Patios can quickly become a safety issue in winter due to ice and sleet forming on stone surfaces, which is why it is also important to remove moss patches at this time of year.
Moss retains moisture and will make surfaces even more slippery when it is frosty outside, which means having it growing nearby poses a higher risk of falling or tripping when outside.
However, Danielle, an expert from Taylor Weed Control, has shared a simple way to remove patio moss and stop it from growing back using simple ingredients rather than spending money on chemical solutions.
She said: “If you want to avoid using harsh chemicals like bleach on your patio, vinegar is a good, less aggressive alternative.
“Mix equal parts vinegar and water, and apply it to the patio as evenly as possible. Vinegar can be a good chemical-free alternative to bleach, but depending on the size of your patio, you may need quite a lot of it!”
How does it work?
Simple kitchen white vinegar you put on chips can kill moss as it contains acetic acid, which can break down moss spores and kill them due to how acidic it is.
However, white vinegar by itself cannot penetrate plant matter so it is best mixed with water and washing up liquid.
Washing up liquid contains surfactants which break the surface tension of moss and make it easier for the vinegar to be fully absorbed by it.
Moss needs water to survive and once it absorbs the vinegar and washing up liquid it will be fully coated in the solution and not be able to retain moisture.
Once moss takes in the solution it will be smothered and begin to suffocate, which will quickly kill it.
Method
All you have to do is mix together white vinegar, water and washing up liquid into a bucket or container.
Pour the vinegar solution all over your patio, driveway or any stone surfaces around your garden.
Try to avoid getting this solution on your grass or in a flower bed as it could be harmful to other plants.
Once the solution has been applied, wait 15 to 20 minutes for it to fully soak into the moss. After the time is up, rinse the area with warm clean water.
After a few hours, the solution will have completely killed the moss so it is a brown colour and dried out.
You should be able to easily wipe it away with a broom or bristled brush so your patio is completely clean and moss-free.
If moss continues to be a problem, reapply the homemade solution again or consider using baking soda to get rid of this spongy problem.
