How to Care For Outdoor Stone
One of the simplest ways to add a sense of luxury to your yard is to add some stone furnishings. While some stone surfaces can be power washed and scrubbed with kitchen cleaner, higher-end outdoor stone like granite and marble require special care. Here are some tips on how to keep your outdoor stone looking as beautiful as they day they were installed.
Don’t let the dirt and mildew build up.
It goes without saying that it is easier to clean up a mess when it hasn’t been accumulating for extended periods of time. To make your life easier and to avoid staining and other problems, regularly sweep off dirt, leaves, and pollen from your outdoor stone. You should also try to wipe up any spills as soon as possible. If your stone is exposed to rain, you can let it air dry. Otherwise, wipe up excess moisture when you can to avoid stains. Allowing dirt and water to accumulate on your stone can also lead to mold. While having mold anywhere on your home isn’t good, it’s especially important to clean and disinfect any surface that is used in food preparation.
Use only stone cleaner.
If your stone gets grimy it is important to use specialized cleaning products to avoid damaging the surface. There are plenty of options available including spray bottles and containers of liquid cleaner.
Granite Gold’s
outdoor cleaner is safe to use on Granite, marble, travertine, limestone, slate and tile. If your surfaces happen to have mold, you can use a gentle cloth or brush and a 1:1 solution of water and bleach to clean them. You want to avoid using common detergents because some of the ingredients could discolor your stone.
Remove stains to restore your stone’s appearance.
stone is a porous material and therefore susceptible to stains. Stains from liquids are easily absorbed into the stone and can cause deep staining. The key in removing the discoloration is identifying the type of stain. Is your stain caused by oil? Natural elements? Mold and Mildew? Rust or paint? No matter the cause there are ways to remove – or at least lessen the appearance of – the stain. From bleach mixtures to baking soda to Poultice there are ways to tackle discolored spots on your stone. To find out which solution is right for your surface, check out stone Institute’s blog on the topic: https://bsyl.ink/RemovingStains .
Seal your outdoor stone.
The easiest way to avoid stains and keep your stone surfaces spotless is to seal them when required. If you aren’t sure if you need to seal, check out our blog on how to conduct the water test here: https://bsyl.ink/WaterTestBlog . This test can help you determine how porous your stone is. Sealing your stone surfaces fills in the pores and prevents water and debris from collecting. If you have a good-quality stone, you won’t need to reseal for several years, and cleaning will be much easier.
We hope you find these tips useful the next time you go to clean your exterior stone. While frequent cleaning can seem tedious, it will avoid stains and mold and will keep your stone surfaces looking new.
Are you looking to add stone to your house? Contact us today to learn more about our offerings at (818) 860-7142.
