There's nothing as mesmerising as bright decorative stones shining in your outdoors on a happy summer day!
The summer season is almost here in the United Kingdom. Yes, it is that time of year when your garden stones lose their shine and elegance due to dirt, temperature, and humidity, especially if you have black ice chippings or white ice chipping in your outdoors. We understand that it is hard to keep your decorative stones clean and shiny. Well, it can be a challenge for sure, but that doesn't mean that it is impossible.
And here in this article, we have compiled a list of methods that help you clean the gravel, looking fresh all summer long.
Understanding the Benefits of Decorative Stones
Along with durability, landscaping gravels offer numerous other benefits. Before learning about the techniques for cleaning gravel stones, let us first understand the advantages of decorative gravel. Why do people use decorative aggregates in their outdoor space? Well, decorative aggregates offer many advantages for your place, including:
Elegance
One of the major advantages of using decorative gravel is the elegance it offers. They can create a clean and aesthetic appeal in every outdoor place.
Eliminate Weeds
Using garden gravel for landscaping can tackle even the growing weeds in your outdoor space. With their weed-resistant properties, the stones control the growth of invasive plants, keeping your space smooth.
Sustainable
Unlike traditional concrete flooring, landscape gravels offer drainage properties. Thus, they allow water to drain, contributing to the underground water level.
How to Clean Coloured Stones for Garden
Let's explore the guide about how to clean coloured stones for the garden.
Start with removing extra debris
There is a high chance of debris and leaves accumulating in outdoor spaces. To clean the garden gravel, remove extra debris from the stones. You can use a rake or broom to clean the debris, but ensure it is not very hard on the surface.
Next, rinse the gravel thoroughly with water
For the next step, sprinkle water on the stones. You can also use an adjustable spray nozzle for this purpose. The clean water will help you remove loose dirt or dust. If you are planning to do this with running water, it is better to avoid the plan as it might displace the gravel.
Prepare effective DIY cleaning solutions
Now comes the major step of gravel cleaning: applying a DIY cleaning solution. You should opt for a DIY cleaning solution instead of one available on the market, as cleaning agents are more effective and natural.
How to prepare a DIY cleaning solution?
To prepare a DIY gravel cleaner at home, follow these simple steps.
- Mix equal parts of white vinegar with tap water in a bucket.
- Alternatively, you can also use equal lemon juice with vinegar.
However, to increase the effectiveness of these DIY cleaners, you can add a few drops of mild detergent.
Cleaning stone gravel
Now, when you have prepared an effective gravel-cleaning solution, all you need to do is apply the same to the gravel. Here are the steps you need to follow:
- Spray the cleaning solutions on the floor with a nozzle.
- Let the solution sit on the surface for a while. If extreme dirt has accumulated, let the surface soak overnight.
- The next morning, scrub the gravel surface with a stiff brush. In case of stubborn dirt, ensure that you reach that area vigorously.
Another thorough rinse and drain
Once you have applied the cleaning solution to the surface, give it a final rinse. You can simply run water on the surface, which will remove all the dirt and leftover cleaning solution from the floor. Once you are done rinsing, remove the excess water from the stones. For this process, you can place a large sieve on the wet gravel. Scoop up a small section and remove the excess water.
Dry the gravel completely
Now, let the gravel dry completely before bringing it back to the usage area. You can either restore the gravel to its old design or simply plan a new decoration. Usually, it takes between a few hours to a complete day to dry the gravel completely. But be patient since the gravel needs to dry completely to restore its pristine shine.
Revamp and decorate
Once done with cleaning and drying the gravel. You can give your creative ideas a life. Use the decorative aggregates the way you want. Enhance the overall appeal by using your favourite furniture. Here are a few ways of revamping your garden using landscaping stones:
- Creating colourful pathways.
- Building durable and aesthetic driveways in 2024.
- Designing black garden stones for planters.
Which is the Best Time of Year to Clean Gravel?
If you are planning to clean gravel, it is essential to find the best time of year to do so. Early summer or late spring are ideal times for cleaning decorative gravel. It is also the time when most households revamp their outdoors.
Brisks: Your Trusted Partner for Decorative Aggregates
Are you planning to revamp your outdoor space? What is still stopping you? If it's the stress of finding premium quality decorative aggregates at an affordable price, worry less. Your answer stands with Brisks. Brisks is the leading supplier of landscaping stones and garden furniture across the UK. Plus, the best point is that you can even order sample aggregate to double-check the quality to ensure a worthy investment.
Wrapping Up
In conclusion, we know that maintaining the pristine shine of the decorative stone can be daunting but definitely not impossible. With an affordable DIY cleaning solution and appropriate tools and techniques, you can achieve visible results. The step-by-step stone cleaning guide mentioned above will help you restore the brightness of your gravel stones. Remember, regular cleaning not only helps you to bring back the pristine shine but also enhances the longevity of the stones. What's still stopping you from taking your first DIY approach to cleaning the gravel stone? Embrace it with excitement and confidence.