The appeal for stone statuary has been passed down since ancient times. Stone is favored because of its durability and ability to stand out as an exciting focal point for a setting. Stone statues, however, are exposed to the elements and therefore need to be cleaned occasionally. This cleaning will also help to preserve the statue. The natural growth of grimes, mosses, and other growths cover the statues, and they can penetrate the statue causing discoloration. It is important to clean regularly to keep your statues looking beautiful.
To clean a cast stone statue, you should use the least damaging solution possible. This is water. Spray liberally over the statue so any loose grime will be washed away. It is best to saturate the statue with water. You can now scrub the statue with a soft and clean brush. Gently scrub away the grime and growth that has attached to the statue. You should begin at the bottom of the statue, working upwards, using circular motions as you scrub over the stone.
As you finish one section, you should rinse the statue immediately. This is important because it prevents the statue from streaking. A simple garden hose is fine for this. You can now clean the garden statue with a neutral pH detergent. You should combine two tablespoons of detergent per one gallon of water. Mix this in a bucket. You should rinse your pump sprayer and refill it with the pH detergent. This should be sprayed over the whole statue. Now, use the same soft brush and scrub the statue like before. Scrub away any lingering attached grime. Pay special attention to the more detailed parts of the statue where it is easy for grime to build up.
Once the grime has been removed, immediately rinse the statue with fresh water. This is important to avoid streaking from the cleaning and scrubbing. The statue should be left to air dry. It is usually a good idea to wash your product right after installation. Typically during installation, depending on the type of statue, the main stains are dirt and mortar. Be careful if using an acid cleaner because it can cause corrosion. The key to cleaning your statue is to know what the stain is, and then you can figure out how to clean it. It is always recommended to test a small area of the cast stone, preferably a part that is hard to see, to ensure the cleaner will maintain the appearance of the stone. Depending on how your piece was shipped, the packing materials can cause stains on your feature. Wood packaging stains can be easily removed.
It is recommended never to power wash your cast stone pieces. These can cause severe damage to the fountain. Also, avoid metal brushes, which can cause scars on your piece. You will need a pump sprayer, a soft clean brush, a garden hose, a bucket, the proper cleaning solution, and something to stir the solution with. These helpful steps should keep your cast stone items in perfect condition!