As warmer weather arrives, many homeowners seek to refresh their gardens, and a common nuisance is moss on patios. A simple kitchen ingredient can make it vanish.
The Kitchen Ingredient That Kills Moss
With the arrival of spring and summer, outdoor spaces become a focal point. Nobody wants a green, moss-covered patio. Fortunately, an effective solution is close at hand: bicarbonate of soda. This common kitchen staple can tackle the problem with minimal effort.
Content creator 'I'm No Gardener' on TikTok shared this advice: "Now this is a patio, and this is moss in my patio. The best way to get rid of it? Bicarbonate of soda. You just sprinkle it on, brush it in and, as the moss sucks up water, it takes in the bicarb as well. It kills it. And then, because the dead matter will be still in the holes, nothing else will grow."
How Does It Work?
Bicarbonate of soda is a highly effective moss killer. It works by making the environment too alkaline for moss to survive, while also drawing out moisture to dehydrate it.
- Lightly moisten the moss with water, or wait for a damp day.
- Scatter bicarbonate of soda liberally over the mossy patches.
- Work it in with a broom to ensure even coverage.
- Leave it to settle for at least 24 hours (or up to a few days) until the moss turns yellow or golden.
- Use a stiff brush to scrape away the dead moss.
- Rinse the patio thoroughly with water to remove any residue.
Expert Tips
This method is slower-acting, so you may need to repeat it for persistent patches. Be cautious around grass, as runoff of sodium-rich bicarb can act as a non-selective weed killer and harm your lawn.
Some people worry about staining, but bicarbonate of soda doesn't chemically stain stone. It may leave a white, chalky residue in pores or cracks. To remove this, scrub with a stiff-bristled garden broom and warm, soapy water, then rinse again. Its mild abrasiveness strips away dirt, revealing the true colour of the pavers.
For further guidance, seek professional advice if moss persists.
