My 35p trick cleans tough stains off your garden patio and is better than a pressure washer
A GARDENING expert has shared her 35p hack for getting rid of tough stains off your garden patio.
Autumn and winter weather brings with it more moisture allowing algae and moss to build up on your backyard slabs.
But, luckily, you don’t have to break the bank to remove any and get your patio glistening ahead of summer.
Gardening expert Kendall Platt, who runs Adventures with Flowers, said white vinegar is a cheap and quick way of getting any slabs glistening.
It costs just pennies as well – Aldi is selling a 568ml bottle for 35p.
Kendall said: “White vinegar is acidic and so it works by dissolving the surface of the patio slabs.
“If you decide to use it as a low effort way of cleaning your slabs test it on an area out of sight to check it doesn’t damage the slabs first.
“Provided you are happy with the results you can apply it to tough stains.”
Kendall did issue a word of warning over the use of white vinegar though.
Because it is acidic, use too much and it can end up damaging any slabs.
She said: “There is a risk it may discolour your slabs.
“(So) you must keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn’t dissolve too much of the top surface.”
If you don’t fancy taking the risk with white vinegar, you can always try using soapy water to remove any algae and stains.
Kendall said: “Warm soapy water, a brush from a dustpan and brush and some elbow grease.
“Invite some friends round and have a patio cleaning party on a hot day.
She added: “(You could) turn cleaning the patio into a fun game with the kids. See who can clean their section of the patio quickest.
“This need not be expensive – warm water, washing up liquid and sponges or brushes you already have at home will do the job.”
The washing up liquid hack is a pretty common one too – Chris Bonnett from GardeningExpress.co.uk previously shared the tip with The Sun, saying it can cost from as little as 69p.
Not only can the trick be useful for cleaning any slabs, the washing up liquid and water solution can be used to get garden furniture looking pristine.
You just have to use a sponge or brush to scrub away any excess dirt. Then, once your furniture is clean, use a hose to rinse away any excess soap.
Garden features that can slash the value of your home by £1,000s
KENDALL previously revealed other common garden features which could knock thousands of pounds off the value of your home. Here's three...
- Fake grass – Kendall warned the cost to a new owner of pulling up an artificial lawn and laying new turf can devalue your home.
- Dirty barbecues – Kendall said a “dirty, uncared-for BBQ” might signal to buyers there are other parts of your home that have not been looked after, and see them put in lower offer
- Mess – Kendall said one the biggest home buyer turn offs is a scruffy and unkempt garden.
- Garden furniture – think carefully about what garden furniture you buy, Kendall said. Wooden furniture might look better initially, but it can go rotten when left outside during the colder months and be a potential turn off for prospective buyers. Plastic-coated furniture can be a better choice.
A pressure washer is another effective way of removing stubborn dirt and build-up from your patio.
But make sure you don’t hold the washer too close to the slabs as it can cause permanent damage.
Of course, getting a professional in to pressure wash your patio will cost you significantly more than using soapy water or white vinegar – Checkatrade says the average cost is around £3 per square metre of patio slabs.
You can save money by borrowing one off a forum site such as Facebook or the Nextdoor app.
Alternatively, head to B&Q, and you can hire one for £99 for the weekend.
Three garden features that can cut your home value
Kendall said three common garden features can cut the value of your home by thousands of pounds a year.
Oversized trees – £1,000
But be wary of certain types of trees which can be a nuisance to maintain and grow quickly, acting as a light block.
One example is leylandii trees, Kendall said.
She added: “Many homeowners plant them on the boundary of their garden to provide cover from neighbouring properties.
Concrete and badly-cared for patios – £3,000
Laying concrete across your garden can make it easier to maintain.
You might want to add gravel to your green patch to save time on upkeep too.
However, prospective buyers may want grass for pets or children to play on, especially if the gravel hasn’t been well-maintained and weeds have been allowed to grow, Kendall said.
She added: “The cost of a skip to get rid of the concrete, paving slabs or gravel is at least £100 and topsoil and turf to lay the lawn about £300 and that’s without contractor fees to actually do the work on top.”
Kendall estimated the cost of calling in contractors to dig up the concrete would cost you around £3,000.
Overgrown bushes and plants – £10,000
Majorly overgrown bushes and plants can act as a major turn off for home buyers looking around your home.
Some may factor getting them trimmed by a professional into their offer price, which might knock up to £10,000 of your property’s value.
Kendall said: “Many potential buyers when faced with a garden that resembles Jumanji will feel very overwhelmed at the prospect of tackling it.
“This will undoubtedly impact the amount of money that they’d be prepared to pay for it.
“With the price of a garden landscaper starting at between £8,000-£10,000 for a small garden (before plants) you can bet that they’ll be mentally taking that amount off their offer.”
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