What’s the best way to clean a natural stone patio?
If your backyard patio is made from flagstone, travertine, Saltillo, slate or another natural material, you probably paid plenty for it. Protect your investment by caring for your patio. It’s fairly quick and simple to keep these patio surfaces looking like new—even if they’re exposed to Arizona’s punishing sun. First step: Have your patio sealed. It’s easier to maintain a sealed patio than an unsealed one because the seal keeps out dirt and helps prevent fading. You can seal your patio yourself or hire a pro to do it. Reseal it every year. Between sealings: 1 Cover frequently traveled areas of the patio with no-slip mats to prevent wear and tear. 2. Keep metal furniture off of the patio. Rust stains from metal chairs can stain natural stone. 3. Clean your patio every day with a dust mop, vacuum or leaf blower. Hose it off if it needs it, but wet it down sparingly. Excess water can deposit on a stone’s surface and discolor it 4. Clean up spills as soon as they drop to prevent staining.
