Cleaning cobblestones with vinegar is occasionally recommended as a home remedy. But what does the result look like – does the acid help or harm? And how is it applied? We clarify.
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Alternative to high pressure
Like soda, vinegar can be used as an alternative to a pressure washer. But many believe that the high-pressure cleaner such as a Kärcher is the better choice. However, the high water pressure can damage the stones themselves or the joints. Grout can crack or even break off the bricks completely. Sand is washed out of the joints by the water.
In the case of natural stones with a soft surface finish, the stones can also become uneven as layers are removed and dents may appear. Vinegar water is therefore a good way of cleaning and can also reduce the effort.
For which type of stone?
Whether vinegar is suitable depends on the type of paving stones. Cast stones, such as concrete, can be cleaned with it without any problems. If, on the other hand, it is natural stone, such as marble or basalt, it should never be used. Because these materials do not tolerate any acid and would be damaged by mere contact, even if the vinegar water is used very diluted. The surface becomes cloudy and the stones can become porous.
type of vinegar
The most suitable types of vinegar are:
- Essigreiniger
- white household vinegar
- vinegar essence
Action
It doesn’t take much effort to clean paving stones with vinegar water. However, you should follow the right procedure. The following guide shows how to do it:
dry cleaning
First, all dry dirt should be removed with a broom. On the one hand, sweeping is important to remove coarse and large parts such as leaves. On the other hand, the effect of soaking is improved and the following steps are made easier.
remove weeds
Unless the joints are filled with mortar, weeds often grow in them . This should be removed before cleaning the paving stones. Joint scrapers help to remove it as simply and thoroughly as possible. However, you can also burn it or pluck it out by hand. However, these methods involve greater effort.
soaking
The mixture based on vinegar and water should be allowed to act for several hours so that the vinegar water can thoroughly dissolve dirt and make it easy to remove afterwards. It is therefore ideal if you choose a cool day with comparatively high humidity for cleaning.
brush off
A brush with soft bristles should be chosen as a tool for cleaning the paving stones in order to remove the dirt but not to change or attack the surface finish. A scrubber can also be used to remove blemishes. However, you should not apply too much pressure.
rinse off
After brushing off the stones, you should rinse off the remaining vinegar well. This prevents the materials from suffering damage. In addition, rinsing ensures that the diluted vinegar penetrates the soil. As a result, negative effects on vegetation and groundwater can be significantly reduced and the groundwater reduced.
remove water
Especially in the cold season, you should make sure that no water remains on the paving stones. On the one hand, it can pose a danger to animals and people, since there is a risk of ice layers forming in the event of frost. On the other hand, frost damage can occur if the water freezes in small cracks and expands in the process. Again, you can work with a brush with soft brushes or carefully with a scrubber.
