Cleaning and maintenance of your natural stone can be easy when done correctly. We have written up a guide on the different types of stains you may come across and what methods to use to remove them.
The strategy for removing the stain depends on what type of stain it is so we have included a method of stain removal for each kind of stain you may come across whether your stone is indoors or outdoors.
Included in this article is how to clean:
General Maintenance
When it comes to the general maintenance of stone, there are a lot of opinions on the right way to maintain them. Through our industry experience and testing, the method we suggest is to mix dishwashing liquid with water and scrub with a soft kitchen broom. This will solve a majority of stains that your stone will come across in their lifetime.
Pool Area
- Wash down with warm water and ph neutral detergent (e.g. Morning Fresh).
- Broom the solution around with a soft kitchen broom and hose the residue away. Do this at the start and end of Summer and it will keep your stone in pristine condition.
Kitchen Bench
- Wipe down after use with a damp microfibre cloth, wipe up spills and residues during use.
Shower Bathroom
- Wash down with a ph neutral spray and wipe as you would any bathroom cleaning process.
Flooring
- Sweep as required with soft bristle brooms or vacuum with hard floor attachments.
- Mop with ph neutral detergent.
Rust
Rust is a common stain you’ll find on your pool pavers, usually from fencing, swarf, or from metal pool furniture you may have in your pool area.
Prevention is always better than a cure. Clean/sweep down your stone if any metal work is being conducted on the area as it occurs.
The first step to cleaning rust is to try removing the stain with ph neutral detergent and water, agitate with a soft kitchen broom. If the stain persists, try this method for removing rust.
Oxalic Acid
- Always test on one stain before applying to every stain.
- Always wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – A minimum requirement of Safety Glasses, Gloves & Boots. Damage to clothing may occur.
- Mix oxalic acid at 100ml per 1L of water.
- Spray or brush on, allow 2-3 minutes, then lightly scrub the area with a soft kitchen broom.
- Rinse area thoroughly with water.
- Repeat the process if stains persist.
Note: If you do not have access to oxalic acid, CLR is a viable alternative.
CAUTION: Avoid using this method near aluminium trims and furnishings.
Efflorescence
Efflorescence is the formation of salts through the process of evaporation. This is rare in natural stone but can become an issue due to masonry and concrete bases leaching. It appears as a white crystal on the surface of the stone often after periods of heavy rain.
It is important to note that efflorescence looks like calcium build up. The easy way to tell is efflorescence will disappear when wet calcium will remain unchanged.
The first step to cleaning efflorescence is to try removing the stain with dishwashing liquid and water and then scrubbing with a soft kitchen broom. If the stain persists, we recommend cleaning by a professional. The below is a general guide.
Hydrochloric Acid
- Always test on one stain before applying to every stain.
- Always wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – A minimum requirement of Safety Glasses, Gloves & Boots. Damage to clothing may occur.
- Lightly wet the area with fresh water.
- Mix hydrochloric acid at 40-65ml per 1L of Water in a plastic watering can, add 1 cap full of washing up detergent and apply to 3-5m2 at a time. As the stone mildly fizzes, agitate gently with a soft kitchen broom. Let the area lightly fizz for 1 minute only. (Do not use a higher concentration or longer active time as it will cause damage).
- Do not allow the solution to dry on the surface.
- Rinse the area thoroughly with fresh water and repeat the rinse.
- Neutralise the area with a capful of dishwashing liquid (e.g. Morning Fresh) in 5-10L of water.
- Rinse with fresh water.
CAUTION: The use of any acid on stone is a last resort, the whole job is required to be cleaned to avoid overall discolouration and patchiness. We strongly recommend contacting a professional for this process.
Organic Stains
Organic stains such as food, wine, moss, mould, animal droppings, timber, and leaf stains are a common occurrence in pool areas, specifically in areas without much sunlight.
The first step to cleaning organic stains is to try removing the mark with dishwashing liquid and water and then scrubbing with a soft kitchen broom. If the stain is minor, leave the mark for 2-3 days. If the stain persists, try a chlorine based wash.
Chlorine
- Always test on one stain before applying to every stain.
- Always wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – A minimum requirement of Safety Glasses, Gloves & Boots. Damage to clothing may occur.
- Mix chlorine at 200ml per 1L of water in a plastic container for mild staining and neat for persistent stains.
- Leave for 5 minutes and then scrub with a soft kitchen broom.
- Do not allow the solution to dry.
- Rinse the area when the marks disappear.
Soap Scum
Soap scum is a white solid build-up of minerals that results from the addition of soap to high mineral content water. You’ll usually come across this type of stain in your bathroom.
The first step to cleaning soap scum is to try removing the stain with dishwashing liquid and water and then scrubbing with a soft kitchen broom. If the stain persists, try using the method below.
Non-Caustic Detergent
- Always test on one stain before applying to every stain.
- Always wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – A minimum requirement of Safety Glasses, Gloves & Boots. Damage to clothing may occur.
- Mix non-caustic detergent at 50 ml per 1 Litre of hot water. Flood the affected area and allow to react for 2-3 minutes. Scrub with a soft kitchen broom, then mop off.
- Flood the affected area and allow to react for 2-3 minutes. Scrub with a soft kitchen broom.
- The area must be rinsed with dishwashing liquid (e.g. Morning Fresh) to remove any residue.
Cement & Grout Residue
The first step to cleaning cement & grout residue is to try removing the stain with dishwashing liquid and water and then scrubbing with a soft kitchen broom.
If the stain persists contact a professional who can conduct an acid clean.
Grease/Fat/Oil
For heavy grease and oil deposits, such as from a BBQ, the method of removal is simple.
The first step to cleaning is to try removing the stain with dishwashing liquid and water and then scrubbing with a soft kitchen broom. If the stain persists, non-caustic degreasers is a good method for removing heavy grease and oil deposits.
Non-Caustic Detergent
- Always test on one stain before applying to every stain.
- Always wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – A minimum requirement of Safety Glasses, Gloves & Boots. Damage to clothing may occur.
- Mix non-caustic detergent to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Flood the affected area and allow to react for 2-3 minutes. Scrub with a soft kitchen broom.
- The area must be rinsed with dishwashing liquid (e.g. Morning Fresh) to remove any residue.
Epoxy, Wax, Glue
The first step to cleaning epoxy, wax, or glue spills from your stone is to try removing the stain with dishwashing liquid and water and then scrubbing with a soft kitchen broom. If the stain persists, non-caustic detergent is a good method for removing wax and glue.
Non-Caustic Detergent
- Always test on one stain before applying to every stain.
- Always wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – A minimum requirement of Safety Glasses, Gloves & Boots. Damage to clothing may occur.
- Mix non-caustic detergent to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Flood the affected area and allow to react for 2-3 minutes. Scrub with a soft kitchen broom.
- The area must be rinsed with water and dishwashing liquid (e.g. Morning Fresh) to remove any residue.
Dirty Grout
Dirty grout is a common occurrence. This doesn’t have to be the case. The method below should make light work and have your grout looking good as new.
The first step to cleaning dirty grout is to try removing the stain with dishwashing liquid and water and then scrubbing with a soft kitchen broom. If the stain persists, try one of the 2 methods below for removing dirty grout from between pool pavers.
Non-Caustic Detergent
- Always test on one stain before applying to every stain.
- Always wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – A minimum requirement of Safety Glasses, Gloves & Boots. Damage to clothing may occur.
- Mix non-caustic detergent to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Flood the affected area and allow to react for 2-3 minutes. Scrub with a soft kitchen broom.
- The area must be rinsed with water and dishwashing liquid (e.g. Morning Fresh) to remove any residue.
Lime Scale
Lime scale occurs around in areas with hard water. It is the light cream build up that occurs on showers, taps and kettles. It also occurs on tiles in shower recesses, sinks and sometimes pool surrounds. The big thing with lime scale is to act quickly and avoid build up. If you notice a light deposit forming on your stone, or a general cloudiness over your stone you likely have lime scale.
The best product for the removal of general lime scale is CLR. Simply follow manufacturers instructions. If you find the issue persists contact a Lithic Team member for special cleaning instructions.
Scratches & Chips
There are several simple ways of remedying a scratch or chip depending on the severity of the damage. For a tailored solution to rectify accidental damage, call us and talk to one of our team.
Cleaning and maintenance of your natural stone is a difficult and tedious task, and we thank you for taking the time to read our guide. Hopefully the information above has got your backyard looking brand new and given your outdoor area a new lease on life.
If, for any reason, you still need assistance with cleaning stains off of your stone, or maybe you just need a bit of clarification on one of our methods, don’t hesitate to give us a call. One of our consultants will be more than happy to help you with any questions you may have.
