Heritage
Approved Cleaning for Listed Buildings & Historic Structures

Heritage dry ice blasting is approved for use on Listed Buildings and historic structures where chemical or abrasive cleaning methods are not permitted. Our process complies with Historic England guidance, preserves original historic fabric, and reveals original stone colour without bleaching or staining.

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What we clean

Surfaces we've taken
down to honest metal.

Listed Building StoneworkChurch & Cathedral StoneworkGrade I & II Building FacadesSculpture & MonumentsTimber Frame Buildings

How it compares

→Unlike chemical poultice treatments, dry ice blasting does not risk bleaching, staining, or introducing soluble salts that cause long-term deterioration of historic stone
→Unlike pressure washing, the dry process does not damage soft historic stone types (Clipsham, Bath, Cotswold limestone) where water pressure causes erosion and surface loss
→Unlike sandblasting or grit blasting, dry ice is non-abrasive — it does not erode carved detail, tooled surfaces, or the hard outer skin (patina) of historic stone that took centuries to form
→Unlike hand cleaning with brushes and chemicals, dry ice blasting achieves faster, more consistent results with no risk of mechanical damage from tool contact

Method · in detail

№ 01: Approved for use on Listed Buildings and scheduled ancient monuments
№ 02: No chemical damage to historic stone fabric — no bleaching, staining, or salt contamination
№ 03: Precision application to specific soiled areas without overblasting adjacent clean stone
№ 04: Complies with Historic England guidance on appropriate stone cleaning methods
№ 05: Reveals original stone colour and texture without altering the historic character

Heritage projects are undertaken in consultation with conservation architects and planning authorities where required. We are familiar with the consent requirements for cleaning Listed Buildings and can support applications where planning permission for cleaning work is needed.

Common questions

Things people ask first.

Q · 01: Can dry ice blasting be used on Grade I Listed Buildings?
Yes. Dry ice blasting is considered an appropriate cleaning method for Listed Buildings by conservation professionals and is used on many of the UK's most important historic structures. For scheduled works to Listed Buildings, appropriate planning consent may be required — we recommend consulting your conservation architect and local authority conservation officer before undertaking any cleaning work.
Q · 02: Does dry ice blasting remove original patina from historic stone?
Dry ice blasting is selective in what it removes — it dislodges soiling, biological growth, and pollution crust without removing the underlying patina of the stone itself. Results depend on pressure settings and the specific stone type. We always undertake test patches on inconspicuous areas before full treatment to assess results.
Q · 03: Will Historic England or English Heritage approve this method?
Historic England does not issue approvals for specific cleaning contractors, but their guidance documents recognise dry ice blasting as an appropriate method for heritage cleaning. Approval for specific projects rests with the local planning authority's conservation officer. We are familiar with this process and can support your application with technical documentation if required.
Q · 04: Is dry ice blasting safe on soft limestone and sandstone?
Yes, when used at appropriate pressures. Soft stone types such as Bath stone, Clipsham limestone, and many sandstones require lower operating pressures than harder granites. We adjust our equipment settings for the specific stone on each project and conduct test patches to verify the approach before any full-scale cleaning.