Wooden fences will be algae-free in minutes if you spray 1 household item — avoid bleach
Wooden fences are prone to developing green stains due to algae, mould and mildew. Removing these stains can be difficult, but luckily, there is a household item that does the job in minutes.
After a few weeks of wet yet warm weather, some gardeners across the UK may have noticed their fences developing some green staining. Green stains can be caused by algae, mould and mildew, which thrive in damp areas where there isn't enough sunlight. An accumulation of debris like leaves, dust and soil can also provide nutrients for mould and algae to thrive.
Removing green algae can be difficult, especially if you're keen to avoid using chemicals. Laura Harnett, the founder of eco cleaning brand Seep, has shared a simple, natural solution for cleaning fences without resorting to bleach or other chemicals.
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Laura exclusively told Express.co.uk fences can look "as good as new again" if they are maintained and cleaned to remove any moss or algae that has built up.
How you clean the fence will depend on its material, but for all types of fencing, you want to start with an outdoor brush and give it a good sweep to remove any loose debris. Debris like leaves can get stuck in fences, which is why it's best to remove it first.
If you're cleaning a metal fence, it's best to use an eco-friendly scourer that is nearing the end of its life.
Laura also suggested using white vinegar to clean metal fences rather than cleaning detergents. She said: "Fill a reusable bottle with white vinegar and spray that onto the fence to help lift the dirt. Pay special attention to any areas with rust and protect your hands while doing this.
"The copper scourer can either be recycled or unravelled and wrap the copper around the bottom of your pots to stop slugs and snails from eating the plants as they don’t like it and won’t crawl across copper."
Laura also suggested using white vinegar for wooden fences. However, she suggested avoiding using a copper scourer, as it could damage the wood, and instead using an eco sponge. Eco sponges are made from the same material as a loofah and are naturally abrasive, which means they'll remove the lichen and algae without damaging the wood itself.
Laura continued: "Spray the vinegar onto the fence and leave it for a few minutes before wiping it off. If the fence has not been treated for a long time then it also might need to be sanded to remove ingrowing moss and lichen.
"There are some pieces of advice online about bleaching fencing to clean it, but bleach is a very harsh chemical which can damage the plants and wildlife in the garden. Also, if it’s sprayed on then there’s a high risk of it going in your eyes and also breathing it in.
"Boiling water would also kill the algae on the fence but be really careful not to damage any plants and there’s a risk of being burned too. Boiling water is also an eco-friendly way to get rid of weeds in paths and driveways, too, rather than using harsh weed killers.”
