How To Clean Fieldstone Patio?

Do you have mold buildup on your fieldstone patio, and do you want to know how to clean it the right way? You’ve come to the right place, for we have researched this question, and we have the answer for you.

Natural stones are a popular material for patios because they are easy to clean. Follow the simple steps below to clean your fieldstone patio:

1. Put two tablespoons of dish soap into a water bucket.
2. Add warm water to the bucket.
3. Use a scrub brush that can fit into your water bucket. Dip the scrub brush into the bucket.
4. Scrub your patio with a brush until it is clean.

Learn about special cleaning techniques for specific types of dirt in the succeeding sections. Additionally, we have information about fieldstones that you might just be interested in.

Read on!

Flagstones Or Fieldstones?

Some people use these two terms interchangeably, while others think they are simply types of stones that can be used for their patio.

Flagstones have an even size and shape. They are generally flat when sold. This is because they are mined from under the earth and are trimmed into specific sizes.

Flagstones are ideal for patios, walkways, and steps.

Fieldstones, on the other hand, are naturally shaped and smoothened by weathering and glacial activity. Because of this, fieldstones have irregular sizes, shapes, and smoothness. They are often used as pond edges, garden focal points, walls, or fireplaces.

The colors of fieldstones and flagstones are also different from each other because of where they come from. Fieldstones come from above the ground, while flagstones come from underground.

Fortunately, you don’t need to identify which one you have when it comes to cleaning because the same cleaning technique can apply to both—and to other natural stones like marble, onyx, travertine, or limestone.

How to clean food stains off your stone patio?

An outdoor barbecue is the favorite outdoor activity of many. However, grease from a barbecue can leave a stain on your natural stone patio.

Follow the steps below to clean food or grease stains from your stone patio:

1. Apply some dish soap directly to the food or grease stain.
2. Scrub the area gently with a soft scrubbing brush.
3. Rinse with water from the garden hose to get rid of the stain and the cleanser.

Removing Tough Food And Grease Stains

1. If dish soap and water cannot remove the food or grease stain on your stone patio, start by rinsing it thoroughly with clean water once more. Rinse your scrubbing brush thoroughly, too.
2. Mix half a cup of ammonia with a gallon of water.
3. Wear waterproof gloves and eye-protection gear before proceeding with the next step.
4. Apply the ammonia solution to the stain and scrub it gently with your scrubbing brush.
5. Rinse the area thoroughly with clean water.

JAMES AUSTIN CO 52 clear ammonia, is available on Amazon through this link.

How to clean mold from your natural stone patio?

Stone surfaces should always be kept dry to prevent mold growth. Stone sealants are also effective in preventing the growth of mold on your stone patio.

1. Sweep away any loose dirt from the surface of your stone patio.
2. Mix a solution of one part bleach and one part water in a shallow basin.
3. Dip your scrubbing brush in the solution and gently scrub the mold from the area. Keep dipping the scrubbing brush in the solution as you scrub more areas.
4. Let the solution sit for about 15 minutes after you finish scrubbing.
5. Rinse the area thoroughly with clean water. Make sure that the water from rinsing does not flow towards any other plants around your patio. Bleach will not only kill the molds on your patio but also the plants, flowers, and other vegetation.
6. Use a natural stone sealant on the stone surface to prevent mold from returning.

How to clean a coffee stain on my stone patio?

A relaxing patio is a common spot for drinking coffee. Thus, it is not uncommon that coffee will spill on your patio from time to time.

1. Use paper towels to absorb as much of the spill as possible. Keep in mind that you should not wipe the area because it will spread the spill. Tap the spill with a paper towel until you remove as much as the paper towels can absorb.
2. Wear protective gear like rubber gloves and eye protection.
3. Mix a ratio of one part glycerin and four parts water in a shallow container like a basin.
4. Dip a cleaning sponge in the solution and gently scrub it on the stain.
5. Rinse the area with clean water.
6. Repeat Steps 3 and 4 until you remove all the stains.

NOW Solutions’ vegetable glycerin is available on Amazon through this link.

How to clean the tea stain on my stone patio?

Similar to coffee, tea is a beverage that can stain your stone patio. Luckily, it is easier to clean tea stains than coffee stains on your stone patio.

Follow the steps below to clean tea stains.

1. Follow the first two steps for cleaning coffee stains on your stone patio (above).
2. Mix some liquid detergent with cold water in a pail.
3. Dip a soft cleaning brush or your scrubbing brush into the solution.
4. Scrub the area with the brush, dipping it in the solution as the brush becomes dirty.
5. Rinse with clean water.
6. Repeat Steps 3 to 5 until you clean off all the stains.

Can you pressure wash natural stone?

Pressure washing your natural stone patio—if done correctly—can be a good cleaning solution.

However, it is important to hire a professional to evaluate the softness/hardness of the stones on your patio first before doing any type of pressure washing. If you do not evaluate the softness/hardness of the stones on your patio, then a pressure washer could end up damaging them.

Additionally, a masonry professional will inspect the grout between the stones.

Even if the stones on your patio are hard enough for pressure washing, observe the following when using a pressure washer:

• Never use a pressure of over 1000 PSI. Consult the manufacturer of your pressure washer to find out the pressure output. Do not use it on your patio if the pressure output is 1000 PSI or more.
• Never use a zero-point tip nozzle on your patio.
• The only nozzle tip that you should use is a fan tip.
• The tip of the pressure washer should be at least a foot away from the surface of your patio.

What is stone soap?

A stone soap is a pH-neutral cleaning product that is ideal for cleaning stone surfaces without harming them. It is a concentrated and heavy-duty soap yet it is biodegradable.

You don’t need to rinse it off after you use it on stone surfaces.

How do you remove black mold from the stone patio?

Black mold on natural stone is the result of exposure to rain. Ideally, stone patios should be dried after rain to prevent the growth of mold. Additionally, applying the right stone sealant can prevent the growth of molds and mildew on your stone patio.

However, if your patio is already infested with black mold, you can follow the steps below to clean it off.

1. Fill a spray bottle with cleaning vinegar.
2. Spray the area where the black mold grows with the cleaning vinegar. Spray sparingly.
3. Let the vinegar sit for a minimum of 15 minutes.
4. Use a soft cleaning brush to scrub the area. This will remove the black mold.
5. Rinse the area with clean water from the garden hose.
6. Repeat Steps 2 to 5 until all black mold in the area has been cleaned.
7. Let the area dry naturally under the sun.
8. Apply one or two layers of stone sealant to prevent black mold from returning.

Heinz Cleaning Vinegar is available on Amazon through this link.

Does soapstone contain asbestos?

Soapstone (not to be confused with stone soap, which is a cleaning material), serpentine, and greenstone may contain asbestos. Thus, exposure to these types of stones can cause asbestosis, mesothelioma, lung, intestinal, and stomach cancers.

Soapstone can be cut and used like marble.

Can you use hydrogen peroxide and baking soda on natural stone?

Diluted hydrogen peroxide and baking soda can be used to get rid of dirt and grease on your natural stone patio. Additionally, they can also kill harmful bacteria that can reside between the stones.

Can I use rubbing alcohol on natural stone?

A good option for disinfecting stone patios and killing small patches of mold is rubbing alcohol with 70% or higher concentration.

Conclusion

There are many ways to clean a stone patio. Some techniques are more effective in addressing specific types of dirt or stains.