Restaurants, pubs and takeaways face a specific set of exterior cleaning problems that most other commercial premises do not: grease extraction staining on external walls, chewing gum trodden into entrance paving, and smoking areas that accumulate grime, cigarette residue and general litter far faster than the rest of the building.
This guide covers how these specific problems are tackled, how often exterior cleaning should be scheduled for food and drink venues, and what it typically costs.
Grease and Extraction Staining
Kitchen extraction systems often vent externally, and over time the grease-laden air deposits a sticky film on nearby brickwork, render or cladding that ordinary rainfall does not shift. This staining attracts more general grime on top, and left long enough it can darken a wall permanently if not treated with a proper degreasing wash.
A soft wash approach with a degreasing cleaning solution, applied and left to work before a controlled rinse, is generally the most effective way to lift this kind of buildup without damaging the wall surface underneath. On older brick or render this is worth addressing sooner rather than later, since grease residue can work its way into porous surfaces and become noticeably harder to shift the longer it is left.
Entrance Areas, Gum and Footfall Grime
Entrance paving outside restaurants and pubs takes heavy footfall and collects chewing gum, spilled drinks and general grime faster than almost any other commercial surface. Gum in particular needs a hot water or steam treatment to lift cleanly, since pressure alone often just flattens it further into the surface.
A clean, gum-free entrance matters more for hospitality than most sectors, since customers form an impression of hygiene standards from the state of the doorway before they have even been seated.
Smoking Areas and Outdoor Seating
Designated smoking areas and outdoor seating zones accumulate cigarette residue, staining on walls and floors, and general litter that standard cleaning staff often cannot fully address without pressure washing equipment. A scheduled washdown of these areas keeps them presentable for customers who use outdoor seating, particularly important during warmer months when outdoor covers add real capacity.
Wooden decking and furniture in these areas can also develop algae and grime that makes surfaces slippery, so a periodic clean is as much a safety matter as an appearance one. Given how much time customers now spend in outdoor seating areas, particularly in the warmer months, this space often gets more direct customer scrutiny than the interior does during a typical visit.
Typical Costs
For a single pub or restaurant, a full exterior clean covering walls, entrance and outdoor seating might run from around £200 to £600 depending on scale, with grease staining or gum-heavy entrances sometimes needing a bit more time and cost to fully lift.
Many venues settle into a quarterly or twice-yearly schedule, sometimes stepped up before peak season when outdoor seating gets heavy use, which keeps costs predictable and the venue consistently presentable.
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