While brick is permanent, it nonetheless requires occasional upkeep. But abrasives and other harsh cleaning methods can harm its surface. Whether cleaning interior or exterior brick walls, natural procedures are powerful techniques to extend the life span of your brick while keeping it looking its best.
Prepare the Surface
Achieve the best results by preparing a clean workspace. Remove all wall hangings and materials such as area rugs and furniture abutting the wall. If you are cleaning an interior wall, lay down a few old rags or towels at the bottom of this wall to catch any drips or spills that territory on the ground. Cobwebs and dust accumulate on brick walls; eliminate these using a natural brush with stiff bristles. Avoid brushes with wire or metal bristles as they can harm the surface; moreover, use a gentle scrubbing motion to maintain fragile brick. Like all cleaning procedures, begin with the minimal therapies first and progress to more vigorous procedures for heavy duty cleaning jobs.
Exterior Brick Walls
Exterior brick walls need minimal care but occasional cleaning keeps them looking their best. Spray down walls with a garden hose once a year to remove loose dirt when preventing it from becoming absorbed to brick’s porous surface. To get a more vigorous deep clean, use a pressure washer. The power of the pressurized water provides a highly effective clean, but do not use it on painted brick as it may damage the finish. Pay careful attention to nesting walls or ones with nearby vegetation as these may be breeding grounds for mold, mildew and moss. If water doesn’t do the trick, then make a solution of 1 cup of white vinegar and one gallon of warm water, then add a few to an empty spray bottle, and use a soft brush to gently scrub soiled areas. This technique also brightens up brick flooring and fireplace facades. When working with mould, always wear gloves and a face mask to avoid contact with potentially dangerous toxins.
Interior Brick Walls
Working on inside brick walls requires somewhat more care. Start by removing dust with a dust rag, feather duster or vacuum. Warm water is enough to treat fairly Realistic brick, whereas heavier soils might demand a deeper clean. Like exterior walls, interior walls can be cleaned with a solution of water and vinegar having a thick rag or brush. Use an old toothbrush to scrub mortar. Follow up by applying a neutralizing mixture of 2 ounces baking soda dissolved in a gallon of water.
Tips and Techniques
It’s critical to rinse bricks after cleaning to remove any residue. With a garden hose, brush or rag, use a back-and-forth and top-to-bottom movement. Do not use abrasives on bricks that defy gentler cleaning techniques; while some light brick cleaning projects can be dealt with by homeowners, harder jobs — especially involving delicate older bricks — call for a treatment by a brick cleaning service. Techniques involving water alone just removes loose dirt; professionals have the resources and experience to produce a more thorough clean while preventing disintegration along with the accidental removal of the mortar.