How to Clean White Landscape Rocks

White landscape rocks can be a beautiful accent in your yard or garden. You will need to clean your white landscape rocks periodically to remove stains. Mud, dirt, mildew, bird droppings and even rust can all make these rocks need a cleaning. There are several home remedies to make your landscape rocks look like new in no time.

You can begin by removing any leaves, twigs and other debris from the rock garden. A leaf blower works best, but you can also sweep it clean with a broom. Then, rinse off the rocks with a hose to remove as much debris as possible before adding any cleaning agents. If you have a power washer, this can also work well with large landscape rocks but not smaller-sized rocks or gravel-sized rocks since the power washer could cause them to become airborne, creating a safety hazard.

Start with the gentlest cleanser possible. Soak the landscape rocks in a large bucket or tub. Make a cleaning solution of 1 tablespoon of gentle liquid dish soap and 1 gallon of warm water. Allow the rocks to soak for half an hour or longer.

Stir smaller rocks around a little bit to release some of the dirt if needed. Use a scrub pad or steel wool to get out stubborn stains. Rinse off the rocks and allow them to air dry for a day or so.

Baking soda can work wonders when it comes to stain removal. Begin by soaking the rocks in hot water in a bucket. Add a little baking soda and then scrub with a wet brush. Rinse thoroughly using a hose and repeat if necessary. If this doesn't work, you may have to use a stronger cleaning agent, such as white vinegar.

White vinegar is great, especially on large boulders. These rocks may accumulate moss and algae growth over time. If mossy rocks are not the look you desire, then try vinegar. Mix a solution of 1 cup of white vinegar and 6 cups of water and apply it to the rocks. Use a scrubbing brush to remove the growth. Rinse them clean with a hose and repeat if necessary.

You can eradicate weeds by pulling them out by hand. Make sure you pull out each weed all the way down to the root. You can use boiling water by pouring it directly onto the weeds. Be very careful so the boiling water does not come in contact with your skin and burn you. Be sure to wear closed-toe shoes and long pants as a precaution.

You can also use white vinegar by spraying it directly on the weeds. Make sure the vinegar does not get on any surrounding plants or grass because it will harm or kill them as well. If you have an excessive amount of weeds, white vinegar may not be strong enough. Instead, try horticultural vinegar or pure 20 percent vinegar, which you can buy at home improvement stores or online.