Landscapes that include natural stone are often some of the most beautiful. In order to keep them that way, natural stone needs to be cleaned and protected. Here are eight tips for cleaning and protecting natural stone, brought to you by the stoneyard experts at the EP Jansen Nursery in the Sussex County, NJ area.
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Clear Debris
The first step to cleaning your outdoor natural stone surfaces is to use a push broom to sweep off any debris, such as loose sand, dirt, grass clippings, leaves, or gravel. Some professionals use a backpack blower to clear debris, but a bristled push broom will help remove debris between joints. However, do not use a wire brush on natural stone or it can become damaged.
Hose Down Natural Stone Surfaces
Rinse down the natural stone surfaces using water from a garden hose. This process will help loosen up dirt and debris not removed with a broom. If you do not have any severe stains and are just doing a basic cleanup, this may be all that’s needed.
Use a Neutral Cleaner
Always use a neutral cleaner on your natural stone surfaces. You can mix dish detergent with warm water and then apply it to the surface. Use a push broom to apply the solution across the natural stone. If needed, you can use a bristle brush to scrub tough stains. However, do not use anything abrasive, or it could damage the surfaces.
Difficult stains can also be soaked in a natural stone cleaner solution. These solutions are mixed with water and then sprayed onto the surface. Generally, it should be allowed to soak on the stain for about 30 minutes before it needs to be scrubbed with a brush.
Use a Powerwasher
Powerwashing can be an effective method for cleaning natural stone surfaces. However, it may be a good idea to have a professional do the powerwashing for you so that the natural stone is not damaged. The pressure should not be set above 1000 psi, and no acids, bleach, or high alkaline chemicals should be used.
Rinse Thoroughly After Cleaning
Once you have finished cleaning the surfaces, rinse down the area with a garden hose. This step ensures that all of the soap and cleaners used are thoroughly removed so that a film doesn’t develop on the surfaces. After this final rinse, give it time to dry.
Seal Natural Stone Surfaces
It’s a great idea to seal the natural stone to prevent stains. For example, if someone spills something on your natural stone patio, the sealant helps protect the natural stone, so you have time to clean it up before it stains the surface.
Clean Spills Immediately
Quickly cleaning up spills will help you keep your natural stone areas like new. It’s a good practice to clean up any spills immediately, so it does not stain the surface. While sealing does help prevent stains, they can still occur, especially if the surface hasn’t been sealed in a long time.
Regularly Clean and Protect Natural Stone Surfaces
Pressure washing is generally done every five years or so to help brighten the appearance. Sweeping, hosing down the surfaces, and cleaning with a mild detergent are usually done more frequently as it is needed. You can choose to do this seasonally or once per year, based on the appearance of your natural stone surfaces.
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