While the Great British weather is nothing if not unpredictable, it’s true that sunshine and warmer temperatures are soon to be well and truly upon us. But as we all take to the outdoors for alfresco dinners, sunbathing in the garden and weekly BBQs, many may find a big green monster has been waiting for us all winter long: green algae.
Slimy, slippery and less than appealing – I’m sure we’re all familiar with the seemingly inevitability of green algae. It coats our outdoor furniture in a green tinge that’s not only ugly, but also not exactly enticing us to have a sit-down. Cleaning up your garden furniture is a key part of spring-cleaning, enabling you to comfortably enjoy your garden cobweb-free – but removing algae is a huge part of that and often the hardest task.
Luckily for you, I have a couple of handy tips for removing green algae from garden furniture in a way that requires minimal elbow grease, uses household essentials you probably already have and shouldn’t take more than 30 minutes.
Where does the green algae come from?
Green algae thrives on a combination of damp, darkness and limited airflow, so, when you begin to think about how you store your garden furniture over the winter, I'm sure this kind of environment may start to sound familiar.
Wood, rattan and textured plastics (all the most common materials for garden furniture) are especially prone because they trap moisture and give algae something to cling to. Smooth metal or sealed surfaces tend to resist it better.
How to remove it?
When it comes to sprucing up your outdoor furniture ahead of summer, if you uncover your set to find it’s grown more than just a few cobwebs, it might take more than a little dusting to get it garden-party-ready. Luckily, when it comes to combatting green algae, some of the most effective methods are super simple and likely involve ingredients you already have in your cupboards.
Vinegar
White vinegar remains one of the most versatile products you can have in your at-home cleaning arsenal – it’s great at stain-busting and evidently algae-busting, too. Mix a solution of equal parts white vinegar to water. Either add to a spray bottle or simply pour directly on to the affected area. Leave for 10-15 minutes, then use a soft brush to wipe away the slime. The acidic nature of the vinegar kills the algae at the root, making it easy to lift off and preventing it from returning any time soon. Just be cautious as it can damage natural stone or untreated wood if left on too long, so best avoided if your furniture fits this category.
Washing-up liquid
It doesn’t get simpler or more traditional than good old washing-up liquid. It may sound obvious that soap cleans things, but washing-up liquid is seriously overlooked when it comes to items other than mucky pots and pans. It’s more of a quick fix or handy refresh when you’re in a pinch, as while its surfactants will lift away grime and organic matter that algae feed on, breaking down the slippery film that allows it to cling to surfaces, it doesn’t actually kill algae spores in a meaningful way; it just removes what’s there.
Mix warm water and a few drops of washing-up liquid in a bucket and use a sponge or brush to wipe away the greenery. Scrub lightly and rinse often. This is best used for light algae, regular maintenance or as a follow-up treatment to any of the other solutions on this list – after all, no one wants to sit on a sofa that smells like a chip shop.
Bicarbonate of soda
Another hero of the cleaning (and baking) cupboard is bicarbonate of soda. This treatment is best used for targeting particularly stubborn patches and spores – think of it like green algae spot-treating.
Mix bicarb and a small amount of water until you create a paste. Apply the paste to the tricky patches and scrub gently with a soft brush before rinsing off with water. If you’ve allowed the spores to build up for a long time, you may need to repeat. This hack is great for textured plastic, grout-like surfaces or ingrained algae, but avoid using on any delicate coatings due to its abrasive nature.
Lemon juice
If you’re really in a pinch and want a fresher-smelling alternative to vinegar, a squeeze of lemon juice could do the trick. While it’s not as strong as vinegar, it’s all natural and can be great for small areas and lighter growth.
Combine equal parts fresh lemon juice with water and add to a spray bottle to make your own homemade algae cleaner. Thoroughly spray the affected area and allow the zesty solution to sit for at least 10 minutes. Follow up with a scrub and a rinse to lift all that green grime.
The natural acidity of the juice helps break down and weaken the algae’s structure, making it easier to wipe away. Similarly to vinegar, the acid also creates an environment that algae struggle to survive in. The added bonus of using lemons is that its juices are also naturally antibacterial and cut through grime, helping to lift away the dirt algae feed on.
How to prevent green algae?
As is the case with almost all sporting- and cleaning-related issues, the best defence is a good offence. The key to keeping your garden furniture from decaying prematurely and succumbing to the green monster is by preventing it from settling in in the first place.
- Keep it dry: The less damp, the less algae. Try to wipe down furniture after rain showers and make sure each component is bone dry before storing away again next winter.
- Sunlight: Algae likes it dark, so the more of a sun trap you place your furniture in, the better. Plus, surely you’ll be wanting to catch some rays from your clean and shiny deckchairs anyway?
- Clean it: Regularly cleaning is often the key to maintaining furniture, but especially when it’s constantly exposed to the elements. Make sure to keep on top of removing any debris or dirt that might build up, as this is what algae feeds on.
- Breathable covers: When it comes to storing, you’ll definitely want to use covers, but make sure they’re breathable. Algae thrives with limited airflow and trapped moisture, so your furniture will need to have access to fresh air if it’s going to fight it off.
- Protect: Unsealed or untreated wood is particularly susceptible to green algae. Add a layer of protection by sealing or weather-treating the wood, especially before storing away for the winter.
