If you want to remove green growth and moss from the terrace, you don't have to reach for the chemical club right away. Try these natural home remedies.
The summer season is finally starting again, the patio furniture is being dusted and the grill is brought out of its hibernation. But many terrace owners get a shock when they see the terrace for the first time after winter.
Green growth, moss and lots of dirt have accumulated on the terrace flooring during the long period of inactivity.
In order to make it a cozy spot again, you first have to roll up your sleeves and get to the cleaning bucket. But how do you start and, above all, with what? The trade offers a special cleaner for almost every surface. But if you want to try it the natural way, then you've come to the right place.
It depends on the terrace covering
Depending on which decking you have chosen, you will have to do more or less work. Years ago, our terrace was covered with washed concrete slabs. Actually, I find it quite practical, since the floor is not completely flat and therefore not that smooth. However, this covering is difficult to clean, which is why I have to use the Kärcher every year.
It is much easier with wooden floorboards because dirt and moss cannot “get caught” so easily. Decking boards made of both plastic and wood are even better (discovered on mondesi.de). Pure wood is very susceptible to the weather, rots quickly and absorbs moss and so on like a sponge. The plastic-wood mixture is significantly more resistant and green growth and the like can be removed much more easily.
Terrace tiles that are not corrugated, i.e. have a very smooth surface, are probably best cleaned by scrubbing. Here, just like in the household, simply use dish soap and water. If that's not enough, try the tips below.
Removing moss on the terrace
If you don't have a continuous floor slab on your terrace like we do, you have to expect moss for better or worse. The reason is the humidity in autumn and winter, which the mossideal nutrient. The "green" settles in the gaps, from which it now has to be pushed out again.
❏ Manual work with joint scraper
If the moss infestation is manageable, it is enough if you get down on your knees and scrape free joint by joint. There are special joint scrapers for this (Amazon bestseller for less than 10 euros), or you can use an old knife.
❏ Cola as a moss killer
The second variant, which I haven't tested yet, is Cola. Yes, you heard right! The phosphoric acid in the cola is supposed to ensure that the moss dies off. Personally, I'm not quite comfortable distributing the extremely sweet liquid on the terrace. Depending on the size of the terrace, it can also be expensive because the cola must be used undiluted.
Cleaning the terrace: absolutely environmentally friendly
There are lots of "chemicals" on the market that you can use to get your patio clean again. But if you prefer to think of the environment, you go natural. All you need is water and a mop. This video explains the rest:
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Getting rid of rust stains on the terrace with coke
Yes, that also happens. Rust stains form on some terrace floors, for example if you have used moss killers containing iron. To remove this again, you can use phosphoric acid, i.e. cola, again. Soak a rag in the black lemonade and leave it on the stain overnight. Possibly rub something.
❏ Natural acidity against rust stains
Another option is citric acid. This can also be used to remove rust from the terrace, but it takes a little longer. Citric acid is available as a powder in every pharmacy. Vinegar or vinegar essence has about the same effect. Rub the stain with it and wipe off with water.
❏ Drugstore Stain Remover
Stain remover from the drugstore is the third idea I can recommend for patio cleaning. What is actually intended for clothing (see dr-beckmann.de) also works outdoors. But beware: the rust stain remover can leave light spots on some floor coverings. Better to test on an inconspicuous area before use.
❏ Baking powder works too
The well-known baking ingredient also helps against rust spots on theTerrace. Sprinkle the baking soda on the rust stain and leave to soak. Moisten slightly, rub in and rinse thoroughly with water.
What to do if there is green cover on the terrace
The green, sometimes slippery surface is well known to every patio owner, no matter what type of floor covering they have. To make the whole thing look nice again and remove the algae, I recommend:
❏ Vinegar cleaner from the cleaning supplies department
Vinegar cleaner is available in every supermarket. In order to be able to distribute it evenly, pour it into a watering can. Now "spray" all areas with green growth. Now some muscle strength is required again. With the scrubber, you can now proceed step by step. This is perhaps a bit more energy and time-consuming, but less chemical. Rinse again with clear water. You can also make your own vinegar cleaner by mixing pure vinegar with water in a ratio of 60:40.
Conclusion:
When cleaning the terrace with various home remedies, you have to be patient because they don't always work immediately. But remove algae, moss and green growth in a gentle way - the environment will thank you!