By Katherine McPhillips,Talya Honebeek

Copyright mirror

Patios can quickly become dirty during the summer and early autumn months as we spend more time outdoors . And unfortunately, when you have a patio, it’s inevitable that you’ll experience a build-up of moss at some point. Moss and algae can affect your patio at any time of year, but they tend to pop up more during the cooler months. What makes these growths so tricky for gardeners is that they only need one spore to keep regenerating, so you’ll have to continually scrub them away to keep your patio clean. However, the experts at Infinite Paving have revealed there’s actually a surprisingly simple way to get rid of both moss and algae to prevent them from growing back, and all you need is a bit of bicarbonate of soda. They explained: “One very unconventional yet very effective way of getting rid of unwanted paving weeds is by using bicarbonate of soda. When eradicating moss from your garden, bicarbonate of soda, or baking soda, is a very powerful substance that will get rid of the moss in no time.” Bicarbonate of soda might seem basic, but people often underestimate how useful it is for cleaning different areas around the house, and it can kill both moss and algae, reports the Mirror . Moss and algae can only survive in an acidic environment, but bicarbonate of soda is an alkaline product, so it will increase the pH level on a surface to stop them from being able to grow. Baking soda is a natural absorbent that can draw moisture from a patio, dehydrating moss and algae and making it harder for them to survive. This is one of the easiest ways to get rid of moss and algae, while also keeping your patio dry and less acidic, reducing the chance of regrowth for the rest of the summer. Wait for a sunny day and then give your patio a good sweep to help loosen the stains initially. Next, generously sprinkle dry baking soda on any areas of your patio affected by moss or algae. Let the baking soda sit undisturbed, allowing it time to dry out the problem areas and increase the pH level. This process usually takes between 24 to 48 hours. If you wish, you can continue to apply baking soda during this period. You’ll know the treatment has worked when the moss or algae starts to turn brown, indicating it’s dying off. Once completely dried up, the moss or algae should be easy to remove with a simple sweep of a broom. Rinse your patio with hot water, and it should stay clean and free from stains for a significantly longer period.