Efflorescence is a common occurrence on new brick and mortar. This is a flakey white deposit that occurs when the moisture within the bricks and mortar comes to the surface. The liquid combines with additional minerals within the masonry. When the moisture dries, it leaves behind mineral deposits on the outside surfaces. Once the humidity level in the masonry is gone, efflorescence stops. However, the white deposits are still apparent until they are cleaned off. The fastest way to clean efflorescence from bricks and mortar is using a muriatic acid cleaning mixture.