Now here's a strange thing..

peachyprice

I have quite a build up of nasty green algae on the patio which needs a good scrub. Yesterday I had a bucket with Surf (the washing liquid) in that I'd used for soaking, rather than waste it I used it to scrub some of the flag stone on the patio. It brought them up beautifully clean without too much effort at all, but when I looked out at my handywork last night the flags I'd cleaned were glowing in the dark!

Davesnave

There was a full moon last night.....;)

Ectophile

Modern washing powders include "optical brighteners". These absorb ultra-violet and glow white - it's what makes washing "whiter than white" as the advertising slogan used to go.

Pinzy

*makes note to buy Surf tomorrow to wash some patio squares*

peachyprice

I've done the whole patio now, it looks fantastic at night! I have jets circling the garden, mind you.

It must be those optical brighteners Ectophile. I did a small area in Lidl own brand, but that bit doesn't glow so much and it didn't clean as well so I switched back to Surf. I wonder how long it will last.

pmartin86

If there is no dicernable difference between normal cleaning products and surf during the day time, surely this HAS to be an oppurtunity to mess with the minds of nosey neighbours or even other family members...*wanders off to buy surf*

rum1

Sounds like a bit of of the old Peckham spring glowing in the dark why not just jet wash it with plain water and see how it it goes

peachyprice

I don't have a jet washer

MoneyMate

Great little tip worth using in the future Thanks.
I just hope your patio is not laid out in a Runway style that may encourage passing planes at Night .

asparagus1968

ooh, I have a little gargoyle thing sat in my garden, covered in green. am going to wash him in bio powder, i'd love to see him glowing in the dark

dbriggs

I have to try this, although the neighbours already think I'm a bit odd!