I'm a gardening pro – how to clean your patio & banish moss & algae for under £5 | The Sun
FROM unruly hedges to out-of-control weeds, we're all guilty of letting the garden become somewhat neglected over the winter months.
And by the time spring comes round, it can feel like a mammoth task to get it back to a space that you'd be happy to spend time in.
This includes the patio, which can be impacted by a whole host of pesky problems, including moss and algae.
Thankfully, there are some simple, effective and affordable ways to tackle the issue.
Here, gardening expert Fiona Jenkins at the UK’s leading trades matching site Myjobquote.co.uk shares her top tips…
Prevent the problem
There are certain things you can do to limit moss growth in the first place – something to bear in mind for next year if it's too late now.
MORE HOME AND GARDEN
We built budget bogs in garden like the Beckhams – they’re a godsend
I’m a gardening expert – these houseplants stop mould and condensation
Firstly, you'll need to invest in an outside broom, which can be bought for as little as £4, like this one from B&M.
Fiona says: "Always keep the patio clean. Don’t allow leaves, dirt, or debris to build up on the patio.
"Clean the surface of the patio weekly with a blower or a broom."
Also, keep the patio as dry as possible.
Most read in Fabulous
I'm known as 'Greggs on legs'…I went to the outlet shop and was left stunned
My daughter’s school said she drew an inappropriate pig – I can’t see the issue
I’m a traveller and here is how I get my living room sparkling
My dad was a famous 80s popstar, he gave us unique baby names & took it too far
7Fiona adds: "Don’t allow water to stand on the surface.
"Remove standing water with a blower or broom as soon as you can.
"This is particularly important in areas that are shaded, and always make sure water can run off the patio effectively.
"Also, remove any new moss quickly. As soon as you start to see any green growths, remove them.
"If you leave moss, it will grow quickly and take root in the joints. This then makes it more difficult to remove."
42p simple solution
If moss has already taken over and is out of control, don't despair.
You don't need to spend a fortune, as bleach can be used an effective solution – with this Asda essentials two litre bottle costing just 42p.
Fiona says: "Firstly, use a stiff broom to sweep as much of the moss off the surface of the patio as you can.
"You may need to use a smaller scrub brush in smaller areas or in tight corners."
If needed, you can purchase a brush from most supermarkets or hardware stores, with this soft grip brush from Wilko for example costing just 65p.
Fiona adds: "Blow or sweep all of the debris from the surface and dispose of it.
"Mix a solution of one part bleach and five parts water in a bucket.
"Pour this solution over the surface of the patio and agitate it with a stiff broom.
"If needed, use a hard-bristled brush in the joints to scrub the solution in.
"Be careful not to disturb any of the joint sand.
"Then, rinse the entire area with clean water and allow the patio to dry."
You are my sunshine
The least expensive and easiest method of preventing and removing moss is exposing it to sunlight.
Fiona says: "If there are obstacles such as cars or furniture that may be causing shadows and shaded areas on your patio, move these.
"Also, prune nearby shrubs and trees – this will allow as much sunlight as possible to shine on the patio.
"Moss doesn’t grow in dry, sun-soaked areas so simply allowing the sun to shine on your patio could be all you need to prevent the growth of moss and algae."
Reach boiling point
Moss can easily be tamed and removed with the use of boiling water too.
Fiona says: "Simply pour boiling water over the affected areas to help kill the moss.
"This natural option is great as it won’t really have any effect any nearby plants.
"You may need to follow up the boiling water with a good scrub with a stiff broom.
"Then, simply wash away the debris with some clean water!"
Just add vinegar
Vinegar is also great for getting rid of moss and algae, and costs as little as 40p from supermarkets like Sainsbury's.
This method may take a few tried before you notice a big difference however.
Fiona says: "Create a mixture of equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle.
Spray the solution over the surface of the patio, ensuring that it is well saturated – be careful not to get the solution on any nearby plants.
"Give the mixture some time to soak into the area and leave it for at least 15 minutes.
"Then, use a stiff brush or broom to scrub the area.
"Remove and dispose of any debris and then hose the area to give it a good final clean."
Under pressure
Finally, if you already have a pressure washer, this is one of the best ways to remove moss and algae from the patio.
However, this is only an affordable technique if you already know someone who owns one, or you could also borrow one using a neighbourhood app.
It's more expensive if you need to purchase one, with the cheapest costing upwards of £50.
Fiona adds: "Simply pressure wash the surface of the patio to remove all of the visible moss.
"Pressure washing may cause movement of the joint sand however.
Read More on The Sun
People are just realizing Google logo ‘mistake’ – hawk-eyed people can see it
I won dream £60,000 car in a raffle… but a shocking twist meant I couldn’t keep it
"If so, you may need to replace the joint sand between the paving stones.
"Pressure washing and sealing your patio is a great way to remove all of the moss and algae and get your patio looking as good as new."
Source: Read Full Article