Up the garden path....

FJSRiDER · 5 September 2005 at 8:48AM

I'm wondering if there is any 'old style' tip for cleaning a stone path?

My old mother (81) has a small garden that she likes tinkering in but I've noticed that in damp weather the stone path can get quite slippery. She says she is used to it but as she is less good on her feet these days I'd like to see if I can clean the moss/lichen/algae(?) from the stones.

There are proprietary cleaners but there must be a successful 'old fashioned' method..... ?

16011996 · 5 September 2005 at 8:57AM

to be honest, i use bleach and water, mixed half and half, poured on and scrubbed with a stiff brush. it keeps the path clear for months as it kills the algae etc off, i've never found a better method, i use this for my grandfathers paths in his garden, as he's not too good on his feet either. is cheaper than the branded path cleaners though, but requires some elbow grease,

hth,

160.

tr3mor · 5 September 2005 at 9:13AM

Jeyes fluid and a stiff brush, before washing down with plenty of water would get it clean. It's not very OS though really, even if Jeyes fluid has been around forever.

culpepper · 5 September 2005 at 11:16AM

I'd try a stiff yard broom,hot water and salt.You can use salt to scour so why not to scrub the algae on the path? Salt and hot water are a mild weed killer too(I use it beside the shed) .

elona · 5 September 2005 at 11:21AM

We use neat bleach and leave it for 24 hours before washing it off.

nicki_2 · 5 September 2005 at 11:54AM

Thanks for this thread!

i have a very stubbon patch of algea? moss? something! It doesn't matter how much I scrub at it, cover it with bleach it doesn't seem to come off. I may try the salt option once I've got some from the shops this week

I'd rather not use bleach or that in the garden/yard since I grow my own veg and the beds are only seperated from the pavement by some plastic lawn edding from the poundshop!

carol_a_3 · 5 September 2005 at 4:45PM

I know this is not very OS but it does only use water. My paths were very dangerous when wet last year but I borrowed my friend's jet washer for a day and it came up brilliantly and was no longer slippery. Elderly people would obviously need help with it and not so good if you're on a water meter but you don't need any chemicals. It also blasted out the moss, weeds etc from between the slabs as well as getting rid of the black slimy stuff.

FJSRiDER · 5 September 2005 at 5:49PM

Thanks guys! Some good tips there.

I actually have a new el cheepo pressure washer (bought for £5 from a mate who was emigrating) that has never been used so perhaps I'll try that first.

I wonder if I could use a mild bleach solution in it too.....?

Debt_Free_Chick · 5 September 2005 at 6:08PM

carol_a wrote:

It also blasted out the moss, weeds etc from between the slabs as well as getting rid of the black slimy stuff.

It'll blast out any loose mortar too, so use with care

Zziggi · 6 September 2005 at 10:46AM

We have the same problem. We just zap it with the pressure washer (just pure water).

We do this at the start of each autumn (err like about now!) and it stops slippy paving slabs for the whole year.

nicki_2 · 6 September 2005 at 10:57AM

Yet another reason to buy a pressure washer but debts must come first otherwise we'll be making excuses forever :mad:

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Up the garden path....

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