The short answer
Professional stone cleaning by specialist systems typically costs roughly £40–£100 per square metre, depending on the method, the stone and how heavily soiled it is, with London and the South East at the higher end. The two main heritage-safe methods are DOFF — a low-pressure superheated steam system that lifts soiling, algae and old paint without harsh chemicals — and TORC, a gentle swirling vortex of low air pressure, water and a fine inert granulate used for more stubborn deposits. Both are designed to clean sandstone, limestone and other soft stone without abrading the surface, which aggressive jet washing or sandblasting can do. The price moves with access and scaffolding, the size of the area, and whether minor repointing or repair is bundled in.
Stone cleaning is as much about not damaging the stone as removing the dirt. The safe, heritage-appropriate methods cost more than a pressure wash for good reason. Figures below are typical UK ranges for guidance.
Typical UK figures
- Specialist stone cleaning~£40–£100 / m²
- DOFFsuperheated steam, low pressure
- TORCvortex + inert granulate
- Best forsandstone, limestone, soft stone
- Avoidharsh jetting / sandblasting on soft stone
DOFF and TORC, and why method matters
- DOFF: superheated water steam at low pressure removes biological growth, soiling and many paints and coatings without chemicals — gentle on the stone surface.
- TORC: a swirling low-pressure mix of air, water and a fine inert granulate, used for tougher deposits like carbon staining while staying controllable on soft stone.
- Why not pressure washing: high-pressure jetting and sandblasting can open the surface of sandstone and limestone, driving water in and speeding up decay.
- On older buildings: the method should suit the specific stone; what is safe on hard granite may damage soft sandstone.
| Item | Typical figure | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Specialist stone cleaning | ~£40–£100 / m² | varies by method, stone & soiling |
| DOFF system | superheated steam | low pressure, no harsh chemicals |
| TORC system | vortex granulate | for stubborn carbon staining |
| Access & scaffolding | added cost | drives façade-cleaning prices up |
Indicative UK ranges for guidance. Sources: MyBuilder and dswcleaning stone cleaning cost guides.
What changes the price
Beyond the method, the biggest cost drivers are access and scaffolding on a multi-storey façade, the size of the area (small jobs carry a minimum charge, so the per-square-metre rate is higher), and how heavily soiled or painted the stone is. It is often worth combining cleaning with any needed repointing or minor repair while the scaffold is up, since the access is the expensive part. As with all of this work, a quote should specify the method and the stone, not just a price per metre.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does stone cleaning cost in the UK?
Professional stone cleaning by specialist systems is typically around £40–£100 per square metre, depending on method, stone type, how soiled it is, and access. London and the South East tend to be at the higher end.
What is the difference between DOFF and TORC cleaning?
DOFF uses low-pressure superheated steam to lift soiling, algae and paint without chemicals, while TORC uses a gentle vortex of low air pressure, water and a fine inert granulate for more stubborn deposits. Both are designed to clean soft stone without abrading it.
Can I pressure wash sandstone or limestone?
High-pressure jetting and sandblasting can open the surface of soft sandstone and limestone, drawing in water and accelerating decay. Heritage-safe methods such as DOFF or TORC are normally recommended instead.
Sources & further reading
Figures on this page are typical UK ranges drawn from published sources and depend on your specific stonework. They are guidance, not a quotation.