Green moss or a colorful patina of lichens are not a pretty sight on a stone surface. Good to know that both culprits can be removed using the same methods. Read here how you can effectively eliminate moss and lichen from paved surfaces and terraces.
How do I remove moss or lichen from stone surfaces?
To remove moss and lichen from stone surfaces, you can use a wire brush, grout scraper or hard scrubber. Alternatively, you can use vinegar, baking soda solution or biodegradable products such as Compo Bio Moss-free or Celaflor Naturen Moss-free. After application, residues should be removed manually.
Are moss and lichens the same?
Optically, moss and lichens look very similar. Both species also prefer shady, moist and cool conditions. The similarities have already been mentioned, because from a botanical point of view there are serious differences. Moss is green, rootless land plants. Lichens, on the other hand, are a colorful, symbiotic community made up of fungi and algae, so they are not real plants.
Tips for removing moss and lichen from stone
The earlier you start removing the coating, the less effort it takes. With a wire brush, a joint scraper or a hard scrubber, there are good chances of effective cleaning in the early stages of the infestation. If there are still stubborn residues, give the surface the rest with these remedies:
- Spray the populated area repeatedly with fruit or wine vinegar
- Make a solution from 20 to 30 g baking soda and 10 l boiling hot water and use it several times
- Let several days pass between applications and scrub again and again
Fighting with biodegradable products from specialist retailers proves to be less strenuous. These include Compo Bio Moss-Free or Celaflor Naturen Moss-Free as well as Natria 3 Hours Organic Weed-Free. However, you are usually not spared manual rework. Self-cleaning products such as Celaflor stone cleaner or GrünEx stone cleaner are based on chemical ingredients and all the associated risks to he alth and nature.
Tip
Neither moss nor lichens cause any damage to trees. Both the green land plants and the colorful communities simply use the bark as a substrate to hold on to. Moss and lichens do not act as parasites, so control is not necessary.
