Natural stone provides a particular attraction in constructions, both indoors and outdoors, whether they are terraces, sidewalks, or porches, among other spaces. However, due to a large number of pores, stone surfaces can be very sensitive to daily stains, so it is important to know how to clean porous stones correctly.
If you have just installed natural stone in your home, you must be careful and protect it from stains, using waterproofing products designed to prevent the accumulation of moisture and possible stains. Now, if the stone surface is already stained, then it is best to follow these tips and tricks to clean natural stone and preserve it from the wear and tear of time.
Clean Surface Stains On Porous Stone
There are everyday products that can be used effectively to clean natural stones. In addition, some of them are ecological and do not damage the plantations that may be around the stone surface, especially if it is a garden.
Sodium bicarbonate is the product par excellence for cleaning different objects and places in your home, as it is cheap, natural, and offers optimal stone finishes. Therefore, you can wet the stone with tap water and sprinkle some baking soda on a brush to rub the stain. At the end, you just have to rinse with water. Also, you can dilute the equivalent of a cup of soda crystals in a liter of hot water and use a brush to scrub the stone.
Another option is black soap, which is a mild product, very useful for routine maintenance of natural stone. In this sense, you can dilute two tablespoons of black soap in a bucket of water and then use a sponge to clean the porous stone. If you do not have this product, it is also possible to use liquid dishwashing soap to degrease and clean natural stone. In this case, you just have to dilute a little soap in half a liter of water.
Tricks To Remove Stubborn Stains On Porous Stone
There are products that are abrasive but soft at the same time. This is the case with clay stone, which is commonly sold in paste form and should be spread over the surface to dry for a few minutes to help loosen the embedded dirt.
If you are looking for a more aggressive solution, you can use a mixture of oil and lemon, recommended only when the natural stone is clogged with limestone residue, as it could otherwise stain the surface of the lemon dries.
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Therefore, it is most appropriate to use only a couple of drops diluted in oil and rinse quickly after applying. For greater efficiency, there are professional products dedicated to cleaning natural stones, but their cost may be higher compared to home products.
What Not To Do When Cleaning Porous Stone
It is necessary to avoid all acid products, such as vinegar, unless it is a very difficult stain and, in this case, you should only use a small amount of this product and apply it exclusively to the stain. The problem with acid products is that they could discolor if they accidentally dry on natural stone. Also, you have to avoid bleach and tile cleaners.
Common Stains On Exterior Porous Stone
The above tips are effective for cleaning porous stone in most cases, even for those wondering how to clean artificial stone. However, natural stone on external surfaces may require a more specific treatment depending on the type of stain. In this sense, we invite you to review this list with the most common stains and the most recommended ways to remove them.
1. Decaying Leaves And Plants
There are bad times of the year for outdoor stones, especially in autumn when the dead leaves fall and mold with the rain and humidity in general. In this case, it is best to use grated Marseille soap or powdered detergent to create a paste, apply and leave for an hour. Then you can rub with a brush and rinse with plenty of water.
2. Fungus And Mold
Cleaning white or light-colored porous stone is very important to avoid moss and lichen stains. In this sense, if you are wondering how to clean the verdigris from natural stone, you can use the previous solution, but if the stains are not removed, then you have to purchase a chemical defoamer that allows you to exterminate mold more effectively.
3. Stool
There are a large number of crawling and flying animals that relieve themselves on the natural stone surface. In this case, if you are wondering how to clean the exterior porous stone of animal feces, it is necessary to attack the stain immediately using a paper towel. In this way, it only remains to pass a damp sponge to remove the residue. If the excrement stain is already dry, then you have to rub it with a damp brush dipped in non-corrosive powdered detergent.
4. Rust
In this case, you can use the excrement stain solution, but if you can’t get rid of the corroded metal, then it’s best to buy a rust remover product or natural stone cleaner, which usually comes in liquid form. However, it is necessary to use a small amount and rinse quickly to avoid surface damage.
5. Tea, Soda, Coffee, Spirits, And Other Sugary Drinks
These stains are very common on floors but are much more damaging on porous surfaces. Therefore, if you are wondering how to clean natural stone from stains from drinks and liquids, then you should know that the most appropriate thing is to remove the stain with a damp sponge or by quickly dispersing the substance with a pressure washer. If the stain has dried too much, then you can use a brush moistened with liquid dishwashing soap or even glycerin diluted in water.
In conclusion, we can mention that bluestone, granite, sandstone or any other type of porous stone can bring a natural look and a certain elegance to homes. However, their surfaces degrade over time due to staining. Therefore, it is best to do a periodic cleaning for greater durability.
