In the spring we often want to go outside as soon as possible as soon as the sun shines. And then it is nice if the patio tiles look fresh. With all types of weather conditions that we experience in our country, green deposits often (and quickly) form on your garden furniture and tiles. Green deposits caused by algae and moss. What are the best ways to remove grime from your tiles? And there are too don’ts?
Check the weather forecast
The best time to remove green deposits from your tiles is when it has not rained for three days in a row and preferably when the sun is shining. The sun ensures that the tiles dry quickly, so that algae and moss no longer stand a chance. Furthermore, if it rains, your hard work will end up in the gutter within a few minutes. So always check the weather forecast for the coming days to see whether or not you should start working on your tiles.
Do not do this to remove green deposits
To start with, there are some things you should not do if you want to remove green deposits from your tiles. Here they are:
No high-pressure cleaner
Be careful with the high-pressure sprayer. You can clean your patio with a high-pressure cleaner, but the paving also has to endure quite a bit due to the high pressure. The top layer becomes more porous, white rings of deposits can form and the surface can become rougher, which will attract even more moss and dirt to your tiles next year. So better not to do that.
Vinegar? No thanks
Vinegar is a cheap way to clean your patio tiles, but it just doesn’t work. First of all, it takes a very long time before the green deposit is really gone, and its effect is also only short-lived. Vinegar is also harmful to your healthy garden soil. Do yourself and nature a favor and leave the vinegar for what it is.
Ignore the Biotex
Be careful with Biotex. This can be very dangerous. This is because your tiles, especially wood, become extremely slippery. Besides the fact that accidents can happen, this product is also not good for your plants. So leave this near your washing machine for this job.
Soda, a no-no
Soda is also not a good solution for removing the green deposits on your patio tiles. This is a corrosive cleaning agent that is harmful to all the greenery in your garden. It also takes a long time to absorb this stuff. A lot of work and only a short effect.
Do not use road or table salt
It is often claimed that road salt or table salt is the ideal way to remove green deposits from your tiles. Nothing is less true. The salt can seriously damage your patio tiles and the salt ends up in the ground. This means your soil is no longer in balance and your plants will eventually die. Do not you want to.
What you can do against green deposits
That’s the list of things you shouldn’t do. But what helps and has no adverse effects? Green soap! This green stuff is a perfect way to remove green deposits from your patio tiles. It is biodegradable and therefore not harmful to humans, animals and nature.
How it works? Dissolve some green soap in a bucket of hot water. Do not use a lot of green soap, because this soap consists of oil and fat and can therefore leave annoying stains. Empty the bucket over the paving and spread the mixture over the terrace with a broom. Let it absorb briefly and then scrub everything clean.
Sand? Doing!
Another way to remove the green deposits is with sand. Sprinkle the sand over the tiles and cover with water with a few drops of dishwashing liquid. Then scrub the tiles with a stiff broom to loosen the algae. Then all you have to do is sweep up the excess sand and your patio will look great again!
Grandma’s way
What also still helps very well, but which is very intensive work and takes a lot of time, is scrubbing your terrace with a hand brush and warm water. It is not harmful to anyone or anything and works very well.
Get rid of those tiles
Yet that green deposit remains a recurring issue every year that you have to work on if you want your garden to look neat again. That is why you could also choose to remove tiles. This is not only easier to maintain, it is also better for the climate, biodiversity and your garden is much cooler on hot days.
Alternatives to tiles
Instead of tiles you could lay a lawn. You could also add borders, semi-paving, different plants and a different type of paving in your garden. Find 5 tips for a green and low-maintenance garden here.
