The addition of an asphalt driveway can be a great way to make your home more accessible. Asphalt looks great when it is first installed, but these driveway surfaces can become stained if they are not properly maintained over time.

If you are hoping to keep your asphalt driveway stain-free, here are three simple tips to keep in mind as you care for your driveway in the future.

1. Don't use a pressure washer to clean your driveway.

Cleaning your asphalt driveway regularly can be a great way to prevent stains from setting in, but it's important that you are taking the time to clean your driveway properly if you want to keep it stain-free. It is acceptable to rinse the surface of your asphalt driveway with water in order to prevent it from becoming too dirty, but you should avoid using a pressure washer to clean your driveway.

The highly-pressurized stream of water generated by these machines could potentially drive stain-causing substances into the porous surface of the asphalt. Avoid the use of a pressure washer on your driveway to help eliminate stains in the future.

2. Clean spills from the surface of your driveway quickly.

Because asphalt is a porous material, any contaminants that come into contact with the surface of your driveway have the potential to become integrated into the structure of the asphalt where they can create stains.

Taking the time to clean any spills that occur on your driveway as quickly as possible will ensure these spills don't have time to seep into your driveway's porous asphalt. Rinsing off oil, vehicle fluids, and other contaminants quickly will help to keep your asphalt driveway stain-free.

3. Use vinegar to get rid of stubborn stains.

If you notice that the surface of your asphalt driveway is stained, you can eliminate these stains by scrubbing them with some distilled vinegar. Just dilute a bit of vinegar in warm water, then use a soft brush to scrub the stained area in a circular motion.

The vinegar will help to disinfect the stain, eliminating the molecules that contribute to staining. Cleaning your asphalt driveway regularly with vinegar will ensure no stains mar the surface of your driveway in the future.

Keeping your asphalt driveway looking clean will ensure that your home's curb appeal remains intact. Avoid the use of a pressure washer, clean up spills quickly, and scrub stains with a vinegar solution to keep your asphalt driveway stain-free in the future. You can talk with a company like Azzarelli Paving & Site Development for more information.