A PROFESSIONAL gardener has revealed their cheap tip for removing moss and algae from outdoor patios.
Using just one product that can be bought for £2 from Sainsbury’s, it is a hack that can keep your outdoor areas looking clean and free of dark stains.
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It comes after a homeowner turned to Reddit for advice, asking how they could safely remove algae and dark stains from a large area of their patio.
The post, shared on the GardeningUK subreddit which has 187k members, wrote: “Any idea what products (pref non-toxic for pets but not essential) and method I’d need to use to safely remove the algae & dark stains from brick work and slabs.”
“I tried soap and water but it’s too big an area?”
The user, deweylewis2, also attached images of their patio with undertones of yellow, but almost turning grey.
The post attracted an influx of comments from gardening enthusiasts, with many advising to use a pressure washer.
One comment, however, came from a former gardener’s assistant from Yorkshire who said to use soda crystals.
They wrote: “Sprinkle (sparingly) soda crystals onto stones and brush over.
“Leave for up to 2 days (if Moss present) then scrub off with clean water.”
On top of that, they said: “It’s a green option.”
Another respondent wrote: “Thank you for the tip!”
Sainsbury’s sell these as Dri Pak Fine Soda Crystals for £2 per kilogram.
The product is described as a “multi purpose cleaner” and “laundry aid”, as it is predominantly used for cleaning washing machines and clothes.
Soda crystals, or sodium carbonate, is therefore a handy cleaning product to have in the home for various purposes.
Reviewers have rated the product 4.2 out of five stars, with one who wrote: “I love this product – I add a few table spoons to my laundry, l use it for cleaning the oven and sticky saucepans and many other chores”.
They are a great way to clean in a way that is non-toxic, sustainable for the environment, and is also cost-friendly.