A cum laude graduate of Rider University, Brendan Wetzel has spent 10 years as the owner and president of Yardley Landscaping and Paving Company in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. As such, Brendan Wetzel manages not only a multitude of landscaping services, but also driveway work that includes seal coating, paving, power washing, and black top work.

A newly paved and sealed driveway can provide homeowners with peace of mind for years to come. There are a few tips individuals can take to maintain a clean driveway in between sealant applications, which should occur, on average, every three to five years.

When it comes to dirt or mud that has been brought in on car tires or by weather, homeowners can make use of a standard power washer. Those without a power washer can remove dirt and mud from their driveway with a hard-bristled broom and garden hose. To remove dirt and mud from the asphalt completely, individuals should be liberal with water throughout the cleaning process.

As for leaves, mulch, and other organic matter that may spill onto a driveway, homeowners are advised to act quickly and clear the debris before brown tannin stains set in. If stains do form, they will dissolve on their own, though individuals can expedite the process with an application of liquid dish detergent and hot water.

Lastly, if latex paint spills on a driveway, a combination of water and common scouring powder, along with a stiff-bristled nylon brush, often does the trick. Oil and acrylic paints, meanwhile, pose more of a challenge. In the case of an asphalt driveway, it is sometimes easiest to reseal the area, as any solvent capable of dissolving these paints would damage the underlying driveway.