Growing moss on concrete surfaces, such as driveways, building walls, and sidewalks, is nothing new. Yet, it can be a nightmare for those passionate about their perfect homes. On the other hand, others will ignore it and make the best out of moss.
However, for the majority of people, moss is something alarming and aesthetically unpleasant. If you are dealing with this evolving plant and want to remove moss from concrete permanently, you are in the right place.
Well, clearing moss from concrete can be a daunting task, as long as you don’t know precisely what works against these flowerless plants.
Luckily, there are simple methods to remove moss from cement without needing too many tools. You might already have all the household items you need to keep moss away from your home.
5 Best Methods To Get Rid Of Moss On Concrete
When treating moss on cement and other paved areas, you should first ask yourself a few essential questions. Only after checking them, can you choose the ideal method for removing moss. So here is what to try and answer:
- Do pets and children walk and play in the affected area?
- Will the method you want to use affect the grass and beautiful plants you have all around?
- Are you able to take the necessary measures to prevent moss from regenerating? (reducing moisture and sunlight)
Below, I will expose the best methods for killing moss without too much effort and special tools. Furthermore, we checked the pros and cons of each technique.
Right away, you will know which solution is the most suited one for you.
1. Moss Killer Spray
You can find moss killer sprays made of organic ingredients at any store. The container is beneficial, as it will nicely spread the solution on bricks, concrete, and pavers. This method has a significant advantage: it is hassle-free, considering you don’t have to mix it.
The best part? This moss killer spray will kill most of the moss without harming nearby plants, discoloring concrete, wood, or paint. Here is more about the advantages of moss killer spray:
- The solution will not stain the surfaces, not even paint or decks;
- The spray is killing moss within hours;
- Do not hesitate to use the spray, as it won’t even harm the grass and plants;
- The moss killer spray will not affect the health of your children and animals once dried.
To use it, just attach the bottle right to the end part of the garden hoss, then start spraying the solution all over the moss. Once the substance touches the moss, the plants will turn brown and die within a couple of hours.
From this point, you can start removing the dead moss efficiently, using only some water or a stiff brush.
2. Bleach
Bleach is one of the most common and easy to procure solutions against moss on cement. The recipe is simple: you just need to combine 125 ml of household bleach with 1 gallon of warm water. This way, you will create that ideal mixture for killing moss.
The quantity of water will dilute the bleach enough, so it will be safe to use it around other plants and paved surfaces. Just take the mixture and spread it all over the moss so you will kill any unnecessary plants. However, here are some downsides to consider:
- Bleach runoff is a potential harmer for other plants;
- Bleach can discolor wood, painted surfaces, and concrete;
Don’t worry about the safety; once dried, bleach is safe around humans and animals. Due to the dilution rate, the chance of harming your health with this combination is meager.
However, there is a slight chance, so do not apply this option if you don’t want to cause any damage to the yard.
3. Vinegar
Vinegar is one of the most common ingredients in our homes. Mix equal parts of vinegar and water, then put this mixture in a bottle that comes with a spray diffuser. Don’t forget to add a small quantity of dish soap.
When the solution is ready, start spraying it all over the moss and let it dry for 4-6 hours. We promise you the moss will decompose and die eventually, so it will be easier to remove.
The downsides of using vinegar:
- The vinegar solution might discolor painted surfaces and wood as well;
- The plants that are non-moss may also be killed due to the vinegar solution;
Pros:
- The vinegar solution is non-toxic to humans and animals;
- This mixture against moss is kind of harmless; however, make sure you are not targeting other plants too;
4. Power Washing And Detergent
If you have time and energy, you can remove moss with usual household solutions. Apply some dish soap mixed with water and start scrubbing by hand. Live moss can sometimes be genuinely stubborn, so it might be daunting to remove it.
However, if you want to clean these plants all chemical-free, this method is the right choice. If scrubbing by hand means spending too much time and energy, you can use a power washer instead.
The water pressure will be a blessing and will remove the moss easily from bricks and concrete.
Here are the steps to follow:
- Mix some dish soap and water, and apply them on the moss;
- Start by scrubbing using a brush or a stiff broom;
- If not, use a pressure washer to remove even the oldest moss;
- Scrubb all the cracks, seams, concrete, and all the hard to reach areas;
Advantages of using detergent:
- Organic detergents are not harmful to the surrounding environment;
- Pressure washing is a satisfying method to clean the concrete and revitalize these surfaces.
More than simply removing all the moss from concrete, pressure washing with detergent will also refresh the outdoor surfaces and make them look just like new.
This process is an excellent opportunity to remove and kill all that slippery, unaesthetic, and annoying moss that is living and multiplying all over the concrete. Moreover, you will quickly restore the outdoor space.
5. Baking soda
We use baking soda for many reasons, but you might not have thought about applying baking soda to moss. Baking soda is an ingredient usually found in the back of the kitchen and has a variety of uses.
The powder works in neutralizing the acidic conditions that enhance moss growth. Make sure you use baking soda during a dry day, and you sprinkle it all over the affected areas on concrete.
Summer days would be perfect. Leave this ingredient on the affected surface for 24 hours. Once you have completed the time, simply sweep the moss away.
- Boiling water
If you care about the environment, you want to apply this friendly method to remove the moss from concrete. No chemicals, no additional scrubbing, just hot water, and this is all. Preparing to apply this solution is more than manageable.
The first step: boil some water. Start pouring it all over the moss. Use a broom or a brush to scrub away the rest of the moss.
- Commercial Herbicides
If you are not afraid of chemicals, another solution is commercial herbicides. However, this method should stay at the bottom of your list, considering these are toxic products.
Herbicides are genuinely effective for killing weeds and moss from almost any type of surface. So consider this solution as your best gun if the previous options were not a success.
Look for a commercial moss killer that is designed for getting you rid of moss. If you have pets and kids, you can buy less-toxic moss killer brands; plenty of them are on the market.
Make sure you are following the guidelines that the manufacturer is recommending. Choose a specific day when your kids and pets are away from home.
- Use the power of sunlight
Moss cannot multiply in hot areas. These plants prefer humidity and darkness, so dry and sun-soaked spots are not their favorite spots. As such, one of the most inexpensive ways to get rid of moss is using the power of sunlight.
Considering this, make sure you are doing everything so the affected areas will stay under the sunlight all the time.
Ensure you are pruning nearby trees, moving the cars and furniture from the patio so that the sunlight will cover all the moss on the cement.
I assure you that direct sunlight will dry out all the moss. You can use the power of the sun in addition to the other previous methods.
- Avoid Leaks
Sometimes, if you have to deal with a broken pipe, you might not know that this is the main reason for moss. These leaks are causing too much moisture and the growth of moss.
As such, make sure you will quickly fix those issues and stop the water from growing. The moss won’t grow anymore once there is little moisture.
Tips And Tricks To Prevent Moss On Concrete
Here is what you can do to limit the moss growing on cement:
- Limit water access as much as you can
- Limit access to soil
- Apply the previous methods we mentioned to clean the moss away
- Use the power of sunlight to limit the growth of moss
There is so little to do if you want to get rid of moss from cement. I hope the previous solutions will work fast for you too.
Last words
As you can see even though getting rid of moss infestation from your cement surfaces sounds difficult, it’s easier than it actually seems. All you need to do is to pick the method described above and follow its simple instructions.
