Bluestone Cleaning
How to clean Blue Stone?
Blue stone is a popular natural material used in patios, walkways, and indoor flooring due to its rich, earthy color and durable composition. But like all natural stones, blue stone requires proper maintenance to retain its beauty and longevity. In this blog, we’ll cover the essentials of blue stone cleaning, from routine maintenance to deep cleaning and sealing.
What is Blue Stone?
Blue stone is a type of sandstone or limestone (depending on the region) known for its blue-gray hue. It’s very popular in the United States and is used in landscaping for its aesthetic appeal and resilience. Like many most other types of Sandstone, Blue stone is porous and can absorb dirt, grime, and moisture if not properly maintained.
Why Regular Cleaning is Important
Blue stone can accumulate:
- Moss, algae, and mildew in damp or shaded areas
- Dirt and debris from foot traffic
- Stains from lichen pots and leaves
Cleaning blue stone regularly helps preserve its color, prevents surface damage, and extends its life.
How to Remove Black stains from Bluestone and sandstone
Have you recently laid an Indian Sandstone patio, only to find black stains taking over? You're not alone. These stubborn marks are one of the most common complaints we hear from customers—and the good news is, there's a solution.
What is the black staining on my patio ?
Those dark marks on your paving slabs are black lichen. Originating from tree spores, they settle onto the porous surface of bluestone and begin feeding on the minerals within the stone. Over time, they form tough, black lichen spots that are impossible to remove with the pressure washer. In fact, pressure washing makes the staining worse.
Why Pressure Washing Won’t Work on Bluestone
Bluestone is highly porous and pressure washing at high PSI (especially over 1800 PSI) can cause the surface to delaminate. This makes the stone even more absorbent and prone to future organic growth, not to mention black lichen spots can grow quicker. Eventually all the color is lost in the stone, and you'll be regretting buying this sandstone for your home.
The Smart Solution: Patio Black Spot Remover
Instead of blasting your patio and making it worse, use a specialist treatment designed to target lichen directly. Patio Black Spot Remover is formulated to break down black lichen, restore the natural colour of sandstone, and tackle green algae at the same time.
Here’s how it works:
- Apply the remover generously using a pump-up garden sprayer (5-7 litre).
- Wait 15 minutes – you’ll already see the green algae fading fast.
- Leave for up to 2 hours to allow the deep-cleaning formula to penetrate and lift the black lichen.
- Rinse away with a gentle wash—no harsh jetting needed.
- Retreat any stubborn spots – Older surfaces can require retreating
Long-Term Protection from staining on patios
Once you’ve restored your patio, the key to keeping it looking new is prevention. Apply Patio Black Spot Preventer annually. This “spray and leave” treatment stops new spores from settling and keeps algae growth at bay, so your patio stays fresh with minimal effort.
