Outdoor spring cleaning chores are some of my favorites. After a long winter indoors, it feels great to step outside and enjoy the sun while preparing my space for days in the yard.
Cleaning algae and moss from my patio has been so easy since my dad introduced me to Wet & Forget Spray, available at Walmart. It cleans patio pavers without a pressure washer, cutting the task down to less than half an hour of effort while providing months of protection against algae and moss.
How to use Wet & Forget to clean a patio
Outdoor cleaning usually requires a fair bit of elbow grease, and can take a lot of physical work to get everything looking its best. That’s why I’m always on the lookout for tools and products that reduce outdoor spring cleaning labor without sacrificing results.
Wet & Forget is a cleaning solution that soaks into outdoor surfaces to kill mold, moss, and algae without you having to scrub. Simply spray it, forget it, and let the solution do all the work for you.
You have to trust the process with this backyard cleaning trick. You will not see any difference right away. Rather, you have to leave the spray to sit and work over the coming weeks and months. It will slowly kill off the algae and moss while creating a protective coating to prevent it from coming back as quickly.
Using Wet & Forget to clean a patio is super simple, and you only need a few simple tools:
- A stiff bristled broom, available at Walmart, to remove debris.
- Wet & Forget Outdoor Spray, available at The Home Depot .
- Plain water, if your Wet & Forget does not come ready to use.
- Optional: An Easy Carry Garden Sprayer & Pump, from Walmart if your solution does not come with a spray pump included.
- Optional: A helper to help you move any heavy patio furniture.
1. Clear away debris
One thing people with clean patios always do is sweep regularly to remove debris. If you are like me, however, this task is usually neglected over winter, so my patio is always buried under leaves come spring.
Before using Wet & Forget, the first job is to remove all this debris. I use a heavy-duty outdoor broom and a dustpan for this, making sure to pick up everything from the corners for a clear surface to spray.
With stiff bristles and a long handle, this heavy-duty broom is perfect for use in your yard to clean away dust and debris from patios and decks.
Rather than trying to guide leaves into a plastic bag, I use a simple dustpan, with my foot behind it for leverage, to collect leaves to throw in the trash or a compost bin.
This large outdoor compost bin is perfect for old leaves and garden waste, turning your tidying efforts into compost for your yard.
2. Move patio furniture
Wet & Forget can be used to clean outdoor furniture to help kill moss and remove algae stains, but when you're treating your patio, it is best to move it all out of the way for a clear surface to work on.
You should always try to avoid moving heavy furniture by yourself, enlisting the help of a friend, family member, or neighbor where possible to avoid hurting yourself or damaging anything.
If you do work alone, consider using furniture casters, from Amazon, to make heavy items easier to wheel around as you work.
3. Spray the surface with Wet & Forget
I prefer using a product such as Wet & Forget over pressure washing a patio for several reasons. Firstly, it limits my water and electricity use to help cut energy bills at home. Secondly, it is easier to avoid patio cleaning mistakes, such as damaging or cracking the stone.
I work from side to side across my patio, using the sprayer nozzle to distribute the liquid over every tile, paying special attention to the gaps between the tiles where moss grows. I typically work at the end of the day when the sun has started to set, so the spray does not evaporate too quickly.
It is also vital to work on a day where no rain is scheduled for at least five hours, to allow the spray to work rather than being diluted and washed away.
Though it takes a few weeks to kill off the moss and algae, it simultaneously lays down protection so it doesn't return for many months. I usually give it another spray in fall.
The Wet & Forget spray cleans green and black stains caused by moss, mold, mildew, and algae on a host of outdoor surfaces, including wood decks, furniture, fences, stone walls, patios, and pavers. This bottle comes pre-mixed, so you won't need a sprayer bottle or water to get going.
4. Brush away the dead moss
When the stains have lifted and the moss is dead, you might be left with the dead remnants of moss on your patio. A quick brush-up will help remove it from your outdoor seating ideas.
It is that simple. I love that I don't have to scrub, polish, or dig anything up, which helps conserve my time and energy.
This ready to use Wet & Forget mix mitigates the need to mix your solution up with water, for quick action against unsightly stains.
FAQs
What causes moss and algae on a patio?
Moss, algae, and mold often grow on shady areas of patios or patios with poor drainage, especially if the patio is covered with dead leaves. This will often be unavoidable for noth facing patios, or areas of patios that are blocked by trees, bushes, or fences.
How do you prevent moss and algae on a patio?
Preventing moss and algae on a patio comes down to keeping the stones dry, clean, and well-lit. Improving drainage, removing debris, and improving shaded areas by trimming hedges and trees where possible will certainly help.
It can also be useful to seal your patio to protect the stone from weathering and damage.
Wet & Forget is not limited to stone patios. I have also had great success using the spray to remove algae from fences without scrubbing, while my dad has successfully used it to clean a deck.
