As much as Indian Sandstone paving brings elegance to your outdoor spaces, such as patios, walkways, and garden retreats, its porous nature makes it prone to algae, grime, moss, and stains. However, it can stay as beautiful as the day it was laid with the correct way of cleaning and caring.
In this guide, you will learn about the best practices and professional techniques on how to clean sandstone paving slabs without damaging them and tips on how to make them look brand new again.
Why Regular Cleaning of the Sandstone Matters?
Sandstones are sedimentary rocks, and they are very porous in nature. They are vulnerable to moss, algae, grease, and stains. If left unchecked and uncleaned:
- The surface becomes slippery and unsafe to walk on.
- The stone colours get dull, and you can lose the texture.
- The structure of the sandstones may degrade due to the freeze-thaw cycles.
By cleaning sandstone paving regularly and making a routine, you can not only revive the beauty of the sandstone but also preserve its life. Try to schedule washing the sandstones 3 to 4 times annually. Give extra care to the stones paved in the shaded or damp areas of your outdoor space.
Cleaning Sandstone Paving
Cleaning of the Indian Sandstone paving depends on the level of stains. If there is only small and removable debris on your paving area, a sweep or rinse might be enough, as compared to a tough stain that has been sitting there for months, needing pressure washing. We will go from mild stains to more stubborn ones below:
Start with Gentle Cleaning Methods
We recommend you to be gentle with your natural stone paving. If there are no harsh or stubborn stains, you can use methods like:
Dry Sweeping
If there is dirt and debris in your outdoor paving slabs, begin by gently removing the loose dirt and debris using a soft-bristled broom. This method stops grit abrasion.
Soapy Water
To remove the surface dirt safely, mix warm water with a neutral cleaner or a mild liquid soap. Gently scrub the surface with a soft-bristle brush and rinse with water.
Treat Stubborn Algae and Moss
It is very common to have surface algae and green stains in the damp cities of the UK. No need to worry about sandstone cleaning. You can always use dedicated stone cleaners. Read the instructions before use. Apply the product, wait, and then rinse the paving area.
Avoid using bleaches and other home remedies to clean Indian sandstone paving, as they can cause discolouration and damage to your natural sandstone paving. You must be even more careful if you have natural sandstones like Kandla Grey pavement.
If the algae or lichen are heavy, use a sodium hypochlorite blend with the recommendation of an expert. Brush the product on the surface gently, wait, and then rinse. Repeat the process until you have a clean Indian stone paving in your outdoor space.
Remove Oil, Rust, and Organic Stains
You may be using your outdoor area for an outdoor kitchen or a BBQ zone, meaning that area is more prone to grease, rust, and leaf stains. That is why Indian sandstone cleaning is important.
- Grease or Oil: For oil or grease stains, use a degreasing cleaner, diluting 1 part to 20 parts water, scrub and rinse the area.
- Rust Marks: For rust, use our best sandstone cleaner, LTP Rust Stain Remover, for rust removal or builder-grade acids. Experts recommend testing first on a hidden spot of your paving area.
- Leaf Stains: If you leave leaf debris on your outdoor paving for long, it can stain it. Treat the slabs early or use an Indian sandstone cleaner specially designed for the purpose.
Power Washing Sandstone
How to clean sandstone paving stains if they have been left for a long time? You can clean your Indian Sandstone paving slabs with power washing and rejuvenate them; however, you need to be very meticulous. Your power wash must be done at low pressure with a maximum 30-degree nozzle. If you use higher pressure, you can cite the risk of surface etching.
Start gently in a smaller area that is not visible or in a shaded region, and keep the nozzle at a safe distance from yourself. Use a sweeping motion and do not point the jet at the joints of your paving slabs.
Why Some Cleaners Do More Harm Than Good?
The answer is simple: do not use a cleaner if it is not meant to be used for a specific slab or stain.
- Natural Acids: We never recommend you to use vinegar, lemon juice, or other acids as they etch the sandstone surface and strip your sealant.
- Bleach: It can ruin the natural colour of your natural sandstone paving and cause light patches. It destroys the natural integrity of your sandstone.
- Abrasive Scrubbing: Scrubbing your sandstones harshly can leave scratches. We recommend using light and gentle brushes only.
Royale Stones has some of the best solutions for cleaning Indian sandstones, whether your paving has accumulated algae, stains, or rust.
Seal After Cleaning
You can preserve the natural beauty and integrity of your sandstone by applying a penetrating or impregnating sealer after every 2 to 4 years, depending on the exposure of your slab to the weather conditions and the sun.
After applying your sealer, wait until it is fully dry so that you can prevent it from sealing in contaminants.
Benefits of Sealing Indian Sandstones
- Enhances the durability of the paving slabs.
- Cleaning them is much easier than if they are not sealed.
- Minimizes the pace of colour fading from weathering.
Maintenance Tips
It is very important that you do regular maintenance of your outdoor sandstone slabs between the bi-annual or annual deep cleans.
- Sweep your space and rinse weekly.
- Trim your overhanging plants and clean the gutters to avoid moss and algae growth.
- Remove the stains, such as bird droppings or leaf stains, as soon as you can to avoid permanent staining.
- Avoid DIY weed control solutions, as you can damage your natural stones permanently.
Looking to coordinate your hardscape zones? Royale Stones, UK demonstrates using natural stone paving in your patio as an outdoor decor scheme here: Natural Stone Paving That Will Improve Your Outdoor Patio.
Conclusion
By cleaning your outdoor sandstone paving, you enhance the beauty, extend the lifespan, and ensure the safety of your slabs altogether. Stick with mild natural sandstone cleaners, soft brushes, low-pressure wash, and regular sealing. Avoid DIY acidic cleaning like bleach or vinegar, as it can damage your paving stones permanently.
For a seamless design flow between your indoor and outdoor, explore the premium sandstone paving from Royale Stones. We provide the best yet affordable Indian sandstone paving slabs to complete your patio project with satisfaction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the best cleaner for sandstone pavers?
A: Use our LTP Water Based Exterior Stone Sealer for Natural Stone Slabs pH-neutral patio cleaner specifically designed for natural stones. Avoid using harsh or acidic chemicals.
Q: What happens when you put vinegar on sandstone?
A: It will etch the stone, causing irreversible damage to your sandstone. As vinegar is acidic, it can damage and dull the finish of the natural Indian sandstone paving.
Q: Is it okay to pressure wash sandstone?
A: Yes, but do it wth caution. Lower the pressure washer to low pressure using a wide-angled nozzle. Avoid pointing directly at yourself or the joints.
Q: How to remove green stains from sandstone?
A: Remove Green stains by using Royale Stones’ LTP BLACKSPOT & ALGAE REMOVER, designed for natural stones. Scrub gently, wait, and rinse the paving slabs thoroughly.
Q: Does bleach damage sandstone paving?
A: Yes. Cleaning Indian sandstone with bleach is a bad idea. Bleach can damage the sandstone’s surface, alter its colour, and affect the nearby green belt. Use sandstone-safe cleaners only.