How to Clean Brick Without Power Washing

Mix up a cleaning solution rather than using a power washer to clean brick surfaces.

Brick is a durable material used on various surfaces around homes and buildings. Just like any other surface, brick will get dirty and must be cleaned periodically. Many people use a power washer to clean exterior brick surfaces, however, some people don’t have access to a power washer and still want to thoroughly clean their brick. Instead of power washing brick, use the right cleaning solutions and methods to get the brick just as clean as you would with a power washer.

Things You'll Need

• Bucket
• Water
• 2 tbsp. liquid dish soap
• ¼ cup table salt
• Stiff-bristled scrub brush
• ½ cup trisodium phosphate

Instructions

1. Fill a bucket with 2 gallons of warm water. Add 2 tbsps. of liquid dish soap and ¼ cup of table salt. Use your hands to thoroughly mix the ingredients.

2. Scrub the cleaning solution onto the brick using a stiff-bristled scrub brush. Let it sit on the brick for 15 minutes.

3. Scrub the brick thoroughly with the scrub brush to remove dirt and other grime. Rinse the brick with clean water.

4. Mix 1 gallon of hot water and ½ cup of trisodium phosphate for a stronger cleaning solution if the brick is still dirty. Scrub it onto the brick, let it sit for 10 minutes, then scrub the brick thoroughly with the scrub brush. Rinse the brick with clean water.

Tips & Warnings

• Wear rubber gloves, protective clothing and eyewear when working with trisodium phosphate.

References

• Housekeeping Channel: Cleaning Brick in 4 Easy Steps