Moss can be difficult to get rid of, but an expert said one very common kitchen item will do the job (Image: nojustice via Getty Images)
While moss can add a charming, rustic character to a garden, it presents a real safety risk, substantially raising the likelihood of slips and falls when it establishes itself on patios. The hazard becomes more acute during spring, as it builds up into a thick, slippery coating throughout the colder months, staying dangerously wet during spring’s persistent rainfall.
The most persuasive reason to remove it swiftly, though, is that moss traps moisture on surfaces, which can lead stone patios to crack or wooden ones to decay if left continuously damp. While most householders turn to a hose or pressure washer, landscape designer Mary Stone has warned against this method. Mary told the Express: “I once used a power washer, which is risky for damaging the stone. Then there’s the ick factor of scum kicking back at you.”
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Moss can be a slipping hazard and begin harming patios once spring begins (Image: Getty)
She added: “The power washing outcome was clean centers of each stone, while the areas near the joints remained green. Not so pretty.”
What is the most effective way to eliminate moss?
Moss is a rootless plant that survives by dispersing its spores into cracks and joints, but if any tiny fragment remains, it will regrow remarkably rapidly, reports The Mirror.
Pressure washing often proves unsuccessful at removing moss from patios, as it fails to extract spores lodged deep within the joints, meaning it generally returns within merely a few weeks.
There’s no need to spend hours scrubbing your patio or reaching for harsh chemical moss killers, as one of the most powerful remedies is simply applying washing-up liquid directly to the affected area.
Mary explained: “A good old soapy water mix made from three tablespoons of biodegradable dish soap (free of harmful bleach or fragrance) to one gallon of warm water, can do the trick. Be sure to use a plastic or natural-bristle deck brush; never a metal brush, as it will scratch.”
Your patio will be completely clear and moss-free without needing a harsh chemical solution (Image: Getty)Why does washing-up liquid stop moss from coming back?
It may sound too simple, but washing-up liquid efficiently breaks down the waxy protective layer on moss, swiftly dehydrating the spores and causing them to die off.
Washing-up liquid seeps deep into moss, reaching spores concealed within patio surfaces to eradicate every last trace and halt regrowth throughout the spring months.
How to tackle patio moss using washing-up liquid
Simply mix washing-up liquid with warm water in a bucket and pour the solution directly onto the moss.
Allow it to sit for several hours, giving the mixture ample time to break down the moss and dry it out entirely – at which point it should look completely dead.
Take a stiff brush or broom to sweep away the dried moss. Once complete, rinse the area thoroughly with clean water or a hosepipe to dilute the washing-up liquid, avoiding any potential damage to surrounding plants or grass.
Your patio ought to now be immaculately clean, accomplished using an affordable product that presents no danger to your garden.
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