Removing green deposits from tiles is not a fun job, but it is very satisfying afterwards. Moreover, it is not as difficult as it seems. We have six tips that will make sure all green deposits disappear in one go. Do pay attention to your plants and drainage with every tip. If you use persistent agents, this could affect your plants. Make sure that you always clean the terrace with plenty of water. After you have cleaned your terrace, you can add some atmospheric elements to your garden, such as a garden fireplace or a beautiful fire pit table.
Materials required
- Broom with hard coarse bristles
- Water
- bucket
Tip 1: Saline solution
Make sure you have a reasonable amount of table salt or road salt that you can dissolve in a bucket filled with lukewarm water. Then stir the water well so that the salt is completely dissolved. Next, empty the bucket over the areas affected by green algae and scrub the green areas with a coarse-bristled broom. The result is that the green deposits disappear and you have a beautifully clean terrace!
Tip 2: BioTex
Biotex removes the green stains from your children's clothes, but also from the terrace. It is a very effective way of making your terrace green-free. Biotex fights green algae, thanks to the enzymes it contains. You can dilute the biotex with some lukewarm water and pour it over the terrace. Then tackle this with the broom and scrub all the greenery off your patio. Finally, rinse your terrace with plenty of water and get rid of all the biotex.
Tip 3: Potato water
Who would have expected it, potato water is the solution to the tarnish on your terrace! Potato water is indeed just the water in which the potatoes were boiled. The starch in the potato water makes the green algae lose it and go away. Afterwards, tackle the terrace with a coarse broom and scrub your terrace clean. Rinse it all off with clean water and your terrace will be ready for the summer.
Tip 4: Washing powder
Washing powder helps with stains in your clothes, but also with "stains" on your terrace. Dilute some washing powder with some lukewarm water and apply it to your terrace tiles. Spread it evenly over your terrace and scrub it for a while. Let it rest for about 5 to 10 minutes. Now tackle your terrace with hot/tough water. Scrub the terrace with plenty of water. The result is not only a clean patio, but it smells great too.
Tip 5: Vinegar
Take an empty plant sprayer and pour some (cleaning) vinegar into it. Then spray the green deposits with the vinegar from the plant sprayer. Let it soak in for a while and then scrub the terrace clean with a coarse broom and lukewarm water. If the result is still not to your liking, repeat this. Always make sure that you rinse it away with plenty of water afterwards. Please note: rinse the plant sprayer well after use because your other plants do not like cleaning vinegar...
Tip 6: Green soap
Green soap makes your terrace shine again. It leaves a nice fragrance and works effectively to get your terrace green-free. Dilute some green soap in a bucket of lukewarm water and scrub the terrace free of vegetation. It does no harm to dilute the soap a little less than you normally would. Please make sure that you rinse the terrace thoroughly with clean water afterwards. If soap residue remains, it can cause a slip hazard and we do not want that.
Not with a high-pressure cleaner
Never clean your ornamental paving terrace with a high-pressure cleaner! You may be done with the maintenance quickly, but you damage the terrace tiles with it. Your ornamental paving then becomes porous, giving algae and dirt a greater chance and making it more difficult to remove green deposits. Also, never use chlorine and be careful with salt, as these agents sometimes bleach out the colour of the tiles.
Fix the cause
Green deposits will keep recurring until you tackle the cause. Green deposits usually occur in places that are a little damp and don't get much sun, like the ground under a tree or that little terrace surrounded by bushes. Cutting back trees and shrubs in time can make a big difference. Completely removing them and placing them somewhere else - not near tiles - is also an option.
Also check the drainage. If water has trouble running off your patio, it is probably because the drainage is not in order. In the autumn, you will see green deposits forming as a result. Often this problem is easily solved by making the terrace sloping or by raising it a little.
Tip for cleaning your lounge set
Our advice is a combination of potato water and a hard brush. The potato enzymes tackle the problem in a natural way, which is environmentally friendly. It is also a kind of natural enemy. Afterwards, scrub well to loosen all the greenery. Finally, rinse well with, for example, a garden hose.
In short, there are enough sustainable alternatives to tackle green deposits. If you have any good experiences or tips to keep your driveway or terrace free from moss and algae, let us know below!
Is your patio ready for summer?
When your patio is all clean and tidy, it's time to brighten up your garden! What about a beautiful garden fireplace or fire basket? We have a wide range of atmospheric products that create warmth and atmosphere in your garden. Please contact us for further questions.