Avoid using harsh chemical cleaners that may remove paint or bleach parts of the concrete, as this may harm the statue or result in an inconsistent coloring of the piece as a whole. Harsh chemicals can also harm your plants.
Brushing Off Dry Debris
Use a soft-bristled brush, such as a paintbrush, to remove cobwebs and loose dirt or debris from the statue. A toothbrush reaches into crevices and details and allows you to dry-scrub these areas without harming the concrete. If the statue is small and lightweight, lift it and brush off the base. Don't use a wire brush or grill brush, even if the concrete is extremely dirty, as this may scratch the concrete or remove a chunk of it.
Use the Hose
A garden hose helps remove some caked-on dirt without damaging the statue. Set the hose to a jet or high-pressure setting to give the statue a gentler alternative to a power wash. If possible, place the statue in a clean area, such as on patio bricks, before hosing it down, otherwise rinsing it over soil or grass may result in splashes that deposit mud on the statue. Spray into crevices on the statue and hose it down from several angles to knock free loose debris and rinse dirt away. If the statue is painted, only hose it down if the paint is in good condition. The pressure from a hose can make flaking paint worse.
Household Cleaners
A general-purpose household cleaner safe for porous surfaces, such as grout, is also suitable for concrete statues. Choose your favorite earth-friendly natural or organic cleaner to avoid releasing toxins into the soil or ground near the statue. Make sure the label says it won't harm plants. Spray the cleaner directly on a wet statue, or mix some of the cleaner into a bucket of warm water, dipping a scrub brush into the water to scrub dirt and grime off the statue.
Cold-Weather Care
To prevent the statue from cracking or breaking, do not wash it if the temperature may drop near or below freezing. Concrete absorbs moisture, so water within it may freeze, expand and crack the statue. Move the statue to a protected area, such as a garage, if you're concerned about potential wintertime cracking or damage.
The Drip Cap
- A concrete statue outdoors weathers and becomes dirtier over time, which adds to its character.
- Harsh chemicals can also harm your plants.
- A toothbrush reaches into crevices and details and allows you to dry-scrub these areas without harming the concrete.
- If the statue is small and lightweight, lift it and brush off the base.
- Don't use a wire brush or grill brush, even if the concrete is extremely dirty, as this may scratch the concrete or remove a chunk of it.