Like everything else even exterior bricks require periodic cleaning. Dust and dirt builds up over time and moss grows on brick surfaces that get little sun exposure. Cleaning exterior bricks is an easy DIY task that most homeowners can do themselves. Here are some tips for cleaning bricks.

Do not use a power washer if you have a crumbling brick problem. The power washer will only make the situation worse. Simply spraying outdoor brick with a water hose now and then rinses away dirt that gets on the bricks from sprinklers or rain.

For removing normal dust and dirt rinse with plain water and scrub with a stiff bristled brush as required. For difficult stains add cup of ammonia to a bucket of water, scrub the area and rinse well. Cleaning moss from brick is a little more challenging. If the brick is continually moist, it will almost always start growing a variety of molds and moss.

How to clean the moss off brick:

Use a garden hose, with a pressure nozzle, to remove as much moss as possible.
Periodically scrape off the moss or mold with a non-metallic spatula.
Mix one cup of bleach into a gallon of water.
Apply the solution on a small sample area first, and then wait a week to see if there are any unwanted color changes in the brick.
If there are no unwanted color changes, thoroughly soak the bricks with water.
Using a spray bottle or hose spray attachment, spray the bleach solution on the bricks while they are wet.
Let it sit for a week and thoroughly rinse the bricks again with water.
Scrape the moss off with a scrub brush and thoroughly rinse.
If this does not get all the moss off use a power washer as last resort to blast it off.
Be sure to wear rubber gloves as you scrub, and don’t forget eye protection. Scrubbing and spraying can splatter the bleach mixture into your face.

Cleaning cement off brick:

The easiest way to clean mortar or cement off of brick is with a chisel. If the brick has not yet been used in construction, you can also clean the cement or mortar off with another brick. If the cement is actually embedded within the brick, you may have to resurface the brick to get it off. Another method is to use muriatic acid solution to clean the brick. This is very effective but can be hazardous as it can damage shrubs, flowers and grass. If you resort to using a muriatic acid solution use proper safety equipment to protect your skin and eyes. After cleaning with a muriatic acid solution, rinse thoroughly to neutralize the acid.

Remove paint from brick:

If you have an older brick home with painted brick it is because they were meant to be painted. They were constructed of rougher bricks, or seconds, and were designed to be painted to seal them from the elements. Such houses should be periodically repainted after doing the appropriate prep work. Use a paint that is formulated for masonry, usually 100% acrylic latex.

Fresh paint stains can be removed with a commercial paint remover. Apply the remover to the stain and allow it to dry for an hour. Remove with a wooden scraper and wire brush. Rinse with water. For older paint stains, you may need to use steel wool or a wire brush. Insure that you use proper skin and eye safety protection when using paint remover.

Cleaning exterior bricks can be a challenge but if the brick surface is rinsed periodically with plain water and a pressure nozzle the cleaning brick task can be easy.

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