Gardens are often covered with black slimy spots and mossy stains.
We tend to spend more time in our gardens during the summer months. This is when we start to notice the jobs that need to be done in our backyards, and one common problem is dirty slabs and patios.
When patios and garden slabs get wet, they become a breeding ground for moss and algae. Moss and algae tend to be more common during the colder seasons, but British summers are very humid and often wet, which can cause these plant-like organisms to stick firmly to outdoor surfaces.
You might think that cleaning the patio requires a powerful pressure washer or a hard scrub, but there’s a household product that you probably already have in the cupboard that will do the job much cheaper.
Experts at Infinite Paving have said that baking soda kills moss and algae and prevents their growth.
They said: “One very unconventional yet very effective way of getting rid of unwanted paving weeds is by using bicarbonate of soda.
“When eradicating moss from your garden, bicarbonate of soda, or baking soda, is a very powerful substance that will get rid of the moss in no time.”
Baking soda might seem simple, but people often underestimate how useful it is for cleaning various areas around the home. According to the Express, it can kill both moss and algae.
Moss and algae can only live in an acidic environment, but baking soda is an alkaline product, so it raises the pH level on a surface, stopping them from growing.
Baking soda is also naturally absorbent and will suck all the moisture off a patio, which also dries them and makes it much harder for them to survive.
This is one of the easiest ways to kill moss and algae while also making a patio dryer and less acidic. There is no chance they will grow back for the rest of the summer.
How to remove moss and algae stuck to a patio
All you need to do is wait for a sunny day, and then give your patio a good sweep to help loosen the stains first.
Then, sprinkle a generous amount of dry baking soda on any mossy or algae-ridden patio areas.
Leave the baking soda alone to give it time to dry them out and raise the pH level. It should typically take 24 to 48 hours. You can keep applying baking soda during this time if you wish.
You will know it has worked when the moss or algae begins to turn brown, as that means it is dying.
Once it has completely dried up, the moss or algae should be easily removed by sweeping it with a broom. Use hot water to rinse your patio, and it should stay clean and stain-free for much longer.
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