Gator Clean Shampoo is Alliance's concentrated cleaner for the ground in dirt that a hose alone will not lift from concrete pavers, wetcast and natural stone. Alliance's data sheet says it restores pavers to their natural color, contains no muriatic or hydrochloric acid, washes off with water, and will not negatively affect polymeric sand joints or surrounding plants.
The results depend on using it the way Alliance specifies: the right dilution, a wet surface from start to finish, hard scrubbing and a thorough rinse. This guide walks through each step with the figures from the Gator Clean Shampoo technical data sheet (updated May 8, 2025), and shows which Alliance cleaner to use when shampoo is not the right tool.
Quick answer
- Mix 1 part Gator Clean Shampoo with 4 parts water. Alliance warns that any stronger concentration can discolor pavers.
- 1 gallon of concentrate plus 4 gallons of water cleans approximately 375 sq ft. A 5 gallon pail plus 20 gallons of water cleans approximately 1,900 sq ft.
- Wet the pavers first, apply, scrub hard, rinse, and work in 75 sq ft sections. Never let it dry on the surface or apply it in hot sun.
- It is not an efflorescence cleaner. For white mineral deposits and preseal cleaning, Alliance uses Gator Efflorescence Cleaner.
What Gator Clean Shampoo does
Alliance Gator Clean Shampoo is made for concrete pavers, patio slabs, walls, wetcast and natural stone on patios, terraces, sidewalks and similar areas. According to the data sheet, it:
- Removes dirt that has penetrated the paving units
- Restores pavers to their natural color
- Contains no muriatic acid and no hydrochloric acid
- Washes off with water
- Will not affect grass, flowers or plantings, or negatively affect polymeric sand joints
Alliance also names Gator Shampoo in the maintenance section of its polymeric sand and Nitro data sheets: clean the entire paved surface including the joints with Gator Shampoo, then wash, rinse and remove residue with a hose and watering gun set to shower at normal building water pressure (typically 80 psi).
When to use Gator Clean Shampoo and when to use something else
Shampoo is a general cleaner. Alliance makes separate products for specific stains:
| Problem | Alliance product | Key facts from the data sheet or catalog |
|---|---|---|
| Ground in dirt, dull color, routine cleaning | Gator Shampoo | 1 to 4 mix, about 375 sq ft per gallon of concentrate |
| White efflorescence, preseal cleaning | Gator Efflorescence Cleaner | 1 to 4 mix, about 40 sq ft per diluted gallon, not on pavers under 60 days old |
| Heavy efflorescence and cement slurry | Gator Efflorescence and Slurry Remover | 1 to 8 mix, test for etching first |
| Motor oil, cooking oil and grease | Gator XP Oil and Grease Remover | Spread on the stain, let dry to powder, sweep up |
| Rust spots from steel, water or fertilizer | Gator Rust Remover | Contains no muriatic acid |
| Old or unknown sealer | Gator Sealer Stripper | Removes water based and solvent based acrylic sealers |
You can compare other brands' products in our paver and stone cleaners collection.
How to mix Gator Clean Shampoo
Alliance gives one ideal mixture: 4 parts water to 1 part shampoo concentrate. Do not make it stronger for tough dirt. The data sheet warns that any concentration greater than this can discolor the pavers. For heavily soiled areas, Alliance's answer is to repeat the wash, not to strengthen the mix.
| Concentrate | Water | Cleans approximately |
|---|---|---|
| 1 US gallon | 4 US gallons | 375 sq ft |
| 5 US gallons | 20 US gallons | 1,900 sq ft |
Alliance lists a Gator sprayer, a pump sprayer or a watering can for applying the diluted product. If you have not used it on your pavers before, the 8 oz Gator Shampoo sample is enough to try on a test area.
How to use Gator Clean Shampoo step by step
- Test first. Alliance says to always test on a small hidden area of about 4 sq ft to make sure the result meets your expectations.
- Wet the pavers with water. The paver surface must be wet before you apply the shampoo and must stay wet from start to finish.
- Apply the diluted shampoo to the wet surface with a sprayer or watering can.
- Scrub vigorously with a hard bristle brush.
- Rinse thoroughly with water, then move on to the next section of 75 sq ft.
- Repeat steps 3 to 5 over every section that needs it. Alliance notes you should repeat the steps if a lot of dirt is trapped in the pavers or stone.
- Finish with a generous rinse. Once the surface is clean, rinse with a hose until there is no more foaming action on the pavers.
Precautions from the label
- Do not let the product dry on the surface.
- Do not apply under hot sun.
- Keep the paver surface wet from start to finish.
- Wear goggles and rubber gloves.
- Store the container above 32°F.
- It is not an efflorescence cleaner.
Tip: Clean in the morning or on an overcast day and keep the sections small. That makes it much easier to keep the surface wet and stop the shampoo drying before you rinse.
Cleaning pavers before sealing
Sealer locks in whatever is on the surface, so the cleaning sequence matters. Alliance's sealer data sheets lay it out:
- Remove stains with Gator Clean products, and use Gator Sealer Stripper on any unknown coating.
- Replace any contaminated jointing material with Gator polymeric sand, then wait at least 48 hours at 60°F or warmer with no rain.
- Clean the entire surface with Gator Efflorescence Cleaner for proper sealer adhesion.
- Wait at least 48 hours at 60°F or warmer with no rain so the sand and paver surface are dry, then seal.
The shampoo fits in step 1 for general dirt, but the whole surface preseal clean in Alliance's system is done with the efflorescence cleaner. See our TDS and SDS library for the full sheets.
How much shampoo do you need?
Work from Alliance's figure of approximately 375 sq ft per gallon of concentrate (mixed with 4 gallons of water). A 12 x 12 ft patio is 144 sq ft, well within one gallon for a single wash. A 20 x 20 ft patio is 400 sq ft, just over one gallon. Allow extra if you expect to repeat heavily soiled sections, and consider the 5 gallon size for large driveways and pool decks.
Frequently asked questions
Will Gator Shampoo harm polymeric sand joints?
Alliance states that Gator Shampoo will not negatively affect polymeric sand joints, and recommends it for cleaning paved surfaces including the joints.
Can you mix it stronger for dirty pavers?
No. The ideal mixture is 4 parts water to 1 part product, and Alliance warns stronger concentrations can discolor pavers. Repeat the wash instead.
Does it remove efflorescence?
No. The data sheet states it is not an efflorescence cleaner. Use Gator Efflorescence Cleaner for that.
Is Gator Shampoo safe for plants?
Alliance says it will not affect grass, flowers or plantings.
Can you use it on natural stone?
Yes. It is listed for concrete pavers, wetcast and natural stone. Test a small hidden area first, as the label directs.
Ready to clean? Order Gator Clean Shampoo or browse all paver and stone cleaners. Not sure which cleaner fits your stain? Call us 24/7 at (856) 418-4895.