Did you know that garden statues are made from materials of different strength? If not, it’s time to learn some facts about these delicate pieces of art. Garden statues are available in many materials like stone, metal and plastic. Most garden statues are known for their longevity, but this depends on the material type. We’ll discuss about each of the garden statues material’s unique quality and cleaning tips for them.
Table of Contents
Make a Cleaning Solution
If you have a garden statue or two, you know that they are a lovely addition to any outdoor space. However, over time they can get dirty and dusty and may require a good cleaning. This is a page about how to clean garden statues.
Before you begin cleaning your garden statues, be sure to check the weather forecast – you want to be sure that it will be warm and sunny for at least two days after you have cleaned your statue so it has time to dry completely outdoors.
To clean your statues, make a solution of one gallon of water with 1/2 cup bleach. Wear gloves, safety goggles, and old clothes before you begin cleaning. Using a soft bristled brush, gently scrub the statue with the solution, then rinse thoroughly with clean water. Allow the statue to dry in the sun for at least two days before placing it back outdoors.
Do a Spot Test
Before you start cleaning your statue, you will want to perform a spot test. You can do this with a soft cloth, or a toothbrush. Soak the cloth in your chosen cleaner and rub it on a small section of the statue. Wait five minutes and check for any adverse reactions. If there are none, you can proceed to clean the whole statue.
Cleaning the Statue
1. Remove any dust, dirt or other debris from the statue by using a garden hose to spray it down. Use your hands to brush away stubborn debris once you have rinsed the piece.
2. Fill a bucket with warm water and add a few drops of dish soap, such as Dawn Ultra Dishwashing Liquid Dish Soap (Original Scent), which is designed to cut grease and oil. Swish the water with your hand until bubbles form on the surface.
3. Dip a soft cloth into the soapy water, wring it out and wipe down the statue with it to remove any remaining dirt or stains. Work in sections, rinsing off your cloth frequently in the bucket of water and wiping down each section before moving on to another section of the statue. You can also use an old toothbrush to gently scrub areas that are especially dirty or stained
4. Rinse off the statue completely with clean water from a garden hose when you have finished cleaning it. Allow the statue to air dry, or wipe it down with additional soft cloths if you desire a quicker drying time.
Rinse the Statue
There’s nothing like a garden statue to liven up your outdoor space. Whether you own a bronze animal sculpture, an Italian marble fountain or a cast iron sundial, it’s nice to keep it looking clean and shiny with a gentle cleaning once in a while.
Here are some tips for cleaning your garden statues:
- Start by brushing away dirt and debris from the statue with a soft-bristled brush. Use warm water and rinse off any remaining dirt.
- If the dirt is really tough to remove, use a cloth or sponge soaked in soapy water, but take care not to scrub too hard or you could damage the surface of the statue. A mixture of 1 cup of mild dish soap mixed into 4 gallons of warm water will do the trick.
- Rinse the statue thoroughly with clean water and let dry completely before moving on to the next step.
Dry the Statue
The easiest way to clean a garden statue is with a strong spray of water from a hose to remove dust, dirt and loose debris. If your garden statue is small enough, or if the surface can tolerate it, you can use a wet cloth or scrub brush to get in the crevices and corners.
If the dust and dirt are stubborn, try using soap and water on the statue. For really tough stains, consider using a solution of mild dishwashing detergent and water or use a commercial bird droppings cleaner. Do not use harsh chemicals, solvents or abrasive cleaners on the surface of your garden statues as this could damage them.
Dry the statue completely with rags or towels before putting it back in its place in your garden to prevent mildew and mold from growing on the moist surface.
Seal the Statue with Wax
Cleaning statues is a fairly easy task and can be done in several ways. After the statue has been restored, it can be sealed with wax to prevent further deterioration.
Determine the composition of the statue. This is important because it will determine the cleaning method used. Most statues are made of either stone or metal and are found in gardens and parks, though they may be part of a bronze sculpture garden. However, they may also be made of concrete, copper or clay.
Dust the statue regularly to prevent dirt from building up and making it harder to clean later on. This is particularly true for statues found in public areas such as parks or along city streets.
If you have a stone statue, wash it with water using a soft-bristled brush to remove dirt and debris without scratching the surface of the stone. Use a mild detergent if necessary to remove stubborn stains.
If you have a metal statue, use a wire brush to scrub away dirt and debris before washing with water and soap. If your statue has rust spots, apply WD-40 or another rust dissolver before washing away residue with water and soap after 24 hours.
If you have a concrete statue, wash away dirt with water while scrubbing the surface gently with a plastic
Conclusion
If you’re looking to clean your garden statues, there are a few things to keep in mind. The first is that different types of stone respond differently to cleaning agents, so it’s important to know what kind of stone the statue is made of before devising a cleaning method.
The second thing to keep in mind is that the cleaner you use should not be harsh enough to remove any paint or finish on the statue.