Mrs Hinch fans praise easy way to get ivy off walls – and it won’t cost a thing
FANS of the cleaning guru Mrs Hinch have praised an easy way to get ivy off a wall – and it doesn’t cost a penny.
The climbing plant is notoriously difficult to get rid of as it uses tendrils to stick fast to any surface while a waxy coating covers the leaves, making it resistant to a lot of treatments.
However, followers of the Mrs Hinch fan page on Facebook have offered their tips and hacks after a member asked for advice on how to get rid of the plant.
Clare Humphries wrote: “Not really about cleaning but does anyone know how to remove ivy from a brick wall?”
The post attracted dozens of comments with most suggesting to cut the plant off at the base.
Melisa Gill said: “Just cut it off at the bottom, wait a week or so for it to die off then it should easily pull off.”
Janette Haig added some tips to this method, writing: “Use secateurs to cut all the ivy stems at the base. Some of it should come away if you pull it.
“Try to get as much of the ivy off, as you can, as when it dries out it is more difficult to remove.
“You then may need to use a wire brush to get it off when it is dry and dead as it still is attached fast.
“You need to then dig out the roots with a spade. Any bit of ivy left on top of the ground or on the surface of the ground will regrow.
“You may need several attempts, to clear it. It is a lot of work but worth it in the end.”
Phyllis Connolly Behan posted: “Cut it at the bottom and it will die, then pull it off. Good luck.”
While Paula Roberts suggested: “I just cut it from the bottom and pulled it off bit by bit. It never came back although I liked it but everyone else kept saying ivy pulls off the plaster.”
Sophie Claire Grayson advised: “We had some serious ivy. Cut it off as close to the bottom as you can and in a few weeks it will just die and drop off.
“You can pull it off too. Then you just need to regularly keep on top of it.”
Linda Flay contributed: “I think you are meant to cut it at the bottom and let it die back. There is less structural damage then.”
There were a number of other suggestions from Mrs Hinch fans, including pouring vinegar onto it, as well as boiling water, bleach and a garden hoe.
Sandra Prescott commented: “Vinegar is the best way. Pour it into the roots and let it do its stuff.”
Oz Oz chipped in with: “Be careful when you remove it. When we cut ours, it was full of pollen or dust but we didn’t even attempt it without a mask or old clothes.
“Boiling water and a white vinegar mix apparently kills it. Sometimes it can make a fence or wall unsafe because of the moisture it takes out of the wood or brick so be careful.”
Liz Keenan said: “Bleach, cut it then pour it over it. That’s how I got mine off.”
Elizabeth Griffiths wrote: “My husband helped take a lot of ivy off a house wall by getting a garden hoe and scraping it off. It’s hard work but it did the job.”
It comes after Mrs Hinch, also known as Sophie Hinchliffe, gave fans a sneak peek into her secret second kitchen at Hinch farm.
The social media influencer has also revealed there is a new addition to the family and their dog is already a big fan.