Toothbrushes and toothpicks work well for soft rocks and minerals. Use a toothbrush to remove material from the surface and a toothpick to remove dirt and mud trapped in small cavities. Wire brushes and dental picks work well for hard stones. Brass brushes are slightly softer than steel brushes.
Let the rocks soak for a few minutes in warm water and soap. This will help loosen up any stuck-on debris. I like using bottled dish soap to clean rocks. It is inexpensive and normally something I have on hand. Dish soap will help unstick anything that might be stuck to the rock. It will also rinse off cleanly.
The best way to clean river rock is with a combination of water, vinegar, and a stiff brush. First, remove any debris or loose dirt from the surface of the rocks. Then, mix equal parts water and white vinegar in a spray bottle, and generously spray the solution over the rocks.
Use a small bristle brush or a toothbrush to clean the crevices and hard-to-reach areas of the large landscape rocks. You can use warm water and vinegar solution to deeper clean these areas for a deep clean. Rinse the rocks again.
To achieve a permanent wet look for rocks, you can consider using a professional-grade penetrating sealer specifically designed for natural stone.
Sometimes, you may wish to preserve calcite formations on your rocks and minerals. To clean surface stains on calcite, dip it in vinegar for a few seconds and quickly rinse with water. Don't leave it in too long, or the calcite will start to noticeably dissolve. Repeat the process until you see the results you want.
Use a 1/2 cup of any of the following: ammonia, bleach, or hydrogen peroxide and a gallon of water. Reminder: do not mix bleach and ammonia. On light colored stones, clean with bleach or hydrogen peroxide. On dark colored stones, clean with lacquer thinner or acetone.
Bleaching dry rock or a “bleach cure” involves soaking the rock in a diluted solution of water and bleach. The bleach will oxidize and rapidly break down organic material on the surface of the rock.
Landscaping rocks, boulders and feature stones require some maintenance, but again, this is simple and easy. Cover the stones in a combination of water and washing up liquid or vinegar and use a scrubbing brush to clean the surface, removing any dirt and algae.
Bicarbonate soda, baking soda. Scrub them as well as you can with a runny mix, rinse it off, and then coat the rocks in a slurry of bicarb soda and water. Let that dry out overnight, brush as much as you can off while dry, then scrub and rinse again.
Keep It Simple to Clean Natural Stone
You can use any type of mild soap detergent, such as dish or hand soap, and mix it with a little water. Wet the stone first, and then use a bristle brush and soap solution to wipe the stone clean. The last step is to make sure you rinse thoroughly.
Use denatured alcohol to melt the wax off of stones by soaking the stones in a small jar filled with it. Make sure the jar has a good air tight lid. You do not want to spill any of the alcohol and it also evaporates.
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. Rinse the surface thoroughly after washing with the soap solution and dry with a soft cloth. Change the rinse water frequently.
Clean light-colored stones with bleach or hydrogen peroxide. Clean darker stones with acetone or lacquer thinner. Wipes the surface with a clean, damp cloth to remove any residue. Dry the surface with a paper towel.
Baking soda is known as a stain remover. It can help to remove liquid stains such as tea, wine or coffee. It also helps to remove the unpleasant smells. It is quite affective on solid surfaces in general but it is not advised to use baking soda directly on natural stone surfaces.
Choose an Exterior Sealant
Decorative rock suppliers can often suggest brands to use, but you'll also need to narrow down your choice of options by how much shine you want to see. Exterior sealants tend to come in low-sheen formulas that create a wet look that blends more naturally into the rest of the landscaping.
Capture the brilliant shine of polished rocks with resin spray and sealer with this simple tutorial… no rock tumbler needed!
Dampen a square of thick cloth, preferably denim or similar material, and add a good dab of toothpaste. Work the stone through the toothpaste and over the fabric to create a beautiful luster. Depending on the stone, add more toothpaste several times until the desired shine is achieved.
Vinegar, being acidic, can etch the surface of the stone, leading to dullness and potential damage. Over time, the use of vinegar can also degrade the protective sealants applied to the stone, making it more susceptible to staining and other forms of damage.
A mixture of white vinegar and water can help remove any stubborn dirt. Baking soda can also lift dirt, and is best used with warm water and an abrasive brush. Avoid using harsh cleaning products like bleach around plants, and make sure you rinse your landscaping rocks thoroughly before placing them back in your yard.
Vinegar is mostly acetic acid, a weak acid good for dissolving organics and even certain types of minerals (but not whatever calcium that many fossils are made out of). Basically, it can sometimes clear and clean up a rock, exposing and showing off more fossil.