Clean stone surfaces with a neutral cleaner, stone soap, or a mild liquid dishwashing detergent and warm water. Similar to any item cleaned in your home, an excessive concentration of cleaner or soap may leave a film and cause streaks.
Fill a bucket with warm water and a small amount of vinegar. Dish soap is also fine for making a mild cleanser for stone veneer. Scrub the stone siding lightly with a soft, wet sponge dipped in the solution, rinsing the sponge often to prevent rubbing dirt back onto the siding.
Clean stone surfaces with warm water and a mild soap such as a clear Dawn Liquid Soap. Do not use products that contain lemon, vinegar or other acids on marble or limestone.
Acidic commercial cleaners and those containing harsh chemicals, like bleach, can damage and dull natural stone surfaces.
In most instances, using a basic mixture of soap and water will be enough to clean any dirt and debris off your natural stone. To do so you, mix a bucket of warm water with an acid-free washing-up liquid to avoid any staining or discoloration.
1. Mix a solution of 1-part R155 Intensive Cleaner to 6-parts clean water in a bucket. 2. Using a stiff natural bristle scrub brush, dip brush in cleaning solution and apply to dirty stone and scrub area for 1 minute.
Hot water cleaning, low-pressure cleaning, and steam cleaning are one of the safest methods of restoring and maintaining soiled building façades and exteriors made from natural stone such as sandstone, limestone, slate, or quartzite, and other natural stones.
No Pressure Washing
Stone veneer is made of cement, aggregate materials and pigments. Yes, It's extremely durable, but a power washer is never recommended for cleaning. The high pressure that's associated with power washing can erode delicate surface features, and wash away pigmentation details.
It's essential to only use cleaners which are appropriate for natural stone surfaces. This means avoiding using vinegar. Stones like limestone, marble, or travertine will react to vinegar because it's an acidic cleaner with harsh effects.
Apply a paste of baking soda and water over the stain and leave it for 24 hours. Gently scrub the area and rinse it with plain water. Stains on Sandstone pavers, Travertine floor tiles, and Marble floors can easily be cleaned with a baking soda solution.
DON'T: Use harsh or abrasive cleaners and sponges.
Windex; acidic cleaners, like vinegar, lemon, lime; or anything with ammonia or bleach should be avoided. Frequent use of these chemicals will dull and weaken the sealant over time.
The simplest answer is no, it is best to avoid bleach when cleaning any type of natural stone. Many home cleaning products, particularly bleach and vinegar, are too harsh or acidic to be on natural stone. These cleaners strip down the stone and leave it in a weak, damaged state.
CARE AND MAINTENANCE GUIDELINES
Exterior stone flooring from NATURE STONE® Brand Flooring can be hosed down or pressure washed.
Clean stone surfaces with a few drops of neutral cleaner, stone soap (specific products from Lithofin for example), or a dishwashing detergent and warm water. Use a clean soft cloth for best results. Too much cleaner or soap may leave a film and cause streaks.
Diluted Muriatic Acid (Hydrochloric Acid)
While this can be used as a cleaning solution diluted with water, this acid can also be found in other cleaning products. Known for its distinctive pungent smell, muriatic acid is typically considered for those looking to clean heavily soiled brick, concrete or stone.
Use soapy water, or, for tougher stains as well as moss and algae, a bleach mixture. Combine equal parts of bleach and water and pour onto the slabs. Leave for around 30 minutes and wash off with a stiff brush, power washer or a hose to ensure you've got rid of all the bleach.
Let's make it simple. To be safe, let me say that for the most part, all stone surfaces should be sealed for maximum protection. The worst case when you are dealing with a stone that is not very porous is that the stone will absorb very little sealer to achieve maximized protection.
Create a solution using Dawn and warm water to gently clean siding that's covered in dirt, moss, or mold. Coat the siding with the mixture, let it soak, and then hose it off.
Mix a Stone or Deck Cleaner with Water – Using a specific outdoor stone cleaner, mix it with water according to the manufacturer's instructions. Scrub this into your Patio – To clean patio stones, scrub this mixture onto your patio using a soft brush that won't scratch the stones.
Use a detergent such as Dawn or Ajax dishwashing liquid mixed with water to brighten a concrete patio that hasn't been cleaned in a while. Just as you would regularly vacuum the floor and dust your furniture inside your house, you should keep your patio clean so it's ready at a moment's notice to entertain.
Whilst vinegar will not directly dissolve concrete itself, but it will degrade the cement that binds your concrete slabs or flags together. Extended exposure to vinegar will also cause any polish or sealant on your pavers to erode over time, leading to bleaching, stains and weathering.