Material
Brick
Brick needs cleaning methods matched to its finish, construction and tolerance for water, heat, acids, alkalis, solvents, bleach and abrasion.
- SurfacePorous
- WashingSpot only
- Colour run riskMedium
- Reviewed2 September 2026
What brick can and cannot take
- Heat Use with care
- Water and soaking Tolerates it
- Acids, including vinegar Avoid
- Strong alkalis Use with care
- Solvents Use with care
- Chlorine bleach Use with care
- Abrasives Avoid
Always test on a hidden area first and let it dry before you treat the visible mark.
General rules for brick
Identify the exact material and finish before treatment. Start with a dry lift or blot, then use minimal moisture only where the recorded water sensitivity permits it. Stop if colour, gloss, texture, shape or adhesion changes.
Check the label
Identify the brick, mortar, coating and age. Historic, soft, glazed and engineering bricks do not share one cleaning limit.
Stains on brick
- Blood Blot first, then use cold water and a tiny amount of compatible detergent. Work from the edge, rinse or blot...
- Body oil Lift free oil from brick, then clean a small area with a maker-approved mild detergent solution and a soft cl...
- Breast milk Blot the spill, identify the finish and use a controlled cold clean only where permitted. Where the maker per...
- Coffee Wipe coffee off brick promptly with a soft cloth. Check the finish and maker care rules first. Do not treat a...
- Cooking grease Contain cooking grease on Brick, lift and absorb it before a small cool detergent wash, keep run-off out of d...
- Hair dye Blot hair dye from Brick, test the mildest compatible cool detergent route, clean inwards, remove residue and...
- Motor oil Contain motor oil on Brick, absorb it before washing, keep run-off out of drains and use only a compatible la...
- Nail polish Lift free polish gently if the face permits contact. A maker-approved mild damp wipe can clear loose residue,...
- Period blood Lift any tissue with a spoon edge, then blot. Use cold water and a tiny amount of compatible detergent for th...
- Pet urine Blot until nearly dry, then use only the cool-water quantity brick can tolerate. Use a labelled pet urine enz...
- Tomato sauce Lift tomato sauce from Brick, then wipe or blot inwards with a tested cool detergent solution. Remove residue...
Brick can be damaged by a cleaner that is harmless on another material. Identify the exact fibre, coating, finish, care code and construction before treatment.
Start with the least aggressive route
Use the smallest practical amount of moisture and the mildest compatible cleaner. Work from the edge of a mark towards the centre, lift rather than spread residue, and keep liquids out of seams, backings, joints and unfinished edges.
Judge only when dry
A remaining patch may be stain residue, dye loss, finish change or material damage. Stop if a hidden test changes colour, gloss, texture, shape or adhesion.
Sources
What we checked and when. Where a manufacturer instruction disagrees with anything here, follow the manufacturer.
-
Brick Industry Association cleaning brickwork technical note
trade body
Brick trade body technical note covers oil and tar stains, warns that abrasive blasting and high-pressure water can etch masonry and mortar, and requires cleaning methods and chemicals to be matched and pretested.
Checked 2 September 2026
-
Thomas Armstrong block paving maintenance guidance
manufacturer
Concrete paving manufacturer guidance recommends prompt absorption of oil, soapy water, controlled brushing and thorough rinsing, while warning that acids etch and alter pigments and that pressure washing can damage surfaces and remove jointing sand.
Checked 2 September 2026