Our Top Tips On How To Clean Your Natural Stone Patio & Outdoor Tiles​

Introduction

In this blog we will give you a few tips on the best ways to clean and maintain your paving slabs and outdoor tiles. There are a few different products that you can use to help keep your patio clean and glowing.

If you are only dealing with a small level of dirt the most cost-effective and natural method we would suggest is using white vinegar. This is a popular solution as it is very eco-friendly and avoids the use of chemicals.

You are watching: Our Top Tips On How To Clean Your Natural Stone Patio & Outdoor Tiles​

The Vinegar Method

Before you begin cleaning your outdoor space we advise that you remove all your plants and outdoor furniture. You should also brush any dirt from your patio and removed any weeds that might be present.

Once you’ve cleared the area you intend to clean, create a solution with a 50:50 ratio of vinegar to water. Once have your solution ready, pour it onto your patio, ensuring it is spread evenly and covers the entire patio area. Allow the solution to sit on the floor for approximately 20-25 minutes. After allowing the solution to soak in to the surface, scrub the area with a brush. Finally, you should rinse your paving area with water to remove the solution. Once these steps have been completed you can put all your garden furniture back to its original place and you can relax and enjoy your garden!

Power Washing

The quickest way to clean your patio is to use a power-washer. This is a quick-fix option however caution is advised when using this method, as the water pressure could possibly damage your patio/paving.

When you are using your power washer you should start at a low setting to reduce the risk of damaging your patio area. When using a power washer be careful when washing grouted areas, as these sections are more prone to be damaged by high pressure.

There are a number of professional cleaning products that can assist you in cleaning your pavement/patio.

Read more : How to Clean Your Garbage Can

For general cleaning you can use Stontex All in One Outdoor Cleaner 5L (buy now here) : This high-performance cleaner that is the first port of call for general cleaning of your patio. It is best suited to natural stone paving, concrete driveways and paths as well as decking and wooden garden furniture.

We advise customers to wear gloves and protective clothing when using this solution. For very dirty areas apply the cleaner undiluted, for general cleaning dilute with a 50:50 ratio pf cleaner and water.

This clean is very effective against organic stains such as lichen, algae and moss. It cleans by penetrating the material and lifting the stains out of the patio.

Like many of the other products we’ve mentioned we suggest you use a bristle brush to apply, let it dwell on the surface for 20/30 minutes. It doesn’t matter if you wash the residue with either hot or cold water as long as it is clean and you allow the surface to dry. 5L of this product will treat approximately 200sqm.

Stontex All-in-One Outdoor Cleaner in action

For removing grout you can use Stontex Cement Away 5L (buy now here)

This market-leading product contains a safe level acid supported with very good reviews. It is used forremoving grout film, lime mortar and cement residue from surfaces, both internal and external. Cement away is ideal for acid-resistant surfaces such as ceramic and porcelain or most other stones, however it should not be used on either marble or limestone.

In terms of applying the product to your chosen surface make sure that the material is wet, then apply neat to the wet surface and agitate with a soft bristle brush and allow to dwell on the surface for 10-15 minutes. Next, wash the residue off with plenty of clean cold or warm water and allow the surface to dry. If the stain reappears, re-apply with a higher concentration and repeat the process until the stain is removed completely. 5 litres of this product covers approximately 200 square meters.

Read more : 25 Easy Summer Appetizers

For removing serious dirt and grime you can use Stontex Heavy Duty Grime Remover (buy now here)

This will give your pavement a very professional and clean look. It is a perfect product to treat both marble and limestone. Depending on the severity of the stain you can use this product neat or diluted with water. You should also use a bristle brush, always leave it to sit on the surface for around 10/15 minutes. Once this is completed you must wash all residue thoroughly with warm water and make sure you don’t allow the solution to dry in on the surface. If the stain in question is quite big, increasing the concentration of your solution is your best bet.

All we know that rust reduces product lifespan. Stonetex Rust Off 1L (buy now here) is a unique gel formula cleaner used for removing rust-iron-oxide based stains from surfaces both internal and external.

Apply the gel to the rusty stained surface and agitate with a soft bristle brush. The gel will envelop the iron oxide / rust into it. Leave the gel to dwell on the surface for no longer than 10 minutes, leaving it longer will allow the rust to come out of the gel and re-stain the material. Next wash the residue off with plenty of clean cold or warm water and allow the surface to dry, if stains reappear re-apply as above.

For mould and heavy grime you can use Stontex Black Spot Remover 5L (buy now here)

Is a much more powerful version of the All in One Outdoor Cleaner. Like all the products we have spoken about it is also a high quality cleaner which will remove even the most stubborn stains such as oil, grease, moss and algae. After applying to a surface, leave to work overnight. Next, wash the residue off with plenty of clean cold or warm water and allow the surface to dry.

We would always recommend to start with the least powerful cleaner first ie water and see does this work for your patio, if you are not happy with the results then you can move onto trying white vinegar before progressing onto any professional cleaning products. Remember to try a test area first, before proceeding to clean your whole patio with professional cleaning products.

Why Tile Merchant?

We offer extremely competitive pricing on our entire range of tiles and likewise. We stock a huge range of wall and floor tiles and our prices are competitive for retail and trade. Our stock is widely available in our tile stores in Dublin and Ashbourne (Co. Meath) which are open 7 days a week.Alternatively, if you’d prefer to shop our tiles online, we can supply you with samples delivered for free.

Source: https://gardencourte.com
Categories: Outdoor