I had recently built a firepit patio in my backyard made from, among other things, reclaimed Garden Wall Stones. They were old, which seemed to add to the character of the display. But, they also had developed their fair share of moss and lichen cover the few early days of Fall. Several of the pit stones had become very green and pronounced in some places. My wife was very unhappy with the look and we had people coming in a couple of hours. So, I had to do something right away.
I chose to burn the lichen and moss with a Bernz-o-Matic propane torch.
This operation took, at most, 10 minutes. It cleared up the look to my wife’s satisfaction and the day went off without a hitch.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that this is not the proper way to fully clean up lichen and moss as it leaves the burnt vegetation embedded in the stone. You can’t see it very well even when you are looking for it. But, we know it’s there and more will be coming. The burning is only a short-term fix.
When the Spring arrives, I will be doing a full cleaning of the firepit, including the now dead moss and lichen, and I will be following these directions…
The Proper Way to Remove Moss and Lichen From Wall Stone
- To properly clean out the lichen and moss from your wall stone, you will need to use a pressure washer. They can be rented or purchased. I can make some recommendations if care to look.
- You will NOT need to use a cleanser with the power washer for this job. As the stones age, they can lose some of their colors. We don’t want to hasten the aging of the stone by using harsh chemicals on the dye used to color the stones.
- Be certain to use a light spray on the stone to only remove the lichen and moss. You won’t need much in the way of pressure. If you find you’re having difficulty at a lower pressure, you can gradually bring the pressure up until you hit the minimum required to remove the lichen and moss.
- Be certain to keep the spray wand moving as you clean. This way you will be less likely to over wash, potentially causing pitting in the stone itself (erosion) and the unsightly look of an uneven cleaning.
- Follow the power washing by picking up the lichen and moss and disposing of it
- Next, in a spray bottle, mix an approximate 10-to-1 solution of water and vinegar, respectively. Shake it up and apply the spray to the stone. The acidity of the vinegar will help to prevent the growth from coming back any time soon.
I will likely update this article after the prescribed Spring cleaning of my firepit. In the meantime, and for those of you who live in warmer climates, below is a video that will demonstrate how to properly use a pressure washer…
How to Use A Pressure Washer
The following video is provided by our friends at Home Depot:
Spring will be here before we know it. I, myself, look forward to getting back out to the freshly cleaned firepit on a more regular basis with friends and family for S’mores, hotdogs, outdoor movies, and general togetherness.
C’mon back and see what’s new in the Backyard!
Best of Luck
Berk