My trick for removing moss from patios costs just 65p – you won’t have to scrub
WITH the weather finally starting to warm up, more of us will be venturing into our gardens and making plans to host family and friends in our outside spaces.
But many people will understand the frustration of looking out over a patio that was well-maintained last summer, but which is now covered in nasty green moss.
If this resonates with you, then fear not.
A gardening expert has come to the rescue and revealed a simple hack to return your space to the way it was before the winter we’ve just had.
Fiona Jenkins from MyJobQuote.co.uk told The Sun: “With very little effort, you can get your patio looking clean and inviting once again.
“All you need to remove the moss is a little baking soda.”
At The Range, you can pick up a 500g-pack of baking soda – also known as “bicarbonate of soda” – for £1.49.
At Asda, you get a 200-g pack for 65p.
Fiona said: “Baking soda is a clever little item you can use to remove the green.
“Simply sprinkle some over the affected area and leave it overnight.
“Then, the next day, all you need to do is sweep away the remnants.”
While you can try this trick at any time, it’s worth waiting for a time when the sun is shining.
Fiona added: “Baking soda works best on dry days.”
This household cupboard staple is a good weapon against moss because it’s a mild alkali.
As moss thrives in slightly acidic conditions, and the baking soda raises the pH level, it creates an environment in which moss can’t grow.
“It’s pretty easy to apply,” said Fiona. “And as this doesn’t involve you using chemicals, this is an eco-friendly way to eradicate moss.”
Not only this, but it also costs less.
The green-fingered expert added: “This non-toxic home-made option will save you the expense of shop-bought products.”
As well as being an affordable way to clean your patio, baking soda can also be an effective way to clean both wooden and plastic patio furniture – and your fences, too.
Fiona said: “The brilliant thing about baking soda is that it is a versatile product.”
But it’s not the only household product you can use to shift moss.
“Another way to get rid of the green is by carefully pouring boiling water over the area,” said Fiona.
“Be sure to cover every part of the moss. Once you’ve done this, scrub the affected area with a stiff brush.
“Having loosened the moss, you can then wash away the debris with a hose.”
Other tricks to remove stubborn moss
If you have especially stubborn moss marks on your paving, Fiona has another clever hack up her sleeve.
“You can use a mixture of half vinegar and half water to remove those marks,” said the gardening whizz.
“Place the mixture in a spray bottle so you can easily spread the mixture across the entire area.
“Leave it to sit, and then scrub the area with a stiff brush before hosing it down.”
At Dunelm, you can get a bamboo spray bottle for £2. At The Range, you can pick up a stiff wooden hand brush for £3.
Fiona said: “What I like about this home-made solution is the fact it’s chemical-free – and cheaper than a commercial product.”
If you’ve got access to one, a pressure washer can also be an effective way to remove moss.
Rather than buy one new – which could easily set you back more than £100 – check out forums on sites such as the Nextdoor app, to see if you can borrow one from a neighbour.
Alternatively, looking into hiring one. You can rent a pressure washer from B&Q for £99 for a weekend.
Club together with one or two other local households and you can split the cost.
“Spray the affected areas with high pressure water,” said Fiona.
“This is a great way to blast away the moss – and is also a great way to clean your paving.”
If you have weeds growing in any gaps in your patio, there are a few more clever hacks to get rid of them which also involve using household staples.
“You can easily deal with weeds with lemon,” said Fiona.
“The citric acid should kill the weed within a few days. Another option is to use salt.
“Spread it liberally over the weed and leave it there to work its magic.
“Take care not to sprinkle salt on the surrounding lawn or plants though, as this could kill off some of the grass or plants you want to keep.”
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