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If you’re the owner of a brick exterior home, you may be wondering how to keep it looking its best. Brick is a durable and low-maintenance building material, but it requires some occasional cleaning to remove dirt and grime that can accumulate over time.
Find out how to clean the brick exterior of your home with these tips!
Protect Your Landscaping
Before getting started, protect any nearby plants or landscaping. Cover them with a tarp or plastic sheeting to prevent the cleaner from getting on them.
Once your plants have been protected, start cleaning by using a broom and sweeping the bricks to remove any loose dirt or debris before you start washing with any cleaning products.
Use a Mix of Solution and Water
Next, mix a solution with water in a bucket. Aaron Green, Owner at Essential Home & Garden says, “There are a few different cleaners you can use: for basic cleaning, a mixture of dish soap and water will do the job well. An alternative to dish soap is a 50/50 mixture of vinegar and water in a spray bottle.”
Green continues, “For removing mold or mildew, a mixture of bleach and warm water is best. Add 1 tablespoon of bleach to 1 gallon of warm water and scrub. Remember to keep the bricks wet until you rinse off the bleach mixture.”
For heavy cleaning, “use a muriatic acid mixture. This is an industrial cleaner, so it’s important to wear rubber gloves, safety glasses, and a respirator when using it. First, fill a gallon bucket with warm water, and then pour 1.5 cups of the acid inside (never pour water into acid). Using a brush, dip it in the mixture, and scrub the bricks. Leave it to sit for a few minutes before rinsing it with warm water,” Green recommends.
Work from the top down and be sure to pay extra attention to any stubborn stains or marks. Use extra caution If you are using a ladder to reach high spots.
Rinse Thoroughly and Air Dry
Rinse the bricks thoroughly with a hose or a bucket of clean water to remove all traces of your solution.
Bret Jackson, Professional Cleaner at Letti & Co also recommends using a pressure washer if available. “Use a pressure washer on a low setting and rinse the brick with clean water. Be sure to take extra care when using a pressure washer to avoid damaging the brick,” Jackson explains.
Now, let the brick air dry. Your brick exterior should be left looking clean and brand new!
According to Doug Greene, Owner at Signature Properties “Regular maintenance is key to keeping your brick exterior looking its best. This way you don't have to clean and use chemicals when it gets overwhelmingly dirty. So be sure to sweep the bricks regularly to remove any dirt or debris, and spot-clean any stains as soon as they occur.”
With the right supplies and some elbow grease, you’ll keep the brick exterior of your home looking new while boosting your curb appeal for years to come.
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