From walkways to fireplaces, brick and stone creates a classic look indoors and out. Even though they’re durable materials, they require gentle cleaning to maintain their appearance. Learn why properly cleaning brick and stone is important to the structure and your health and safety.

Why it’s Important to Maintain Brick and Stone Indoors and Out

Whether you have a natural stone fireplace indoors or a brick walkway and patio outside, it can add timeless design and appeal to your home. While these materials are designed to be more durable than other options, they’re still prone to deterioration over time, especially if not maintained properly.

Outdoor brick, stone, and other building materials are more likely to build up dirt, debris, and stains from organic material. Between the weather, wildlife, and natural growth of fungi and algae, these surfaces require regular cleaning to maintain their beauty and durability.

Indoors, these same materials may not be open to the elements, but they can still trap everyday dirt and debris, especially if they’re part of a fireplace or in a high-traffic area. Plus, since it’s indoors, more care is required to help keep your home free of health and safety hazards.

Don’t let their sturdy exteriors fool you. These materials benefit from a gentle cleaning approach.

Cleaning Brick and Stone

Given their rugged appeal, many homeowners don’t often think about keeping their brick and stone surfaces clean. However, if these areas go too long without proper maintenance, their ruggedness can crumble, leaving you with more of a mess. Here are some general tips to keep in mind when it comes to caring for brick and stone surfaces.

1. Immediately address spills to help prevent stains from setting.
2. Cleaning frequency depends on usage. If you regularly light a fire, soot and creosote can buildup and become a hazard. Regular cleaning helps remove harmful debris inside and out of a fireplace.
3. Familiarize yourself with the type of brick or stone you have and the best solutions for cleaning. Always test a small, inconspicuous area to ensure no discoloration.
4. Regularly remove loose dust, dirt, and debris with a broom, cloth, or vacuum.
5. Use a gentle cleaner to remove embedded dirt without harsh chemicals that can damage the surface. Make sure to thoroughly rinse any solution to not leave residue behind.
6. Pressure wash outdoor surfaces with caution to avoid damage.
7. Consider sealing natural stone to protect against stains and moisture damage.
8. Inspect surfaces for chips, cracks, or other signs of damage and repair promptly.

By using gentle cleaning techniques, you can safely maintain your brick and stone surfaces. If you’re still unsure of the best way to care for these features, there’s a team ready to help.

Contact JDog Carpet Cleaning & Floor Care for Soft Power Washing

One of the safest, most gentle way to clean brick and stone is by soft power washing. Our method utilizes an environmentally safe solution to clean a range of surfaces around your home. Too much pressure can cause stone to chip and brick to crack. JDog’s team is trained in soft washing methods that help eliminate this risk. Call 844-GET-JDOG to schedule a time to clean the brick, stone, block, and concrete surfaces around your home in a safe, efficient way.