Moss and algae can quickly overtake a patio or porch, leaving slimy green stains on your garden surfaces which can be difficult to remove no matter how much you scrub
Spring has sprung, and as people flock outdoors to bask in the season or tackle grimy garden patios long left unattended, a common adversary emerges. Moss and algae have a knack for invading these outdoor spaces, leaving behind unsightly green blotches that refuse to be scrubbed away easily.
Yet, the paving connoisseurs at Beesley and Fildes divulge that to bid farewell to the verdant nuisance, there’s no need for the roar of a pressure washer or the fumes from harsh chemicals. Instead, they reveal that mundane household essentials, likely already at your disposal, will do the trick.
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They clarified: “Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need any fancy products to clean a patio without a pressure washer. In fact, one of the most effective patio cleaning products is good old-fashioned washing-up liquid mixed with warm tap water.”
How to exterminate algae and moss off your patio
Common dish soap barrels through green stains thanks to its surfactant prowess, which dismantles the moss’s protective coat when merged with water.
Your arsenal? Merely warm water, your chosen brand of dish soap, a bucket, and a stiff-bristled brush, reports the Express.
Kick-off by squirting your dish soap into the bucket and infuse it with warm water until suds abound, then commence your cleansing crusade.
With flourish, the expert said: “Starting from the corners, splash a little water, grab your brush and scrub.
“You should be able to see the dirt and debris lift and rinse away as you go [but] remember to scrub diagonally; this will be gentler on the jointing compound and less will come out during cleaning.”
As you continue this method across the entire patio, the result should be a clean surface free of algae and moss.
After brushing down the whole area, it’s a good idea to fill your bucket once more, toss the contents over the patio to wash off the grimy water, leaving your outdoor space looking fresh.
For those needing a more potent mix for their outdoor cleaning efforts, try adding white vinegar to soapy water, which works wonders in lifting persistent algae and moss without any hassle.
Beesley and Fildes endorse this as the premier natural method for those aspiring to an “environmentally-friendly, non-toxic and non-chemical” approach to patio care.
The specialist commented: “Tailored to tough cleaning jobs, you’ll want to opt for the white vinegar patio cleaning method if you are freshening up a very dirty patio or removing dirt from high traffic outdoor areas.”
Just a word of caution though – steer clear of using this technique on limestone flags since the acid will inflict permanent damage to their finish.
