Ultra Outdoors
Stone pavers are one of the most popular materials for creating walkways and sidewalks around your home. They’re durable, strong and come in various looks and sizes, making them easy to adapt to any aesthetic.
However, to maintain whatever aesthetic you choose, it’s essential to keep your stone pavers clean. Unfortunately, many people neglect cleaning pavers, which results in quicker wear and tear, which may ruin an otherwise beautiful backyard.
If you’re looking to make your stone pavers as good as new again with a simple cleaning, you’ve come to the right place. Keep reading to learn how to clean pavers in just five easy steps.
What Are Stone Pavers?
Before learning how to clean stone pavers, let’s go through a refresher to ensure you know what exactly stone pavers are.
A paver is a stone commonly made from concrete, but that can also be made from:
- Natural stone
- Clay brick
- Porcelain
Although there are several possible varieties, stone pavers are typically cut from quarries, although they are sometimes made from concrete. No matter what the material, stone pavers are used to create flat surfaces that are accessible and easy to walk on.
You may use stone pavers for:
Since most stone pavers are cut from quarries, they come in various sizes, shapes, and colors, which makes them unique from other pavers that typically have a uniform look.
Stone pavers are known for their durability and resilience. Let’s check out some of the other benefits of stone pavers.
Benefits of Stone Pavers
There are several benefits to stone pavers. As mentioned, they are durable and long-lasting. In fact, they are some of the most durable materials that you can choose. This is best illustrated by the fact that they have been around for thousands of years and used by many people, such as the Romans and the Greeks.
Aesthetically, stone pavers are a beautiful choice for your walkways. They have a natural color and texture that varies per stone, which can create a beautifully unique walkway for your backyard.
It’s also easy to get creative with stone pavers. You can choose different colors and shapes to create distinct patterns and designs for your walkway. While stone pavers can be more challenging to install than other types of stone, many homeowners find that the result is worth it.
The last benefit is that stone pavers are relatively easy to clean, especially compared to other materials such as wood or gravel. To illustrate, let’s walk through how to clean stone pavers.
How to Clean Stone Pavers
Cleaning pavers doesn’t have to be a difficult all-day task. In fact, you can do it in five easy steps and with things you already have lying around your home.
To help you out, here’s how to clean pavers in five steps.
Step 1: Clear the area
Before you start cleaning your stone pavers, you want to ensure that the pavers and the area surrounding them are clear.
Remove any objects that are sitting on your pavers, including furniture and plants. You should also remove objects near the pavers to avoid damaging them and any debris and plants on the pavers. Pull out any weeds that are growing and loosen any unwanted moss. It’s also a good idea to sweep the pavers to eliminate any large debris that would get in the way.
Step 2: Wet the pavers
Once your stone pavers are clear, it’s time to wet them. This is a crucial step before adding any cleaning solution to ensure that the pavers are correctly saturated.
You can either pour buckets of water over the pavers or use light pressure from your hose to wet the pavers. Ensure the stone pavers are decently wet but not soaked before proceeding.
Step 3: Prepare your cleaning solution
Preparing your cleaning solution is the next step in cleaning stone pavers.
When it comes to a cleaning solution to clean your pavers, you can either buy one or make one yourself. There are a variety of mold and mildew solutions on the market that work great, but a DIY solution is so easy to make that it’s not worth going out of your way to buy new products.
You only need mild dish soap and water to make your stone paver cleaning solution. Combine and stir the solution well. Once combined, pour the solution evenly over the stone pavers.
It’s a good idea to prepare your solution before you wet your pavers with water to prevent the water from drying up before you scrub.
Step 4: Scrub the pavers
Once your cleaning solution is on the pavers, it’s time to scrub using a stiff brush. Scrubbing is the most essential part of the process. It’s how you’ll get most of the dirt and grime off the stone pavers.
Avoid using a wire-bristled brush, as this can damage the pavers. Be sure to brush thoroughly but gently. Brushing vigorously could also scratch the stone or remove the finish.
Step 5: Rinse the pavers
With all your pavers scrubbed, the last step is to rinse them.
It’s best to rinse stone pavers using your garden hose – it’s even better if your hose has a nozzle attachment to adjust the pressure while you rinse.
You may need to repeat this process a few times to remove stubborn dirt and mold. Remember to focus on scrubbing, but not too vigorously.
Other Stone Paver Maintenance Tips
Now that you know how to clean patio pavers, it’s a good idea to know how to maintain them to prevent having to clean them further.
Here are a few additional tips to help you properly clean and maintain stone pavers:
- Avoid pouring substances that aren’t water onto your pavers, including dirty water used to clean around your home, as well as drinks and other substances.
- Don’t use too hard of a bristled brush to avoid damaging the stone pavers.
- Avoid pressure washing if possible. While they are great for a quick wash, they can also damage the paver stone by removing the finish.
- Avoid acidic solutions such as vinegar, or those that are too alkaline, such as bleach. Stick to neutral solutions and focus more on brushing to get rid of tough stains.
- You should clean your stone pavers at least once every season if you live in a warm climate and at least once a year if you live somewhere with winter weather.
How to Clean Stone Pavers FAQs
What is the best way to clean stone pavers?
The best way to clean patio pavers is to use a brush to scrub the pavers clean with your cleaning solution of choice.
It might also be a good idea to rinse your pavers with a pressure washer to save time and have your pavers looking new quickly. However, pressure washers can also damage the pavers – especially if they’re old – so it’s essential to use this technique cautiously.
What is the best thing to clean stone pavers with?
The best thing to clean stone patio pavers with is water and mild dish soap because it’s easy to find them at home, and they won’t damage your stone pavers the way other solutions might.
White vinegar and baking soda are also popular solutions to clean stone pavers.
Should stone pavers be sealed after cleaning?
After your pavers are rinsed or pressure washed, it’s a good idea to use a seal coating treatment to protect your pavers and make maintenance simpler.
A good sealer will ensure that your clean paving stones continue to look good.
The Takeaway: Don’t Neglect Your Stone Pavers
To conclude, learning how to clean stone pavers is an easy process. However, it’s important to follow the steps above to ensure you thoroughly clean your stone pavers without damaging them. If you clean your stone pavers at least once a year, you can prolong their life for years to come.
