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How to Clean Brick Leach

Chelsea Fitzgerald

Bricks are an attractive and durable material useful in building chimneys, home exteriors, sidewalks, patios and other areas. During cold, wet temperatures, an efflorescence buildup resulting in white deposits often occurs on the bricks. This is the mineral salts in the clay leaching out.

Leaching may result in white, reddish brown, yellow or green stains.

The leaching dries and may be washed away over time by rainfall. If not, you can clean the leaching yourself by using simple measures.

  1. Fill your clean plastic spray bottle with sodium hypochlorite.

  2. Spray the sodium hypochlorite onto the areas with the leaching. There is no need to wet the bricks before using the chemical.

  3. Wait for the stain to disappear.

  4. Spray the bricks again after about 10 to 15 minutes if the stain remains.

  5. Scrub the bricks with a stiff scrub brush to get rid of stubborn stains.

  6. Rinse the brick area thoroughly with water from a garden hose once the stain disappears.

  7. Tip

    Sodium hypochlorite is a common ingredient in swimming pool chlorine and regular household bleach. This is an inexpensive method to remove brick leaching. It is available at hardware, discount and home supply stores. Test the sodium hypochlorite on an inconspicuous area of the brick before using it to ensure no further brick discoloration occurs.