Cleaning Indian sandstone paving is simple. Use soapy water, or, for tougher stains as well as moss and algae, a bleach mixture. Combine equal parts of bleach and water and pour onto the slabs. Leave for around 30 minutes and wash off with a stiff brush, power washer or a hose to ensure you’ve got rid of all the bleach.
Here are our 5 top tips to keep your Indian sandstone paving clean:
- Regular brushing to remove surface debris
- Scrape weeds with a hoe
- Replace jointing sand to prevent weed growth
- Use acid-free soapy water or a bleach and water mixture
- Use a stiff brush to scrub the surface of the paving
Indian sandstone is one of the most popular landscaping products, and it’s easy to see why. Its warm colours, versatility and eye-catching finish make it a great choice for garden paving. Like all paving, it’s exposed to the elements of the Great British weather, so regular maintenance is essential to keep your Indian sandstone looking at its best.
Can Indian sandstone become discoloured over time?
Most stone can become discoloured over time if it is exposed to footfall and the elements. It’s important to know what to avoid to prevent your Indian sandstone paving slabs becoming discoloured. Cleaning solutions that contain acids could create rusting on the slabs, so stay away from these. If you’re in any doubt at all, get further advice from our technical team by calling 0370 311 2233.
Quick guide: How to clean Indian sandstone slabs with soapy water
Here are six simple steps to cleaning Indian sandstone with warm, soapy water:
- Mix washing-up liquid with warm water in a bucket
- Pour mixture over the Indian sandstone slabs
- Thoroughly clean area with a hard bristled brush
- Rinse with clean water
- Leave for 24 hours
- If the area is still dirty, repeat the process
What tools do I need?
- Bucket
- A brush with hard bristles
- Pressure washer (low setting) or hose pipe
What materials do I need?
- Warm water
- Washing-up liquid
In detail: How to clean Indian sandstone slabs with soapy water
Soapy water is the simplest and safest way to clean Indian sandstone paving. Just make sure you use washing-up liquid or an acid-free soap-based floor cleaning product. The only other tool you’ll need is a stiff brush that will be able to scrape away any build-up of dirt.
Make the mixture
Fill up a bucket with warm water and add some washing-up liquid, swilling it under the tap to create a frothy mixture.
Pour it over the sandstone
Pour the warm soapy water over your Indian sandstone slabs.
Scrub the area using a brush
Use a stiff bristled brush to scrub the surface of the sandstone paving.
Rinse the area
Rinse away the soapy mix using a hosepipe or pressure washer on a low setting.
Leave it to dry
Leave the patio for 24 hours before checking back to see if the area is clean.
Do it again
To get rid of every last bit of dirt, you might need to repeat the process again.
Quick guide: How to clean Indian sandstone slabs with bleach
Here are some simple steps to take to clean Indian sandstone slabs with bleach:
- Remove furniture
- Sweep away loose dirt
- Combine equal parts bleach and water
- Use a heavy-duty broom to clean the paving slabs
- Leave for 15 minutes
- Pour or hose water over the area to rinse away the bleach
- Return your furniture to where it was before
What tools do I need?
- Heavy-duty broom
- Watering can
- Weeding tool
- Bucket
What materials do I need?
In detail: How to clean Indian sandstone slabs with bleach
To remove a more serious build-up of dirt, moss and algae, household bleach will do the trick. Bleach will also remove beer and wine stains, and even burn marks.
Remove furniture
Remove every plant pot or piece of furniture from your paved area. They should be kept far away enough to avoid contact with the bleach, which could affect the colour. If these items are too heavy to move, cover them with a plastic sheet.
Sweep away any loose dirt
Using a garden brush, sweep away leaves and dirt, and pull out any weeds. You can leave smaller weeds in place as the bleach will kill them off.
Add water
Pour clean water into the paving slabs, either from a watering can or a hosepipe. At this point, you could use your brush to get rid of any dirt in the cracks between the slabs. Make sure you get right into the corners – don’t neglect any space.
Add bleach
Mix bleach with water in a bucket, at an equal ratio. Make as much as you need for the whole area.
Brush the area thoroughly
After you’ve drenched the area in the bleach solution, work it into the Indian sandstone slabs with a brush, making sure to get right into the corners and gaps. Then leave it to soak for 15 minutes.
Rinse off the solution with water
Use a watering can to rinse away the solution. Your paving should now look brighter and fresher – any moss, weeds and algae should have been removed. The last thing you need to do is put back your furniture and plant pots.
Quick guide: How to clean Indian sandstone slabs with a pressure washer
Washing Indian sandstone slabs with a pressure washer is easy – just follow these steps:
- Remove furniture from your slabs
- Sweep the area clean
- Connect your power washer with a tap and turn on
- Blast your paving slabs with water
- Turn off the tap and disconnect the hose
- Return your furniture
What tools do I need?
What materials do I need?
In detail: How to clean Indian sandstone slabs with a pressure washer
A power washer is a great tool for cleaning paving slabs. One of the reasons for being one of the most popular methods is it takes such little effort to achieve a thorough clean. Here’s how to clean Indian sandstone paving slabs with a pressure washer.
Sweep the area
Use a brush to sweep away any loose dirt, and move nearby items out of the way.
Set up the power washer
Find the right setting so you don’t cause any unnecessary damage. A low-pressure setting is recommended.
Carry out a pressure test
Check the force of the water isn’t too high by testing the pressure on one specific area.
Take care while spraying
Avoid spraying directly onto the slabs – it could damage them. Move your pressure washer diagonally across the slabs, rather than parallel to the joints.
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