Although the recent cold weather would have you think otherwise, we are coming out of the winter months and into the start of spring, meaning that for many of us, it's time to get to work on cleaning up our gardens ready for when the sun finally comes out.
The end of winter also means that plants are starting to grow again, and while that's good news for your flowerbeds, it's less than ideal for your patios, driveways, and paths - as it means algae, moss, and weeds will start to crop up.
Not only do algae and moss cause damage to your hard surfaces, but they can also be unsightly to look at, and so it's vital that you get rid of them as soon as you can.
And thanks to one gardening expert, cleaning your paving has never been easier, as they shared a simple and easy hack that could leave your patio looking good as new in just 15 minutes.
Angela Slater, a gardening expert at Hayes Garden World, said: "Moss on paving must be removed as it can become slippery and dangerous and using chemicals can runoff and damage plants, so an environmental solution would be preferable.
"Moss grows where no sunlight reaches the surfaces so if possible, either re-site the patio into a sunny spot or remove any overhanging branches which are causing the moss growth.
"If you have a gazebo or garden parasol permanently erected, remember to take it down occasionally on a sunny day to allow some sunlight to reach the patio surface."
When it comes to cleaning moss and algae, Angela told The Express that all you need is one common household item that's known for its ability to clean almost anything - white vinegar.
The expert recommended mixing equal parts of white vinegar and water into a spray bottle before targeting the moss. Then, you simply need to leave the solution to get to work for 15 minutes, and the moss should be easy to remove with a brush.
If the moss is more severe, leave it for a little longer to work, unless the weather is forecasted to rain.
You can even use baking soda if the moss coverage isn't too severe, as Angela added: "If the moss coverage is only light, sprinkle with baking soda, leave for 24 hours, then brush off.
"Pouring boiling water onto the moss and then giving it a good scrub with a yard brush is another free moss removal solution."
White vinegar is available from most supermarkets, and a 568ml bottle from Tesco costs just 29p - with reviewers on the website raving about its cleaning properties.
One person said: "Excellent for many household cleaning jobs, also inexpensive weed killer."
While another added: "Apart from using for pickling, this is also a great weed killer."
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