how to clean lava rock

In recent years, there has been a meteoric rise in the number of people using lava rock in their landscaping projects. There are a lot of positive aspects that come along with utilizing volcanic rocks, in addition to the fact that having them in your yard looks really fantastic.

They offer almost all of the benefits that are associated with mulch, yet they mix in naturally with many different styles of landscaping. They won’t decompose and provide your plants with nutrients, but they’ll be around for far longer than you will be!

In addition to this, they are not as heavy as the other stones that can be used for patios.

The porosity of lava rock is the characteristic that is responsible for almost all of the advantages possessed by this type of rock.

The stone is able to retain water and air for a considerable amount of time due to the numerous tiny crevices and holes across its surface. Regrettably, this can add to difficulties in maintaining the rocks’ pristine appearance over extended periods of time.

They take in dust and grime much more readily than your typical smooth landscaping stone or tiny grade gravel, but fortunately, you can clear this off by just rinsing them off.A little bit of care from the garden hose or some regular rain can go a long way toward maintaining their “like-new” appearance.

On the other hand, they are often quite effective at encouraging the growth of fungi, moss, and algae. Those who have lava rocks have most likely encountered this problem and have felt some level of frustration while attempting to effectively clean the rocks, particularly when doing so without resorting to the use of strong chemicals or replacing the rocks.

Let’s take a look at some of the simplest and most effective ways to maintain your lava rocks looking their best, regardless of the type of vegetation that has taken root on them.

How to Clean Lava Rock?

The use of lava rock has recently experienced a meteoric rise in popularity. Your humble home might look more put together with the addition of lava rock. It does a better job than the usual garden stone of capturing dust. As a direct consequence of this, you will have an easier time removing the dirt by following a few basic procedures.

Cleaning Mosses

The stones made of volcanic lava have a porous texture. Because of this, water is prevented from escaping from the pores and mosses are able to grow. If you don’t appreciate the mosses that grow on lava rock like many other people do, then remove them.

Materials Required

• Copper sulfate
• Iron Sulfate
• Ferrous ammonium sulfate
• Bleach
• Water
• Protective glasses
• Gloves
• Garden sprayer

Step 1: Use Moss Controller

You can use a chemical moss controller to get rid of the mosses and prevent further buildups from occurring.

1. Make use of active substances such as ferrous ammonium sulfate, copper sulfate, and iron sulfate. Follow the instructions on the packet and make sure the ingredients are thoroughly combined.
2. Before you begin to mix the active substances, ensure your safety by donning protective gear such as goggles and gloves. Mix it outdoor.
3. Applying the concoction to the mosses by means of a garden sprayer is recommended.
4. Put it to the side and proceed to the following stage.

Step 2: Clean The Dead Moss

The mosses perish after being abandoned for a few moments. Utilizing a scrapper, get rid of the dead moss. For the purpose of removing the dead moss, you can make use of a garden fork.

1. Utilizing either a garden fork or a garden rake, remove the dead moss from the ground.
2. Rake the ground thoroughly to remove the top layer, also known as the thatch layer, which is beneficial to the growth of moss.
3. After the thatch layer has been removed, the rock should be washed using a power washer. Be wary if the rock has been painted or embellished in any way.
4. Manually remove any mosses that are still present. It will prevent the mosses from returning to their previous location.

Cleaning Barbeque Residue from Lava Rock

Since lava rocks can keep the fire going for a longer period of time, they are frequently used in barbecues. When used for barbecuing, lava rock frequently becomes grimy and greasy. Before you use it again, it is necessary to give it a thorough cleaning.

Materials Required

• Aluminum Foil
• Barbeque Tongs

Step 1: Heat The Lava Rock

When there is not enough lava rock to use, remove it from the area. Flip it over and place the fatty side down on the grate of the grill.Wrap it with aluminum foil to ensure that the heat is distributed uniformly throughout the item.

Start the grill, then step away from it for the next half an hour. The muck and grease will be removed without any difficulty. When it comes time to take the food off the grill.

Open up the aluminum foil once it has cooled down, and you will be ready for the next grilling session.

Cleaning Mold

Mold is one of the items that has the potential to cause damage to the lava rock. Mold has the potential to compromise the stability of the rock’s top layer. Mold that forms in close proximity to plants can be detrimental to their health.

If the lava rock is stored in a damp environment, then it needs to be cleaned on a consistent basis.

Materials Required

• Cutters
• Disinfectant or fungicide
• Pressure washer
• Gloves and eyeglasses as protective gear

Step 1: Make sure the area is clean so that sunlight can enter.

Mold can only thrive in dark environments. The presence of sunlight in the region will prevent the mold from growing.

1. Remove any unwanted twigs and branches that are close to the flower bed.
2. The next step is to cut low-lying branches using cutters and high-hanging branches with tree trimmers.
3. In order to eliminate the mold completely, a fungicide should be applied to it. The application of it will not be harmful to the trees and plants in the area.

Killing the mold and preventing further growth of mold will both be accomplished by the technique.

Step 2: Remove Moisture Source

Molds, which can be caused by excess moisture, are potentially hazardous to the neighboring plants. In order to save the plants, the molds need to be removed as soon as possible.

• Take apart the plumbing that’s attached to the flower bed. It will prevent access to the source of the moisture.
• Encourage drainage and distribute the water supply to areas that are dry.

The accumulation of mods in the future will be avoided as a result. You also have the option of employing the services of a cleaning company or making use of a pressure washer.

Cleaning Algae 

When there is an abundance of a particular nutrient, algae will begin to proliferate. It is very likely that algae will grow on lava rock if it is stored in aquariums or in close proximity to bodies of water.

The process of removing algae from lava rock is broken down into the following parts.

Materials Required

• Spray bottle
• Bleaching powder
• Bowl of water
• Sandpaper
• Paper towels

Step 1: Use Paper Towels

1. If the aquarium contains lava rock, you should wipe it off with some paper towels to dry it off.
2. If you don’t have any paper towels at home, you can soak up the extra moisture using a newspaper instead.
3. The next step is to scrape away the layer of algae with a clean toothbrush.

If the water is allowed to evaporate, there will be no accumulation of filth on the lava rock because of this.

Step 2: Make a DIY Cleaning Solution

A do-it-yourself treatment can be used to clear the buildup of algae on lava rock that has occurred over time.

1. Combine bleach and water in proportions that are equal to one another.
2. This process should be carried out in a room that has enough ventilation while wearing gloves and a mask.
3. The mixture should be sprayed onto the rocks. If you adorned the rocks with paint, you should try applying the paint to one of the rocks in order to determine whether or not the paint will come off.
4. If everything seems to be in order, proceed to apply the solution on the remaining rocks. Just give it a minute and a half.

When bleaching agent is combined with water, chlorine gas is produced, which assists in the eradication of algae.

Step 3: Stop the Water Source

On the surface of the rock, algae will begin to bloom whenever there is an active supply of water or moisture present. Therefore, cutting off the algae’s water supply will eliminate the problem.

1. If you don’t have any bleaching powder at home, you can lay the lava rocks out on a towel and let the sun naturally dry them for a full day.
2. After all of the moisture has evaporated from the rock, it will be much simpler to clean. The nutrients that the algae need come from the water and the moisture in the air. The algae will perish as soon as the surface begins to dry off.
3. Sandpaper or garden rock can be used to give the surface of the lava rock a strong scrubbing.

After giving it a thorough cleaning, place the rock in the container designated for fish. The growth of algae can result in eutrophication, which in turn can be detrimental to the aquatic life found in an aquarium.

Maintenance of Lava Rocks

The old adage that “an ounce of care can save a pound of time” still holds true today. This indicates that you will save both time and money if you take measures to avoid the rocks becoming dirty in the first place.

Cleaning lava rocks on a regular basis will prevent the growth of moss and algae and is the only required care for lava rocks.

• Check the rocks at regular intervals, and remove any weed growth that you find there if necessary. It will allow for more airflow and sunlight to penetrate the rock.
• Clear away the dead leaves and other debris from the rocks, as this encourages the growth of molds. To clear away debris, you can make use of a leaf blower or a brush.
• When you change the water in the fish aquarium, put the lava rocks outside so that the sun can warm them. This will result in the death of the algae, and after giving it a thorough washing, you will be able to place it back in the aquarium.
• The pressure washer was used to remove the dust and debris that was on the rocks. This will assist in the thorough cleaning of the rock’s summit as well as its fissures.

You can refer to this lava rock care handbook if you need assistance maintaining the lava rocks in your possession.

Benefits of Lava Rock

Lava Rock for Grilling

The use of lava rock for cooking is completely safe, and it also helps the fire pit function more efficiently. It takes less time to grill when using lava rock since it is able to radiate more heat into the gas burner.

The even heating of the grill that is produced by the use of lava rocks results in more even grilling of the meat.

Lava Rock for Aquarium

The lava rock in the aquarium creates a habitat that is perfect for the fish that live there. Because of their high porosity, lava rocks allow water to easily travel through them and become distributed throughout.

Because of this, the atmosphere within the rocks becomes oxygen-free. Denitrifying bacteria can be found inside rocks, where they break down nitrates into nitrogen and oxygen.

As a result, it promotes oxygen circulation in the water, which is beneficial to the aquatic life found in the aquarium.

Lava Rock for Garden

A splash of color is added to the overall design of the garden by using lava rock. By placing lava rock close to flower beds, you can avoid soil erosion while still allowing nutrients to reach the plants.

The presence of lava rock in a garden significantly reduces the amount of water that is required for plants, as the lava rocks absorb moisture that can be used to the advantage of the flower plants that are located nearby.