Gardeners have been using white vinegar to remove patio algae for years, but many are now ditching the method after finding a better way that uses a £1 natural item
Your patio algae could be a thing of the past with this “very effective” cleaning hack.
Algae and moss can build up quickly in between patio tiles and paving slabs during the winter months, as wet and cold weather makes the unsightly green substance thrive. Cleaning the unsightly green substance when it appears is vital as it can damage your stonework and can even be a safety hazard due to how slippery it is, and with spring now in full swing and warmer weather on the way, there’s no better time to banish algae and moss for good.
Thankfully, there’s an easy way to effectively get rid of the unwanted growth using a natural cleaning product that will only cost you around £1 – soda crystals.
According to cleaning expert Colin Seymour, he was able to completely remove the green stains caused by algae from his concrete balcony in just one week by using soda crystals instead of harsh chemicals, the Express reports.
He said: “I’ve been using soda crystals for various things around the house including stretching our washing powder, cleaning drains, removing grease and general cleaning for a long time. Now I have another use: removing moss from paths, balconies, patios and verandas in an affordable and environmentally friendly way.”
Colin explained there are two ways you can use soda crystals to clear moss and algae from your patio – either by sprinkling it onto your patio after it has rained, or by mixing the crystals with water in a watering can and pouring it over the surface. The expert said both methods were “very effective”, but believed he got slightly better results when sprinkling the crystals on his patio after it had rained.
He added: “I tested two methods: liberally sprinkle the soda crystals onto the wet balcony and create a strong solution and sprinkle using a watering can. Both proved to be very effective with the dry sprinkling onto the wet balcony probably being ever so slightly more effective on the first application as there would have been a higher concentration in spots than with the solution.”
Soda crystals cost around £2 for a 1kg bag from supermarkets such as Asda and Sainsbury’s. However, Savers sell the same-sized bag for just £1.79, and if you’re willing to shop around and buy online, you can find them for as little as 95p at Mega Retailer. Colin explained: “Soda crystals cost about £1 a kg which is way cheaper than the commercial chemical moss removers.”
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