Many people like to have ornamental rocks in their garden, be it boulders, stone paths or fine marble rubble. Cleaning larger items isn't difficult, but with a little work you can take care of the fine gravel as well in case it starts to look dirty or untidy.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Large Boulders
From time to time the large ornamental rocks become too dirty to be pleasing to the eye. This could be the situation you face after a flood or that you even need to take into account when nearby construction works involve moving large amounts of earth or generating a lot of mud. Over time, mosses and lichens grow on the stone and it is not uncommon for people to want to get rid of them.
Step 1. Use a broom to sweep away any uncrusted dirt
Step 2. Use a garden hose to rinse off the mud
Step 3. If desired, remove algae and moss by scrubbing the surface with a brush and vinegar
Step 4. Rinse the stones with the garden hose
Method 2 of 3: Lose and Pavings
Sometimes these decorative stones get very dirty, but their cleaning is pretty simple.
Step 1. Sweep the surface with a stiff bristled broom or scrub brush
Work energetically with a horizontal motion.
Step 2. Scrub away the algae and moss using the broom and some vinegar
Step 3. Rinse the stones with the garden hose on which you have attached a sprayer which generates a concentrated and high pressure flow
Method 3 of 3: Crushed stone
Cleaning this material is the most complex. White gravel becomes really unpleasant to the eye when it is dirty and full of residues; this job takes a lot of effort, but if you want flawless crushed stone, you can't get away from it.
Step 1. Use a garden blower to remove as much light residue as possible
Step 2. Dig a hole to make sure there is an insulation or plastic sheet under the gravel
Step 3. First, try to wash the crushed stone with the garden hose
Do not apply any sprayers and let the flow of water wash away the dirt; this method is more effective if the insulating or plastic sheet is present.
Step 4. If the first wash did not bring the results you were hoping for, transfer the gravel to a wheelbarrow or buckets using a shovel
You have to process small sections at a time, filling the containers no more than half of their capacity.
Step 5. Add the water to the container with the gravel
If the crushed stone is stained, wash it for the first time by pouring a mixture of one part bleach and two parts water until it is submerged.
Step 6. Use a small shovel, gardening trowel or other sturdy tool to mix the pebbles thoroughly, letting the soil and debris come to the surface
Step 7. Throw away the water while retaining the gravel
If you have decided to use diluted bleach, don't throw the liquid on the greenery.
Step 8. Add more water to the wheelbarrow, mix the contents and pour the liquid by repeating the whole process until the water becomes clear and residue-free
Step 9. Rinse the entire section of insulation or plastic sheet under the stones you just washed and put the gravel back in place
Step 10. Continue like this until all the crushed stone is clean
Advice
- After washing the smaller rocks in a tub, you should place them in another container or on a towel until you have washed all of them and then arrange them again.
- Consider replacing crushed stone with natural products, such as dried pine needles or wood chips.
- Although its absence can promote weed formation, removing the plastic sheet or protective fabric from under the rocks allows the debris and dust to settle deep in the soil and decompose.
- It is difficult to remove rust stains from stones; replacement is certainly the simplest solution.
- Consider removing a small surface area of crushed stone and replacing it with a new layer.
- Sometimes, slates or stained paving stones can simply be turned clean side up.
Warnings
- Never mix vinegar with bleach, as they release toxic gases.
- Avoid splashing clothes or greenery with the bleach solution, you will stain the former and kill the latter.
- Wet floors and slates can be slippery.
- Do not overfill the wash containers to avoid injuring your back when you empty them.
