How to Clean Outdoor Stone with Wet & Forget
A natural stone patio is a beautiful addition to your outdoor living area. Any outdoor surface that is textured, permeable, porous, or stays continually wet is susceptible to ugly moss, mold, mildew, and algae growth. If you’re wondering how to clean outdoor stone, we’ve got you covered.
What types of natural stones are used to build patios and outdoor living spaces?
Many natural stones are sold for outdoor use, including bluestone, limestone, travertine, and slate.
Bluestone
Bluestone has a unique look and texture. It’s very durable and will stand up to the weather year-round.
Popular uses for bluestone pavers include patios, pool surrounds, and garden walkways. This stone’s blue-grey coloring makes it a favorite of homeowners.
Bluestone is offering in a variety of shapes, shades, and finishes. The three most popular types of bluestone are:
Natural Cleft Bluestone
This type of bluestone is textured with various irregularities. It’s the most inexpensive option and comes in multiple colors, including blues, grays, and orange tones.
Thermal Bluestone
This type of bluestone is formed deep in the earth. The stone undergoes a thermal process at the manufacturer, which removes the rough top layer to reveal a level surface.
Irregular Bluestone
Irregular bluestone is another popular choice for outdoor hardscape projects. The stone isn’t cut to a specific size or thickness, which makes this stone economical.
The stone’s varied shapes and edges allow a homeowner to create a space that is uniquely theirs.
Slate
Slate pavers work for almost any type of outdoor design, including:
- Landscaping
- Patios
- Walkways
Slate pavers will stand up to whatever Mother Nature dishes out. They are sold in a variety of colors and designs. Slate pavers are often used for less traditional projects, including:
- Divided lines between landscape plants
- Retaining walls
- As a gardening base for plants in raised beds
Travertine
Travertine pavers are sections of natural stone that are excellent for use as patio surfaces and pool surrounds. This type of paver is available in various colors, including ivory, silver, light brown, and tan.
The numerous benefits of travertine include:
- Resistance to discoloration
- Extremely durable
- Easy to care for
- Cool underfoot
- Provides a comfortable, non-slip surface
What stone types are more susceptible to unsightly growths like moss, mold, mildew, and algae?
If your outdoor surfaces are textured, permeable, porous, or continually damp, they are susceptible to ugly moss, mold, mildew, and algae growth.
Permeable paving materials like gravel, loose stones, and plastic grid systems are eco-friendly, allowing water to flow freely through the material.
New types of concrete and asphalt called ‘permeable concrete’ and ‘permeable asphalt ‘ also allow water to move through the material.
These products are used for paved parking surfaces in areas where environmental regulations limit car parking.
If you live in an area that receives plenty of rain year-round, you may see growth develop on outdoor surfaces no matter what type of hardscape material you have.
What type of stones are the most durable?
Home improvement expert, Bob Vila, says, “For patio installations, experts recommend either stone or concrete pavers, which, due to their higher density, may be expected to last longer and undergo less color fading than other paver types.”
Concrete pavers are more affordable than stone and more durable than asphalt. Concrete pavers are a budget-friendly and attractive option for any outdoor room.
Bonus: They are sold in sections, so they are easy for home DIYers to move, install, and replace.
Which Wet & Forget product is best to use to clean stone patio pavers?
Wet & Forget Xtreme Reach™ Hose End makes removing growth from your patio or outdoor living areas simple and easy!
How do you attach Wet & Forget Xtreme Reach™ Hose End to a garden hose?
- The container attaches directly to your garden hose. Turn the dial to the ‘OFF’ position before connecting the garden hose.
- Attach the garden hose. Turn on the water spigot.
- Then, turn the black dial to the ‘WATER’ position to rinse nearby landscape plants with water.
- Turn the dial to the ‘ON’ position. This allows the product to mix with water.
- Apply the product to affected areas.
- Turn the dial back to the ‘WATER’ position to rinse product overspray from nearby landscape plants. That’s it!
The best time to apply Wet & Forget Xtreme Reach™ Hose End is when outdoor temperatures are above 55° F on a windless and overcast day.
What Wet & Forget product is best to use to clean a stone retaining wall?
Wet & Forget Outdoor Concentrate removes ugly stains and growths from your retaining wall. No tedious scrubbing or power washing required!
Mix Wet & Forget Outdoor Concentrate in a garden pump-up sprayer in a ratio of 5 parts water to 1 part Wet & Forget. Spray on affected outdoor surfaces.
Wet & Forget Outdoor works with the wind and rain to clean outdoor surfaces over time.
Depending on the severity of the growth, results may take a few weeks and up to a few months.
Bonus tips: When choosing natural stone, consider the style and color of your home and landscape. Since the patio is an extension of your home, it should blend with the surroundings.
