If you’ve noticed your patio is covered in disgusting green stains, no need to worry – a gardening expert has revealed an incredibly cheap trick to banish the gunk for good
With the sun finally showing its face, it’s the perfect time to flake out in our gardens. The only downside? More of us are noticing unsightly green stains on our patios.
With summer around the corner, you’re probably planning outdoor dinner parties, barbecues and even just getting to kick back and relax with a glass of Pimms. However, nothing will ruin that vision faster than a slimy, green patio. Not only does it look awful, green stains can be near-impossible to remove. Fortunately, experts have come up with a cheap trick to banish the gunk completely. But why do they turn green in the first place?
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One major culprit is moss. Although the furry green plant makes for pretty scenery in a woodland or on a riverbed, it poses a common issue in UK gardens.
As a non-flowering plant that reproduces via spores, it can spread to new locations quite easily. And, unfortunately, your patio provides a surprisingly hospitable environment for these spores to latch onto.
Most stone patios are porous, which means they hold onto small amounts of water quite easily. This means that when they become waterlogged, it provides a prime environment for moss to grow.
It’s a problem that often appears after the gloomy UK winter, as the cold, wet conditions provide ideal growing conditions for the green plant. Equally, if your patio is covered, this also puts it at risk, as moss thrives in the shade.
Aside from making your garden look dirty, an overgrowth of moss can pose a threat to your safety. The plant’s fuzzy green leaves become slippery in the rain, which means you could be in for a nasty fall if you don’t watch where you’re going.
They can also attract insects like fungus gnats, who are drawn to damp environments. The larvae of these greedy bugs are known to cause damage to young plants, putting your garden plants at risk.
Even worse, aside from bringing unwanted visitors, moss can cause costly structural damage to your patio. This is because it can penetrate pre-existing cracks and crevices in the stone, worsening the issue.
How do you remove green patio stains?
Gardening experts recommend using vinegar to clean your patio. This is because it is highly acidic, which makes it effective at destroying moss.
Fiona Jenkins from MyJobQuote.co.uk advises: “Create a mixture of one part water and one part white vinegar. Place this mixture in a spray bottle so that you can easily spread it across the entire surface area.”
She explains that once you have sprayed the mixture onto the affected area, you should leave it to sit for a while. Then, you should scrub the area with a stiff brush, before hosing your patio tiles down.
While you likely have vinegar lying around at home, don’t fret if not. You can pick up a litre of Sainsbury’s distilled vinegar for just 35p.