Outdoor hardscapes are built to endure the elements, but proper care is essential to maintain their appearance and performance over time. From patios to pool areas and walkways, understanding how to clean and protect these surfaces can extend their lifespan and reduce maintenance costs.
This blog will walk you through the essentials of outdoor hardscape care—how to identify materials, handle tough stains, and choose the right products to keep every surface in peak condition.
What is a Hardscape?
In outdoor design, a hardscape refers to non-plant elements like walkways, patios, and spaces around features such as grills and pools. These surfaces are crucial for creating functional outdoor areas—providing space for cooking, seating, and entertainment.
The trend of enhancing outdoor spaces continues to grow, with a focus on improving both the appearance and durability through the right surface materials and treatments.
Addressing Common Hardscape Needs
Outdoor hardscapes, like patios, walkways, and pool areas, are constantly exposed to the elements, which can impact their appearance over time. Seasonal changes, such as the falling of leaves in autumn or the increased use of outdoor spaces during summer, often lead to issues like stains, algae growth, and organic dirt buildup. Regular cleaning is essential to keep these surfaces looking fresh and in good condition.
In particular, addressing common issues, like cleaning pool decks or removing tough stains from pavers, ensures that the surfaces maintain their durability and visual appeal. Timely maintenance—whether it’s after summer or as part of a routine cleaning schedule—helps extend the life of outdoor spaces and preserves their beauty for years to come.
Knowing Your Materials
When cleaning and maintaining hardscapes, it’s essential to understand the differences between various materials. Different surfaces require specific treatments to preserve their integrity and appearance. FILA offers a range of products tailored to three critical categories of outdoor surfaces:
Acid Sensitive Materials
- Examples: Limestone, marble, travertine, and concrete
- Susceptible to acid damage due to calcium content
- Acidic cleaners can cause irreversible damage like etching and discoloration
- Always opt for pH-neutral or alkaline cleaners
- Conduct a test on an inconspicuous area before applying any product
Acid-Resistant Materials
- Examples: Quarry tile, terracotta, slate, granite, and saltillo
- More resistant to acids and can tolerate more robust cleaning methods
- Be cautious of exotic veins in granite or slate that may contain acid-sensitive components
- Always test a small, hidden area to ensure compatibility with cleaning products
Porcelain Pavers
- One of the most used materials for outdoor spaces
- Acid-resistant, allowing for easier cleaning with stronger solutions
- Matte, structured, and slip-resistant varieties are easy to clean with acid-based products
- Ideal for handling tough stains on outdoor surfaces
The FILA System for Outdoor Surfaces
Now that you know your materials, let’s explore how FILA’s range of products can help maintain and protect them. Depending on the surface type, the right solution will vary to ensure your hardscape looks its best for years to come.
Caring for Acid-Sensitive Stones
- Pre-Treatment
- Contaminant Prevention: To ensure maximum protection, apply PW10 Anti-Contaminant Back Sealer before the installation. This product blocks contaminants and efflorescence from rising to the stone’s surface, keeping it cleaner and looking fresh longer.
- Grout Residue Protection: Protect your acid-sensitive stone from grout stains with PRW200 Grout Release or CONTRACTOR’S CHOICE . These products prevent staining caused by grout residues, eliminating the “picture frame” effect that can occur with unfinished stone.
- Post Installation Cleaning
- Cementitious Grout Residues: Use STONE CLEAN diluted at 1:30 on natural stone surfaces to gently clean grout residues without damaging the stone’s finish.
- Epoxy Grout Residues: Apply PS87 diluted at 1:5 for epoxy, chemical-based grout, premixed, or urethane grouts. Adjust the dilution as needed for different surface finishes.
- Protection
- Water-Based: For natural-looking, long-lasting protection, MP90 ECO PLUS is the ideal choice. This water-based penetrating sealer offers a lifetime performance warranty, providing water and stain resistance while preserving the stone’s natural appearance. Quick-drying and low in VOCs, it’s perfect for most acid-sensitive stones.
- Solvent-Based: FOB Natural Look Sealer is an excellent option. This solvent-based sealer penetrates deeply, offering enhanced protection against water exposure. Best suited for high-traffic or commercial spaces, it requires proper ventilation and a longer drying time (8 hours before foot traffic).
NB. Choose a sealer with water and stain resistance, and breathability. Test before applying and avoid residue—use PROSTRIP for removal if needed. Reapply every 1-3 years based on usage.
- Maintenance
- General Surface Maintenance: For regular cleaning, dilute STONE CLEAN at 1:200 to keep extensive surfaces looking their best.
- Deep Cleaning for Large Areas: Use PS87 diluted at 1:20 for a more thorough clean, adjusting dilution based on the stone’s finish.
- Small Surface Cleaning: Use CLEANALL SPRAY for quick, effective cleaning in smaller areas and REFRESH & RESEAL for cleaning outdoor countertops.
Maintaining Acid-Resistant Surfaces
- Pretreatment
- Impurity Protection: Apply PW10 Anti-Contaminant Back Sealer for enhanced defense. It prevents contaminants and efflorescence from reaching the stone’s surface, helping to maintain its cleanliness and appearance over time.
- Post Installation Cleaning
- Cement-Based Grout Residues: Use DETERDEK diluted at 1:10 for effective removal of residues and cleaning after installation. Disclaimer: Before applying DETERDEK on any stone surface, always test in an inconspicuous area to ensure there is no adverse reaction.
- Protection
- Water-Based: Ideal for acid-sensitive and acid-resistant stones, MP90 ECO PLUS offers water and stain protection while maintaining the stone’s natural look.
- Solvent-Based: Likewise, both MP90 and FOB are great for acid-resistant stones. MP90 provides deep protection for high-traffic areas, while FOB is best for compact stones, offering lasting water resistance and a natural finish.
- Maintenance
- Daily Surface Maintenance: To maintain the appearance of broader surfaces, dilute STONE CLEAN at 1:200 for regular cleaning.
- Heavy-Duty Cleaning for Large Areas: For a deeper clean, use PS87 diluted at 1:10, adjusting based on the stone’s finish.
- Small Surface Cleaning: For fast and efficient cleaning, use CLEANALL SPRAY on smaller areas and REFRESH & RESEAL on outdoor countertops.
Easy Care for Porcelain Pavers
- Grout Haze Prevention:
To avoid grout haze, clean as you go using one of two products, depending on the type of grout you’re working with.
- INSTANT REMOVER for cement-based grout.
- HYBRID & EPOXY PRO for epoxy, urethane, or pre-mixed grout.
- Post-Installation Cleaning:
To clean the surface after installation , again, use the appropriate product based on the type of grout.
- Cement Grout: Use DETERDEK diluted 1:5.
- Epoxy/Urethane Grout: Use EPOXY OFF .
- Maintenance:
- Regular Surface Care: Dilute CLEAN ALL at 1:200 for routine cleaning to keep larger surfaces looking their best.
- Intensive Cleaning for Larger Areas: Use PS87 as needed.
- Smaller Surfaces: Apply CLEAN ALL SPRAY for routine cleaning and KITCHEN KARE FOAM for a more thorough clean.
Tackling Hard-To-Clean Stains and Residues
- Oil Stains – NOSPOT : Extracts oil stains from natural stone, concrete, and terracotta with an easy spray-and-wipe application. Works on untreated surfaces and leaves no trace. Ideal for granite, marble, quarry tile, agglomerates, and terracotta.
- Colored Organic Stains – SR95 : Removes colored organic stains like wine, coffee, and soft drinks from natural stone and porcelain. Safe for polished finishes and works on deep-set stains. Ideal for polished and matte porcelain tile and all natural stone.
- Removing Sealer Residue – PROSTRIP : As mentioned, PROSTRIP efficiently removes incorrectly applied sealers without damaging surfaces. Ideal for natural stone, porcelain, ceramic tile, concrete, and quartz.
- Grease & Tough Dirt – KITCHEN KARE FOAM : Degreases and cleans tough dirt from kitchen and outdoor surfaces with its non-drip foam. Quick action and leaves a pleasant scent. Ideal for ceramic, plastic, glass, metal, and stainless steel.
- Rust Stains – NO RUST : Removes rust stains from various surfaces. Non-acidic, fast-acting gel formula works in just 15 minutes. Ideal for natural stone, porcelain tile, concrete, terrazzo, and terracotta.
Hardscape Perfection Starts with FILA
Get the most out of your outdoor surfaces with our expert cleaning and maintenance tips. Reach out to FILA’s technical team for personalized advice, and look out for our new concrete sealer, COMING SOON!
