How to clean concrete statues – get ready for mild spring days with more time spent outdoors

Concrete statues, sculptures and birdbaths are a beautiful way to introduce a touch of personality and flair into your outdoor spaces. But, just like your outdoor furniture and fences, these require maintenance and upkeep to keep them looking their best.

So, how do you clean concrete statues? Here, cleaning experts share their cleaning tips for washing away the winter weather and making your statues look as good as new, just in time for the start of spring.

How to clean concrete statues like a pro

Before you can begin to clean and refresh your yard art ideas for the new season, it's best to gather all your cleaning supplies first. You will need:

• A soft bristled brush or sponge such as the Mothers Soft Bristle Cleaning Scrub Brush available at Amazon
• A mild detergent: You can use either mild dish soap, such as the Seventh Generation Dish Soap Liquid Free & Clear available at Walmart, or pH-neutral stone cleaner
• A bucket of warm, clean water
• A garden hose on a low-pressure setting
• White vinegar: such as the Great Value Distilled White Vinegar available at Walmart for algae or mildew stains
• Concrete sealer which is optional, but helps protect from future buildup

Step 1: Brush off loose dirt and debris

Over winter, it's likely that bad weather conditions have left your concrete statues looking worse for wear. Begin by brushing off this loose dirt and debris.

Following the same theory as the dry/damp cleaning rule, Karina Toner, cleaning expert and operations manager at Spekless, recommends, 'Use a soft brush before adding water, to prevent turning dust into mud.'

All prices are correct at the time of publication.

Step 2: Wash with soap and water

Next, Tammy Sons, gardening expert, founder and CEO of TN Nursery, advises, 'Mix any sort of mild detergent with water in a bucket,' and then dip your cloth in.

We recommend using a microfiber cloth, such as the Great Value Multipurpose Microfiber Household Cleaning Cloth for this, as, much like when cleaning concrete floors, it's important to avoid using anything too abrasive.

'Carefully scrub the dirty areas of the statue with the brush, cloth, or a sponge,' continues Tammy.

Step 3: Remove algae or mildew

Sometimes, overly clean statues can actually be one of the things that make a yard look cheap, and a bit of moss and algae can add character and life to them. But, as cleaning expert Karina says, after a lengthy period of cold, wet weather, it might be necessary to remove mold and mildew as the weather brightens up.

She advises, 'If there's green or black buildup, spray a mix of equal parts white vinegar and water, let it sit for 10-15 minutes, then scrub and rinse.'

Karina adds that here you can also clean with hydrogen peroxide or clean with oxygen bleach on particularly tough spots without damaging the concrete, but that it's definitely not recommended to use chlorine bleach in this instance.

Always test cleaning solutions on an inconspicuous area before getting started.

Step 4: Rinse well and leave to air-dry

Once you're happy with the look of your concrete statue, rinse it thoroughly to avoid any soap buildup.

Karina recommends, 'Use a garden hose on low pressure, as pressure washers can wear down the surface over time.' The GVDV Metal Garden Hose available at Walmart is a great option for this, as it features an adjustable spray nozzle.

Then, after your backyard cleaning, allow your statue to air-dry. 'This is key, especially if you're sealing it afterward,' says Karina. 'Moisture trapped in concrete can lead to cracks or mildew.'

Spring is the ideal time to get this job done, as the weather tends to be warmer, with sunny days becoming more frequent. 'Doing this in the morning would be perfect so that the mid-day sun can completely dry your statue,' adds gardening expert Tammy.

Step 5: Apply a sealant

This is an optional step, but one that Karina suggests to protect your statue throughout the warmer months of spring and summer.

'While I'm an expert in cleaning, I'm not in sealing,' she admits. 'So, I checked in with some folks who are. A breathable, penetrating concrete sealer like Armor SX5000 Natural-Look Penetrating Water-Based Concrete Sealer for Concrete available at Amazon is a good option if the statue is exposed to a lot of moisture.

'It helps to repel water without trapping it inside, which can cause damage over time.'

Meet our experts

Karina Toner

As operations manager at Spekless, Karina oversees commercial and residential cleaning, both inside and outdoors.

FAQs

How often should you clean concrete statues?

Gardening expert Tammy advises, 'Concrete statues should be cleaned at least once or twice a year, but potentially more depending on their exposure to harsh weather.'

Light cleaning every two to three months can help to prevent significant buildup, and sealing should be undertaken once a year if your statue is located in a high-exposure area.

Spring is also the ideal time to clean your patio, taking into account the things people with clean patios always do.