overnight. If you see tea‑coloured run‑off, rinse again and re‑sweep the same day.

Winter

When temperatures dip, use white rock salt sparingly for ice and avoid brown grit that can stain. Clear snow with a plastic shovel and brush slush away rather than chipping at ice with metal tools. During thaws, rinse residues and check that run‑off routes stay open so meltwater does not refreeze at thresholds. If frost is forecast, lay a little white rock salt before dawn to prevent the first glaze.

What de‑icer is safe for a resin bound driveway?

Use white rock salt sparingly and sweep residues after a thaw. Avoid brown grit that can stain.

What should I avoid on a resin bound driveway?

Keep pressure at or under 150 bar because higher force can lift aggregate. Use a moving fan jet, not a pencil or turbo jet, to avoid cutting grooves. Use cold water and avoid pouring boiling water on the surface. Avoid strong acids, strong alkalis and solvent soaks. Do not scatter kiln‑dried sand or soil, because fines can block the pores. Do not leave piles of leaves or grass to sit and stain.

Should I seal a resin bound driveway?

Avoid topical sealers that block pores or soften the binder. If a sealer is proposed, ensure it stays permeable and that the manufacturer approves it for resin bound surfaces.

Troubleshooting: when to call a professional

Call a specialist if you notice any of the following:

• Sinking or movement in localised areas. This can point to base issues and needs inspection.
• Rattling or loose aggregate when you brush. That can indicate damage from incorrect washing or local wear.
• Widespread bio‑growth that returns quickly after treatment. A pro can apply controlled chemistry and rinse at the right pressure.
• Persistent oil stains that bleed back after cleaning. Specialist degreasers and careful extraction protect the binder and lift the mark.

A professional clean uses the right pressure, chemistry and technique to restore the look without harming permeability. Loose stone near turning circles usually points to aggressive washing or tight steering on hot days; we can assess and advise on repairs.

Seasonal checklist you can print

• Sweep weekly.
• Rinse monthly with cold water.
• Treat small growth early.
• Clear leaves in autumn.
• Use white rock salt in winter and sweep residues after a thaw.
• Review drainage after heavy weather.

Need help with a specific issue?

We can visit, check drainage and pore condition, set safe cleaning settings for your and give you a written care plan. Prefer to start online? Send photos and a short note and we will advise the next step. We’ll leave you with written settings and a simple weekly plan that protects permeability and takes minutes each week. Book a maintenance check or .

If you want to undertake an annual deep clean, the company that we recommend for professional cleaning of your resin bound driveway is Kamox | Resin Driveway Cleaning & Repair Specialists