IF your fence is covered in stubborn algae, fear not, you’ve come to the right place.
With the bank holiday weekend finally here, if you’ve got plans to relax in your garden this Easter, you’ll need to take notes to get your outside space in tip-top shape.
Not only will this ‘game-changing’ trick enable you to wave goodbye to nasty algae from your fence, but it’ll get ‘completely green’ patios and decking looking brand new too.
It turns out that fences are the perfect spot for algae to flourish, as they soak up rain and dew, creating an ideal environment for this slippery green blight.
Algae has a particular affinity for moist and shaded areas, so if your fence is in a part of the garden that lacks sunlight, algae invasion is far more likely.
But luckily for you, fans of cleaning guru Mrs Hinch have divulged their favourite tips for banishing this unsightly green stuff from garden fences.
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Posting on Mrs Hinch Gardening Tips, a public Facebook page with 532,500 members, a gardening enthusiast named Hayley Senior asked: “Any tips for getting rid of all the green algae type stuff on the fence and patio and furniture?
“I sprayed the fences black, so it looks worse this year!”
Numerous cleaning solutions flooded in, but there was one product that was raved about by many – Wet & Forget.
One user said: “A product called ‘Wet and Forget’. Literally spray it on and in a day or two it’s like new! It can be used on any material. Works on wood and composite decking.”
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A second claimed: “Wet and Forget is game-changing! Our fences got green, we mixed up some Wet and Forget with the appropriate amount of water, and it was literally all gone in one hour. A container lasts ages.”
Someone else wrote: “Wet and Forget, but needs to be above five degrees and no chance of rain.”
Meanwhile, a fourth shared: “Wet and Forget is amazing, my fences were completely green. It removed all of it just by spraying it. You’ll need to dilute it with water and use a spray bottle. It also cleans your patio.”
Not only this, but another chimed in: “Most caravan users use Wet and Forget for their decking. I’m hearing it’s fab.”
How to get algae off fences
ABS Fencing shared a list of do’s and don’ts when it comes to cleaning green algae off your fence.
- Don’t use household mould or mildew remover sprays as these are generally intended for use on hard surfaces indoor.
- Don’t use bleach in the garden, it kills a lot more than the mould.
- Don’t try sanding back the top surface of the wood, as algae will just regrow back.
- Don’t bother with power hosing – that only opens up the timber grain and allows more water inside, making the problem worse down the line.
- Do use white vinegar mixed with hot water in a spray bottle and work it in with a brush, leave for 30 mins or more, then hose down.
- Do repaint when dry with good quality fence paint.
If you fancy giving this trick a try, you can buy Wet & Forget from B&Q or Wickes for £18 for a 2L bottle.
Although the large cleaning essential sells for £18, one use should cost you just £4.50 a time, as the liquid gets diluted.
To use this product, simply dilute one part Wet & Forget to five parts water in a garden pump sprayer.
Wet and Forget is game-changing! Our fences got green, we mixed up some Wet and Forget with the appropriate amount of water, and it was literally all gone in one hour
Facebook user
You can then thoroughly spray your surfaces, but make sure to avoid touching them for the next four to five hours.
With this handy hack, there’s no need for any scrubbing, as the solution will get rid of the algae on its own.
According to the product description, this bargain buy “effectively removes contaminants with no water washing or scrubbing required, simply apply to the surface and forget about it.”
The website read: “Let Wet & Forget do the hard work for you.
Top 5 Spring Gardening Jobs
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Nick Grey, Gtech Inventor and CEO shared the tasks to crack on with as Spring arrives.
1. Clean your garden
Make sure to clear away all leaves, soil and plant debris from your patios and flower beds; this creates a healthier environment for new growth, especially as we get into the summer months. Gtech’s Garden Safety Kit includes durable gardening gloves and safety glasses; perfect for comfortability whilst tackling those outdoor tasks.
2. Weeding
Early Spring is the best time to tackle weeds; if you can introduce some regular weeding into your routine, you can guarantee a tidy garden all year round.
3. Hedge maintenance
Spring is the ideal time to tidy up overgrown hedges and shrubs, as regular trimming ensures healthy growth and reduces pest issues. Using a tool like the Gtech Lightweight Hedge Trimmer can help to keep your greenery looking sharp and neat.
4. Composting
Starting a compost heap this spring is a pro-active, cost-effective way to harness nutritious soil for your plants and recycle organic waste that will benefit the overall health of your greenery and foliage.
5. Look after your lawn
Lawn care is hugely important in assuring your garden stays looking beautiful. Make sure to rake away any excess leaves and trim your grass routinely.
”Our formula has an unlimited shelf life and is completely free from aggressive chemicals such as bleach and ammonia that can damage surfaces.”
Not only does this product tackle grim algae, but you can also use it to banish mould and mildew too.
The non-bleach formula is perfect for cleaning any outdoor surface such as roofs, bricks, natural stone pavers, headstones, patios, driveways, paintwork glass houses, solar panels, tarmac, artificial grass and more.
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So if you want to make your patio sparkle like new, ”simply saturate desired surface with solution and wait for the product to work its magic.”
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