How to keep your natural stone clean

Whatever your stone, ask yourself how porous it is and whether it has been sealed. Usually your stone will come with specific instructions on how to seal it immediately after installation – this will have major implications on how it should be cleaned over time. We usually recommend Lithofin Stain-Stop for our natural stone products, preferably this is applied prior to installation.

On the whole, most stone will respond well to a combination of warm water, washing up liquid and elbow grease. A clean cloth or non-abrasive stiff brush will take care of 80%+ of the surface dirt that is stopping it looking its best. We also recommend using Lithofin Power Clean on our natural stone products.

Some people champion the use of bleach, but we would urge caution on that. Bleach can accidentally harm grass, plants and insects so generally we try to avoid it, though a small amount diluted in water will provide an extra weapon against slimy, slippy green algae and moss. (Remember to wear gloves and possibly a mask to avoid inhalation, and dispose of the mixture carefully afterwards down an outside drain).

Jet washers can provide that extra blast you need, but you can find that you are blasting away filler, sealant and natural patina / character too – so don’t overdo it. We would recommend this 1-2 times per year. Many natural stone cleaning products are also available to help with the job – check the stone types listed on the side to verify that it is appropriate for yours.

One tip, don’t put salt on natural stone, it can leave marks on the stone permanently. If anything, use sand during the Winter months if needed.

It’s a good idea to test any cleaning technique or product on a spot that is not very visible, just in case you’re not keen on the results. Then when you’re happy, move all your furniture out of the way safely and work in a logical way, back towards your exit point – you don’t want to clean yourself into a corner and have to walk across your beautifully cleaned paving to get into the house.

There’s also the ‘prevention is better than cure’ rule. Avoiding the build-up of dirt through regular sweeping and scrubbing – and promptly cleaning up any spillages or bird droppings – will make sure the work required is minimal and your stone looks its best for longer. 

And if in doubt, ask an expert – or indeed ask an expert to do it for you. Many gardeners will know exactly what to do and will be able to do it in half the time you can. Just remember to get a few different quotes to make sure you’re not paying any more than you need to.