Patios can easily dirty as summer ends as many people spend more time outdoors in the sun, but it can be very difficult to get rid of moss once it has a chance to spread. 

Moss can be challenging to clean as its spores are highly resilient and can embed themselves deeply within wooden or stone surfaces, meaning even if you scrub it away it will remain in tiny crevices to eventually regrow. 

However, it turns out that one of the best ways to kill patio moss is washing up liquid, which will stop it from coming back without having to use harsh chemical cleaners. 

An expert from the plant nursery Tendercare has shared that washing up liquid is not only highly effective but

They said: “One of the simplest methods of cleaning paving is to use hot soapy water. This works well for light staining on softer stones.” 

Washing up liquid contains surfactants which can deeply penetrate surfaces and will begin to break down moss to eventually kill it. 

Moss needs a constant source of moisture to survive, and washing up liquid works by dehydrating the moss and making it hard to retain moisture in its environment. 

How to use washing-up liquid to kill patio moss

Before you begin cleaning, clear away any plants or pots that may be on your patio and give it a good sweep to loosen up any dirt. 

Mix together washing up liquid and hot water in a bucket, then splash it all over your patio. 

Once a patio is thoroughly covered use a hard-bristled brush or broom to scrub at patio. 

After scrubbing rinse the patio with hot clean water and then leave it to dry for at least 24 hours. 

Check the weather forecast and only clean your patio of moss on a sunny day as it will need time for the moss to dry out. 

Your patio should be clean and moss-free for a while, but if you still have any moss remaining then repeat these steps but use more washing-up liquid in your cleaning solution. 

What else can kill patio moss?

Baking soda can also naturally kill moss as it is alkaline, which raises the pH level of the surface and creates an environment where moss will struggle to survive. 

Boiling water from the kettle is straightforward but will essentially cook the moss and cause it to break down, and after a few hours, it will die so you scrub it away. 

While there are lots of cheap and natural ways to kill moss it is best to never use vinegar as while it will work it can also easily damage your patio due to how acidic it is. 

The cleaning expert explained: “White vinegar is often recommended as an eco-friendly cleaning product, and it is certainly effective at removing stains. 

“However, many landscaping firms advise against using vinegar to clean paving, as the acid can damage the surface of the stones, particularly limestone or concrete pavers. 

“To be on the safe side when cleaning your patio, it’s probably best to stick to hot, soapy water and plenty of elbow grease!”