Cleaning and Maintenance FAQs

FAQs — Cleaning

Can I use a patio cleaner on my natural stone?

The content of natural stone can sometimes react with certain types of chemical cleaner so it’s always best to check with one of our sales advisors before you use a patio cleaner. Always test cleaners on a small area before full application and never use an acid based cleaner on limestone or basalt paving – the acid will react with the stone and cause permanent damage.

What’s the best way to remove organic marks or general dirt and grime from my natural stone paving?

For general dirt or organic marks like grass stains, mud etc. we recommend Lithofin Outdoor Cleaner. Just dilute, apply and jet-wash off as per the instructions on the bottle. When cleaning your stone, you will find that a jet-wash (possibly in conjunction with a chemical cleaning agent, like Lithofin Outdoor Cleaner) will give the best results. This is because dirt particles enter the pores of the stone and the mechanical action of the jet-wash is needed to lift them out – just don’t hold the jet-wash too close to the surface of the stone otherwise you may cause etch marks. About 600mm away is perfect.

How can I remove cement or stubborn marks from my natural stone paving?

For stubborn marks or cement based stains, Lithofin Builders’ Clean is a better choice, although this is acid based so cannot be used on limestone or basalt products. Cement is notoriously difficult to remove once it’s dry since it becomes engrained in the pores of the stone, so it’s much better to clean any spills as they happen during installation or pointing with clean water and a sponge. When cleaning your stone, you will find that a jet-wash (possibly in conjunction with a chemical cleaning agent, like Lithofin Builders’ Clean) will give the best results. This is because dirt particles enter the pores of the stone and the mechanical action of the jet-wash is needed to lift them out – just don’t hold the jet-wash too close to the surface of the stone otherwise you may cause etch marks. About 600mm away is perfect.

My stone is sealed but the surface is marked with footprints. I’ve hosed down the stone but they won’t come off – why?

Sealing your stone will help to protect against permanent stains and will make cleaning much easier in comparison to unsealed stone, however it will not stop marks from appearing or make the stone ‘self-cleaning’. Dry Treat is an impregnator, meaning that it coats the particles of the stone to around 6mm under the surface and leaves the pores of the stone open. Lesser quality sealants coat the entire surface of the slab like a varnish. This surface coat often causes an unsightly sheen and can wear away very quickly, especially in areas that get a lot of foot traffic. This is what makes Dry Treat such a long lasting and cost effective solution. The fact that the pores remain open means that mud from animal prints or rubber from shoe soles can become engrained in the pores of the stone and will need to be jet-washed to lift the dirt particles out. On pale and porous products in particular, the first couple of marks on the stone will stand out since the product is brand new and completely clean. Rather than rushing to jet-wash the stone, we advise that you allow it to weather in a little bit. Over a period of time exposed to the elements the marks will become less noticeable and the odd footprint or mark will not stand out. You can then begin a regular cleaning regime which involves jet-washing the stone, possibly in conjunction with a chemical cleaning agent, once or twice a year.