How to Clean and Maintain Natural Stone Paving

Natural stone is one of the most durable outdoor paving materials available — but like any natural product, it benefits from occasional care. The good news: with the right approach, stone maintenance is straightforward and infrequent.

Step 1: Seal Your Stone After Laying

The single most important maintenance step is sealing your stone after it’s been laid and cleaned. A quality impregnating sealer penetrates the stone, reducing porosity and making it far more resistant to stains, algae and dirt.

When to seal:

• After laying and jointing (wait at least 4–6 weeks for mortar to fully cure)
• Re-seal every 2–3 years depending on usage

Step 2: Regular Cleaning

For routine cleaning, a stiff brush and warm water is usually all you need. For deeper cleaning:

• General dirt: warm water + mild pH-neutral cleaner + stiff brush
• Moss/algae: specialist stone biocide cleaner — avoid bleach which can damage stone
• Oil stains: specialist stone degreaser, applied quickly after spill
• Pressure washing: effective but use low pressure (max 80–100 bar) to avoid surface damage

Step 3: Jointing and Re-Pointing

Keep joints in good condition — cracked or missing jointing compound allows water ingress and weed growth. Re-point any damaged joints with a quality exterior pointing mortar or flexible jointing compound.

Stone-Specific Tips

• Sandstone: Seal annually in high-traffic areas; brush away leaves promptly in autumn
• Limestone: Avoid acidic cleaners (including vinegar) — use pH-neutral products only
• Granite: Very low maintenance — occasional wash is usually sufficient
• Porcelain: No sealing required; clean with any non-abrasive cleaner

What to Avoid

• Bleach or acidic cleaning products
• High-pressure washing at close range
• Metal scrapers or wire brushes
• Salt or grit-based de-icers in winter

With proper care, DNS Stones natural stone paving will look beautiful for 20–30 years or more. Contact our team for product recommendations.