Wood and stone floors
Remove green deposits: How to remove algae, lichens and moss – without chemicals
In spring, the effects of winter appear in the form of green deposits
© Wojciech Kozielczyk/Getty Images
The harsh autumn and winter months take a toll on surfaces made of wood, concrete or stone. Too much moisture and a lack of sunlight cause facades and sidewalks, balcony railings and terraces or even fences and flower pots to be covered by a green veil. And it stays.
Green cover doesn’t look nice. Apart from that, it can become a dangerous trap on surfaces that are walked on: in combination with moisture, for example when it rains, once safe paths turn into slippery slides. In addition, algae, moss and lichens can spread unhindered and cause lasting damage to natural materials such as wood (which becomes ailing). The question arises as to how green deposits can be removed? There are special cleaning products available from specialist retailers, but the Federal Environment Agency strongly advises against using them: “Green deposit removers are not standard soap cleaners, but rather biocidal products. Biocidal products contain active ingredients, some of which are classified as “hazardous to the environment” and “very toxic for aquatic organisms”. The release of these chemicals into the environment should therefore be avoided”. For this reason we present alternatives.
Removing green growth: This is the best way to do it
Before you decide on one of the three options for removing green deposits, which we will present in more detail below, you should get two important utensils: one scrub brush and one Broom for sensitive wooden surfaces – or one Wire brush and/or one Wire broom for hard stone surfaces. Then you just have to decide between one of these three proven cleaning tips:
Remove green deposits with baking soda
If you would like to remove the green growth with an environmentally friendly home remedy, baking soda (in combination with hot water) is a good choice. However, you should only use this method when it is dry outside – otherwise the rain would work against you. And here’s how to turn it around Baking soda powder correctly to remove the green deposit:
- First sweep up the coarse dirt from the surface to be cleaned with a broom and then remove it.
- Mix the powder with hot water: there are about twelve tablespoons of baking soda per liter. Depending on how large the area is, mix several liters at once in a bucket.
- Now spread the baking soda and water mixture generously over the green surface and allow it to take effect over a longer period of time (preferably overnight).
- The next day, scrub the surface thoroughly with a brush or broom and then clean the treated area with clean water.
Tip: In order to find out whether the surface to be cleaned can tolerate baking soda, it is advisable to first treat a small (preferably inconspicuous) corner with the mixture. If the area becomes discolored, you should not use the home remedy.
Remove green deposits with washing soda
Washing soda is also touted as effective in combating green growth. However, according to the North Rhine-Westphalia Consumer Center, you should first test whether the surface to be cleaned will survive the use without damage before using it for the first time. If the material shows no reaction to the soda, you can use it to treat wooden floorboards (for example on the terrace) or stone tiles as follows to remove the green deposits:
- For Wooden floors outdoors: Mix one to two tablespoons washing soda with a liter of hot water. Distribute the liquid evenly over the green surface and then leave it to act for several hours before scrubbing the surface thoroughly with a brush or broom. Then pour clean water over the floor to remove the loosened dirt. It is also advisable (and often necessary) to oil the wood after treatment – ideally with an environmentally friendly oil, recognizable by the “Blue Angel”.
- Do you want one Stone floor To remove green deposits, you can also use washing soda. However, the process is much quicker and easier if you use a high-pressure cleaner. You can find out more about this in the next section.
Important NOTE: Here and there the use of vinegar is also recommended to remove green deposits. In fact, however, this cleaning method is not recommended on sealed or paved surfaces, as vinegar would seep into the soil with rainwater and (unintentionally) harm plants and soil organisms. Aside from that, the acidic home remedy can even damage surfaces made of concrete, marble or sandstone.
Remove green deposits with a high-pressure cleaner
High-pressure cleaners are particularly effective in the fight against green deposits. However, the devices are not cheap, although they can be rented from many hardware stores. In addition, sensitive floors (including wood or sandstone) are not necessarily suitable for use. If the pressure is set too high, unsightly hairline cracks can appear in the surface – or the material will burst or splinter. This makes it all the more important to have one high pressure cleaner Always use with caution on floors made of stone, concrete or wood. Either way, it cannot be avoided that not only the green covering is removed, but the joints are also washed free. Accordingly, be prepared to fill empty grooves with sand again after use.
Sources: Eco test, Federal Environment Agency, North Rhine-Westphalia Consumer Center
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