How To Clean Your Retaining Wall To Keep It Looking Good As New

Retaining walls serve both a practical and decorative purpose in your yard. These structures are also fairly easy to build as long as you abide by some do's and don'ts. But after your retaining wall is up, you may notice that it can get seriously dirty. Luckily, it doesn't take fancy tools or products to address. To make your retaining wall look as good as new, all you need is a hose, stiff brush, and dish soap. They get dirty because they're typically made of porous ingredients like concrete, brick, or stone. Although durable, these materials are also susceptible to staining, as their porosity allows debris to breach the surface. Additionally, porous materials easily harbor mold and moss, which can be an unwelcome additions to your retaining walls.

If you notice that your retaining wall is dirty, you may be tempted to simply blast it with a power hose. However, certain pavers shouldn't be cleaned with a pressure washer, as it can damage them or even push dirt further into the surface. Instead, start off your cleaning by using a hose or pressure washer (on fan jet setting) to wet your wall from top down to dislodge dirt. Afterward, spray on a mix of dish soap and water (about 1 squirt per 2 gallons). Let that soak for 10 to 15 minutes before using a stiff brush on any stains, mold, or accumulated dirt. Once that is done, spray it down again, and you're done.

The above method should be enough to thoroughly clean most retaining walls. However, if you're dealing with particularly stubborn stains or moss, use bleach. Before you begin, spray a small section of your retaining wall, wipe it off, and check for any signs of discoloration. If it looks good, carry on spraying the entire wall with bleach. Let it sit for a few moments before rinsing it off. If you don't want to use bleach, combine white vinegar and water in a 1:1 ratio. Spray the mixture on the moss-stained walls and scrub with a brush. 

Lastly, you can purchase moss removal products like Wet and Forget or 30 Seconds Spray & Walk Away. Both are designed to kill organic growth like moss and lichen over time. They are specifically intended for outdoor use as they rely on rain to rinse away the product for you. All you have to do is spray it on your dirty surface. However, neither products promise an immediate clean. Wet and Forget notes that green stains should clear up in a couple of weeks but dark or stubborn ones can take at least six months. Similarly, 30 SECONDS states that it may take a week to remove some moss or for it to show any signs of decay. After you're done cleaning, follow these tips to maintain your paver wall.