Autumn is a favourite season for many, with the leaves turning beautiful shades of red, gold, and yellow before falling and adding a satisfying crunch to your lunchtime walks. However, despite its picturesque nature, this season can bring some undesirable effects to your outdoor space.
From leaves cluttering up your garden beds to making your patio slippery and paving stones hazardous – especially for those with mobility issues – they are something you’ll want to spend time collecting.
This task has a key benefit: decomposed leaves make a potent soil conditioner that experts like Monty Don endorse.
But, it’s crucial to tackle this gardening job before the fallen leaves start causing another issue on your patio: moss and algae stains.
“Fallen leaves during autumn can cause significant problems for your patio or decking,” warns Steven Walley, an outdoor flooring expert from London Stone.
“If damp leaves are left untreated or left to settle for a long time, this can lead to the growth of algae, which can not only stain your outdoor flooring but also lead to a slippery surface.”
If you’ve discovered unsightly stains on your paving stones or patio, fear not—Steven has a ridiculously simple and astoundingly affordable life hack to eliminate them for good.
The presence of algae can turn surfaces treacherous in wet conditions, posing a significant risk to everyone from elderly visitors to young children.
However, Steven assures us that cleaning up doesn’t have to be a chore.
He advises: “Use a mixture of water and white vinegar to spray down the area and kill the algae before rinsing the surface with a hose,” reports the Mirror.
Then he instructs: “Next, pour white vinegar directly on the surface and scrub using a brush. Use a vigorous back and forth motion to lift any stains,” laying out clear steps to tackle the problem.
With white vinegar costing just 35p at Tesco, or a larger five-litre bottle for £6.99 on Amazon, it’s a cost-effective solution too.
Steven points out: “Algae and moss can cause stubborn green stains if left untreated for a while.”
He suggests a mix of baking soda and water as another natural option for persistent blemishes, reassuring users that “both of these natural cleaning solutions are safe and effective on porcelain tiles and won’t cause any damage or discolouration.”
