First few minutes
Just happened? Do this first
- Brush off dry dirt with a stiff fiber brush before adding any liquid.
- Keep the brick wet with water while you work.
- Rinse the cleaning solution off before it has a chance to dry.
- Let the brick dry fully before you judge the result.
A stain on brick can soak in and start to look like part of the wall. Fresh marks from dirt or a spilled liquid usually come out with water and a mild detergent. Deep or dried stains are harder, and they may need a poultice and more patience.
Work from the bottom up with a soft brush, so runoff doesn't leave new streaks on the wall. For stains on brick from plants or food, a proprietary masonry cleaner made for that stain type is the next step before anything harsher. Rinse the wall well after each round so you can see what's really left.
Before you start
What this material can take
Safe to use3
- Water
- Hot water
- Soaking
Use with care5
- Chlorine bleach
- Oxygen bleach
- Solvents (alcohol, spot removers)
- Acids (vinegar, lemon)
- Scrubbing and abrasives
6 items
What you'll need
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- Stiff fiber brushDry-brushes loose dirt off the brick without damaging the mortar. (opens Amazon)
- Stiff bristle brush, non-metalScrubs the detergent into the stain. (opens Amazon)
- Bucket of clean water and a garden hoseSaturates the brick before cleaning and rinses it afterward.
- Mild liquid detergent or kitchen cleanserThe cleaning agent for the scrub step. (opens Amazon)
- Proprietary masonry cleanerMade for a specific stain type, for spots that won't lift with scrubbing. (opens Amazon)
- Pressure washer with a 25 to 50 degree fan tip (optional)Only for brick that can take it, kept within the pressure limits. (opens Amazon)
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7 steps
Step by step
Step 1 of 7
Test a hidden patch first
Pick a small spot that doesn't show, such as low on the wall or behind a planter, and try the method there first. Let that patch dry completely before you judge the result, then move on to the full stain.
Tip. Use the same brush, water and detergent you plan to use on the stain.
Step 2 of 7
Brush off the loose dirt
Dry-brush the stain with a stiff fiber brush to lift the loose dirt, then wet the brush and work the stain again with water. Brush in short strokes from the outer edge of the stain toward the middle so you don't spread it.
Tip. Keep the brush moving rather than pressing hard, which can push dirt into the mortar joints.
Careful. Never use a wire or metal brush; it damages mortar joints and can leave rusting particles.
Step 3 of 7
Soak the brick thoroughly
Wet the stain and the masonry below it with water until the brick stops taking it in. Saturated brick won't soak up the cleaner, so the solution stays on the stain where you want it.
Tip. Keep the brick wet with a light spray while you work, especially in direct sun.
Step 4 of 7
Scrub and rinse thoroughly
Scrub the stain with a mild liquid detergent or kitchen cleanser and a stiff bristle brush that isn't metal. Work in small sections and rinse each one thoroughly with water before you move on.
Tip. Keep a bucket of clean water nearby so you can rinse as you go.
Careful. Don't let the cleaning solution dry on the brickwork.
Step 5 of 7
Pressure wash only within limits
If you use a pressure washer, keep it at or below 400 psi with a 25 to 50 degree fan tip held at least 12 inches from the brick. Rinse the area with water when you're done so no cleaner is left behind.
Careful. On historic brick or grave stone, don't pressure wash at all; stick to brushing and water instead.
Step 6 of 7
Treat a persistent spot
If the stain is still there after scrubbing, use a proprietary masonry cleaner made for that stain type, following the label exactly. If the cleaner doesn't lift it, a poultice works on deeper marks and is described further down.
Tip. Apply the cleaner only to the spot, not the whole wall.
Step 7 of 7
Identify an unknown stain first
When you can't name the stain, skip any stronger product and send a sample to a testing lab for identification. That gives you a safe answer before you commit to anything harsher.
Careful. Stronger chemicals on an unidentified stain can create stains that are harder to remove.
If you'd rather buy than mix
Best stain removers for brick & masonry
Choose a proprietary masonry cleaner labeled for your specific stain type, and follow the label exactly. Test it on the hidden patch before you use it on the stain.
Dawn Ultra Dish Soap Refill Jug
These are the everyday supplies the steps above use, in the versions most people buy on Amazon.
Finished the steps? How does it look?
Nice work. Let it dry completely and check it again in good light. Here is what done looks like:
How to tell it's really gone →A faint mark usually needs one more round, not a stronger product.
If the stain was already dried or set, the method changes.
Old, dried or set-in stains →When to call a professional →How to tell it's working
The stain is gone when the brick looks the same color as the wall around it once it has fully dried, and water runs off without leaving a dark patch. If a shadow remains, the stain has set deeper, so move on to the spot treatment rather than scrubbing harder.
What changes for yours
Adjust for your brick & masonry
Clay pavers
Clay pavers take the same first steps as brick: test a hidden spot, brush, soak and scrub with a mild detergent. The difference is what you avoid, since polymer-sand haze cleaners made from unbuffered muriatic acid are off limits on them.
Pavers in a patio or walkway are also more likely to be pressure washed, so the pressure limits matter just as much here.
Historic brickwork
Historic brickwork calls for the most care, so the gentle steps are the only ones to use here. Skip pressure washing entirely, and keep to brushing with a stiff fiber brush, water and a mild detergent.
For a large or deep stain on historic brick, bring in a restoration specialist before you start.
Brick with a water repellent
A water repellent coating can stop a cleaner from working, so the stain may seem to resist every step. If you know the brick has been treated, check with whoever applied it before you use any cleaner.
Unknown treatments on the surface can interfere with cleaning the same way, so get professional guidance rather than trying harsher products.
Brick walls
A small, localized stain only needs spot treatment, so you don't have to scrub the whole wall. Keep the cleaner on that spot and wet only the brick around it, so the surrounding wall stays clean.
Rinse the spot thoroughly as soon as the cleaner has done its work. Check the result once the brick is fully dry, since wet brick looks darker than it will end up.
Old, dried or set-in stains
Old brick stains that have been there for months or years need a poultice rather than a quick scrub. A poultice is a thick paste made from talc, whiting, fuller's earth, diatomaceous earth or clay, mixed with the right solvent.
Spread it at least 1/8 inch thick over the stain and cover it with plastic for 24 hours so it can draw the stain out. Let it dry completely, then scrape or brush it off, and repeat as needed.
Proprietary stain-specific cleaners are the better choice over homemade mixes, so look for one labeled for your stain type. Older stains that still show after all this need stronger methods, and those carry more risk of damage to the brick.
Vinegar, baking soda, peroxide and more
Do home remedies work on brick & masonry?
Most home remedies don't belong on brick, so the steps here stick to water, a stiff brush and a mild detergent. Dish soap is one kind of mild detergent, so it can do that job on brick. Skip the rest on brick and stick to water, a stiff brush and a mild detergent.
Skip6
What makes it worse
Mistakes to avoid
Don't mix bleach with ammonia
Combining the two creates a toxic gas that can be lethal, so never mix them in a bucket or spray them on the same wall. Rinse every cleaner fully before you switch to a different product.
Don't use muriatic or hydrofluoric acid
Unbuffered muriatic (hydrochloric) and hydrofluoric acid cause further stains, acid burns and damage to mortar joints. If a stain seems to need acid, use the poultice method instead.
Don't sandblast the brick
Abrasive blasting can permanently remove the brick's surface and erode the mortar. It also increases water penetration, so the wall gets worse even when the stain is gone.
Don't push past 800 psi
Pressure above 800 psi erodes mortar and damages brick faces, even if the stain doesn't come off. Pushing the pressure higher to get a stain out is the fastest way to damage the wall.
When to call a professional
Bring in a pro if water repellents or unknown treatments are blocking the cleaning, since they can keep the stain from lifting. Laser cleaning needs a specialized contractor, so ask one for a quote if a stain won't respond to the steps.
Questions
Can you use bleach on brick stains?
Skip bleach on brick; start with water and a mild detergent, and if you ever use it, add it last, after a full rinse. If you ever add it, it belongs at the very end, after everything is fully rinsed.
Is vinegar safe to use on brick?
You don't need vinegar on brick; a cleaner made for masonry is the better choice for a stubborn spot. A cleaner that's made for masonry is the better option for a stubborn spot.
Will pressure washing damage brick?
It can, if the pressure is too high or the nozzle is too close. Keep to the pressure limits in the pressure washing step.
What's the best way to treat an old brick stain?
Old brick stains usually need a poultice rather than a quick scrub. Spread the paste at least 1/8 inch thick, cover it with plastic for 24 hours, and let it dry before scraping or brushing it off.
What if I can't tell what caused the stain?
Don't use a stronger chemical until you know what it is. A testing lab can identify an unknown stain, which is the safest route when you're unsure.
Do I need a professional for historic brick?
For a large or deep stain on historic brick, a restoration specialist is the right call before you start. While you wait, keep the work to gentle brushing and water.
Related
How we know this
Every method, amount and warning here comes from university extension services, industry bodies and product makers. We read them, check every step for unsafe combinations and changed amounts, and write it up so you can follow it.