How to Clean Manufactured Stone Veneer

Renovating your home with stone veneer has many benefits. It can increase curb appeal outside, add character inside and help elevate your home’s overall value. And if you’re weighing natural stone vs. stone veneer for your reno project, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at the manufactured stone veneer pricing advantage!

Have you fallen in love with the luxuriously authentic look of our manufactured stone veneer profiles – but you’re concerned about how to clean stone veneer? Get ready to achieve stone-cold peace of mind.

The pros at Casa di Sassi have been obsessed with stone veneer colors and textures for nearly 20 years – but the history of stone veneer goes all the way back to the Roman Empire. And decorative building materials don’t typically stick around that long if they’re too difficult to maintain.

Cleaning stone walls may sound like a heavy lift, but stone veneer is an extremely low-maintenance product. Aside from being durable, versatile and beautiful, it’s surprisingly easy to clean. If it accumulates a slight coating of dust or dirt over time, you won’t need expensive cleaning equipment, hard-to-find cleaning agents or a lot of time to properly clean stone veneer.

Basically all you need is water and a little bit of mild detergent to remove excess dirt or debris. That’s it! No harsh chemicals or labor-intensive power washing ever. Read on to get all the details on keeping your stone veneer walls, backsplash or other features looking fresh and fabulous for the long haul – so you can feel good about buying stone veneer without regret!

Cleaning Stone Veneer

If simple and easy is your thing, especially when it comes to cleaning, then manufactured stone veneer is the building material for you. It is such a low-maintenance, stress-free product that we cover it with a 50-year transferable warranty. In that impressive lifetime, you’ll most likely only have to give it a quick wipe-down or rinse every now and then to keep it looking like new.

There are a few differences between how to clean exterior stone veneer porch columns or walls and how to clean interior installations, like a stone veneer kitchen backsplash or fireplace surround. We touch on both with helpful tips and basic guidelines for enjoying years of luxurious beauty.

Professional vs DIY

The decision of whether to hire a professional team to clean your veneer stone walls or take the DIY route is one every homeowner has to make for themselves. We honestly think that cleaning manufactured stone veneer is so simple that just about anyone can probably handle it.

If you have a slight fear of heights, however, it may be best to call a professional to clean veneer surfaces that are high up and require an extension ladder. For example, if your home has exterior stone siding veneer that extends to the roof or an interior stone fireplace wall that climbs to a cathedral ceiling, a professional team may be your best bet.

Indoor vs Outdoor

Cleaning stone veneer walls, columns and other applications entails a similar process whether they’re indoors or outside. And we’ve got time-saving tricks for both!

Here’s what you’ll need to clean your stone veneer surfaces:

• Clean water
• Mild dishwashing detergent
• Soft nylon-bristle brush
• Sponges or soft cloths
• Bucket
• Vacuum cleaner (indoors only)
• House (outdoors only)

Here’s the step-by-step process for how to clean stone veneer:

1. Start by getting the stone surface slightly wet.
2. Next, dip a soft nylon brush, sponge or cloth into water mixed with mild detergent and squeeze out the excess liquid.
3. Gently wipe away dust, dirt and other surface debris.
4. Use another cloth or sponge that’s dampened with only water to rinse excess soap from the entire stone surface area.

What’s the super-easy method for how to clean exterior stone veneer? Use your regular garden hose to rinse accumulated dirt and grime off stone veneer siding and other outdoor installations. You probably don’t want to drench the inside of your home, so a bucket with water is best for cleaning indoor stone surfaces.

Here’s another good-to-know pro tip for freshening your indoor veneer stone walls: Remove surface dust by using your vacuum and a soft-bristled attachment.

Should I Seal My Stone Veneer?

Whether or not to use stone veneer sealer is a common concern among homeowners. It’s mostly a matter of personal preference, but you may want to consider how some harsh types of climate can affect stone veneer’s durability. Prolonged exposure to high winds, constant rain or sea salt requires special attention to proper waterproofing and installation procedures. Sealing the stone surface after installation may help prolong its integrity and appearance for longer.

If you’re still on the fence about what to do, here’s our seasoned advice: Stone that’s used indoors is not typically exposed to severe weather or temperature changes.

Interior stone veneer colors and textures tend to stay looking great without a sealer coat.

Exterior stone veneer can benefit from a breathable silane or siloxane sealant, especially if you live in an area that experiences extreme climate fluctuations. While the correct installation ensures water won’t get beyond the stone veneer siding, the sealant helps protect against scratches, fading and discoloration caused by the elements.

Limitations of Cleaning Stone Walls

Now that you have a good idea of how to clean your stone veneer, we think you’ll agree that our top-quality stone veneer is worth the investment. Here are a few no-nos to keep in mind:

No Pressure Washing

Stone veneer is made of cement, aggregate materials and pigments. Yes, It’s extremely durable, but a power washer is never recommended for cleaning stone veneer walls. The high water pressure that’s associated with pressure and power washing can erode delicate surface features and wash away pigmentation details. You run the risk of seriously damaging your stone siding veneer if you attempt to clean it with a pressure washing technique.

No Harsh Chemicals

Using harsh, abrasive cleaning agents on manufactured stone is another big no-no. Never use any products that contain acid, ammonia or bleach to clean stone veneer indoors or outdoors. Even de-icing and pool chemicals can damage its surface, which is why it’s important to think carefully about where to install stone veneer and where to avoid installing it. Mild soaps or detergents are the only products we recommend. Anything harsher, especially acidic compounds, can strip away pigments and cause a dull, drab appearance.

Casa di Sassi Stone Profiles

With over 20 years in the business, Casa di Sassi is a leading manufacturer of high-quality stone veneer profiles and accessories. Our designers work hard to create an array of gorgeous, authentic manufactured stone veneer profiles that look like genuine stones found in nature. They’ll last for decades, both indoors and outside. And yes – they’re remarkably easy to clean!

Check out our project gallery to get inspired by the stone veneer colors and textures that will elevate your home’s living spaces. Then find a trusted Casa di Sassi distributor in your hometown – and get ready to add gorgeous, low-maintenance stone veneer walls and accents to your home!