Blow Away Loose Debris
Leaves and other plant matter often fall into decorative rock beds. You can start your cleaning session by using a leaf blower to push the leaves into an area of the yard that’s easier to sweep. Then just sweep up the leaves and give the decorative rocks a good look to see if you need to do any further cleaning.
Use the Sifting Method with Smaller Decorative Rocks
Gravel and other small objects can sometimes work their way into beds of smaller landscaping rocks such as Mexican beach pebble. If this is the case, you can use a sturdy screen to sift out the tiny debris. Once you’ve set up the screen, use a shovel to put the river rocks on top. The dirt and small pieces of debris should fall through the screen and onto the ground, where you can clean them up.
Brush off Bigger River Rocks
Larger landscaping rocks might need a good scrub. You can grab a push broom and use it to work off thicker layers of dirt and mud. This is also a good first step to take before you begin to hose the decorative rocks down, since it’ll loosen caked-on dirt.
Pick Your Sprayer
There are two main methods for washing decorative rocks. If the river rocks aren’t too dirty, you may be able to get them clean by just using a regular outdoor garden sprayer. However, this might not remove large amounts of dirt or mud that have been allowed to harden. A pressure washer might be your best option for cleaning the decorative rocks if there are stains or dirt that won’t come off with a typical garden hose.
Wash with Dish Soap
You can add dish detergent to the water to get your decorative rocks extra clean. Keep in mind you can choose to only use water if you prefer, but this method can remove oily spots. If you use dish soap, make sure to rinse darker river rocks thoroughly to avoid leaving unsightly spots of watered-down soap.
Know How to Safely Remove Moss & Mold
In some cases, you may need to use chemicals to kill moss and remove mold stains, especially if you have lighter-colored decorative rocks such as snow white pebbles. Vinegar is a natural solution you can try if you prefer to avoid caustic chemicals. You can also mix a quarter cup of bleach with two gallons of water to remove these types of stains. With both methods, make sure to keep the solution away from any plants, since it could cause grass and other living parts of the landscape to die.
No matter what type of landscaping project you’re planning, decorative rocks, stones, or beach pebbles can add immense depth, character, and beauty to it. When you’re ready to get started on your landscaping plan, reach out to the experts at RS&P Rock Stones & Pebbles, a premier provider of river rocks, beach pebbles, and a wide variety of decorative stones. To learn how we can help you create the landscape of your dreams, call us today at (866) 380-0580.
