Having a statue or sculpture in your yard or garden adds a great and elegant touch to any outdoor area. The weathered appearance of statues over time adds a sense of establishment and vintage appeal, but there comes a time when statues need to be cleaned and taken care of. Regular cleaning and maintenance of your outdoor items can help it to last longer and maintain its appearance (such as preventing cracks etc)
WHEN TO CLEAN YOUR STATUES:
Personally, recommend to do so every time you maintain your lawn. This allows you to create mental routine to maintain your garden aswell as making sure your statue is in good order. Be sure to check if the statue is stable and well supported on the ground and is not uneven- this can cause potential items falling down. Checking for cracks and slight damage is vital to prevent larger issues from arising such as bigger cracks; leading to moss/mould growth.
HOW TO CLEAN YOUR ITEMS:
Here is few tips in doing so:
1) Be very gentle- especially when scrubbing them. Too much force could lead to potential damage especially with stone items
2) Never use high-level power washer- use regular garden hose on a low setting
3) Use your household cleaners- it is more cost effective especially in modern times. Dishwashing liquid can do but if you have the money available, you can get cleaning products for specific material of your statues
TYPES OF MATERIALS & HOW TO CLEAN THEM:
Polyresin:
1) Rinse item with item to get rid of debris
2) Mix small amount of dish soap/liquid into warm water
3) Use soft sponge or cloth to wipe dirt off
4) Rinse with hose again
5) Use clean soft cloth to dry the item
Concrete:
1) Spray item with hose on low setting
2) Add some dish soap/liquid to warm water and mix them
3) Use soft sponge or cloth to scrub lightly
4) Lightly dry the statue with dry cloth or let the air dry if placed outdoors
Wood:
1) Use garden hose on low level
2) Mix dish liquid/soap with warm water & wash the sculpture in the direction of the wood grain
3) Rinse the statue with hose
4) Wipe statue with clean, dry towel. If light enough & able to do so, raise the item in the air to fully dry the item
5) Once dried, use protective wood paint coat (polyurethane or other types) to protect the wood
Marble:
1) Mix dish liquid/soap with warm water
2) Use soft cloth to wipe away debris from the statue
3) Rinse statue with garden hose
4) Dry statue with clean, dry towel- to prevent streak marks
Bronze:
1) Mix non-ionic cleaner, water and spot free dish soap/liquid together
2) Use soft cloth with the cleaning mix to wipe away debris.
3) Let the soap do it's work for 2-4 minutes then use hose to rinse the residue away
4) Dry statue with clean, dry cloth. Let it dry for 2-3 days to make sure the statue is completely dry
5) Use a scrub brush to apply wax to the statue. Let the wax dry for 20-30 minutes then use cloth to buff the statue for a great shine
HOW TO PROTECT STATUES FROM ELEMENT DAMAGE:
I get this question alot from my customers who months or a year later after purchase start to get some small problems with particular statue or pieces.
This process is completely natural and is not your fault.
All statues and sculptures regress and dull over time due to constant exposure to the elements. The weathered look created by that exposure is desired by some landscape enthusiasts because it offers a vintage and timeless look to gardens, patios, and other outdoor spaces. However, too much weathering can cause the statue to crack, grow moss or mildew, change colour, and deteriorate over time. To slow the weathering process down, applying a sealer (if unsure, message me for what type of sealer) on statues can help prolong and even prevent, if maintained consistently, damage caused by weathering. Before you apply a protective coating on your sculpture, be sure it is clean and completely dry. Use a soft brush or cloth to apply the sealer.
Lastly, keeping your statue clean is vital to preserve your item's longevity. It can be abit of work but much needed to keep your item from looking great year after year