Removing green moss on the terrace or walkways
Moss makes floors slippery and unsightly. Recipe for a natural and economical DIY moss killer.
Recommended Materials
- White vinegar
- Coarse salt
- Hot water
- Stiff broom
- Weeding knife
Steps to follow
Step 1
Scrape off the bulk of the thick moss with a weeding knife or hoe, especially in the slab joints where it takes root.
Step 2
Powerful homemade moss killer recipe: In a sprayer or watering can, mix 4 liters of hot water, 1 liter of white vinegar (acetic acid) and 100g of coarse salt. Salt burns the root by dehydration, vinegar acidifies the ground (moss doesn't like that).
Step 3
Pour or spray this mixture generously on the moss on a sunny and dry day. The sun is essential to activate the drying process.
Step 4
Leave on for 2 or 3 days without rinsing. The moss will turn yellow, brown and dry out completely.
Step 5
Once the moss is dead, scrub with a hard broom and rinse with a water jet to remove residues.
Step 6
Cooking water from potatoes, rice or pasta (boiling and salted) is also an excellent free weed killer for small areas (tile joints, borders). Pour it boiling directly onto the moss.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it dangerous for my flowers and lawn ?
YES, absolutely. Vinegar and salt are total herbicides, they kill all plants. Apply only on walkways, terraces and paved areas, never in flower beds.
Is the pressure washer effective ?
Yes, it strips everything instantly, but high pressure often makes concrete or stone more porous, which offers better grip for spores: moss often comes back even faster and stronger the following year.
Precautions
- Do not use salt on a limestone terrace (marble) or near a fish pond.
- Salt can damage concrete in the long run (corrosion).
