Non Toxic Ways to Clean Outdoor Bricks

Pressure Washing

• If you don't own a pressure washer, you can usually rent them from home improvement stores. Pressure washing brick can effectively remove stubborn dirt, moss and other debris from the bricks without using anything but water. Follow the manufacturers' instructions for using the pressure washer and take care not to accidentally pressure wash your landscaping in the process so as not to harm fragile plants and flowers.

Detergent

• Using bleach-free laundry or dish detergent is a safe non-toxic way to remove grease and dirt from your outdoor bricks. Mix powdered or liquid detergent into a bucket of warm water, and dip a medium- to coarse-bristled brush into it to clean the bricks. You can loosen tough stuck-on dirt by saturating it with liquid detergent and letting it soak for at least 10 minutes. Scrub the area with a brush, and rinse it with water from your garden hose.

White Vinegar

• Vinegar is just acidic enough to eat through tough caked-on dirt and debris without damaging the bricks. White vinegar is also highly effective at removing rust stains. Pour white vinegar directly onto a rust stain on brick, and let it soak for 15 to 20 minutes. Scrub the stain away with a brush or resoak it if it needs it. Avoid using vinegar around your plants as it alters the pH level of the soil and may harm them. A safer way is to soak a cloth or sponge in white vinegar, and set it on top of the stain instead.

Routine Nontoxic Cleaning

• A broom can help to keep dirt and dust from accumulating on outdoor brick. You can also hose down the brick when you're outside working in your yard to help keep it clean. If you use a commercial product to assist you in cleaning outdoor brick, read the label to ensure there are no chemicals added.