Over time, driveways can become a breeding ground for lichen, mould and algae. Spores entering the cracks and crevices grow, making your driveway their home. Along with the mud, dirt and oil stains, these unwanted guests discolour your driveway and make it unsightly.
You may be tempted to power wash your driveway, but it may not be the best idea for the following reasons:
- High pressure can be damaging to older tarmac and resin bound surfaces
- The jet water strength blows out sand from the joints of block paving
- Can also be damaging at needlessly high settings or when held too close to surface
- May not be able to get rid of all the stubborn stains
Scrubbing your driveway clean with detergents and hot water will not work if the stains are aggressive. This is also a rather laborious task and if doesn’t yield results, will be a wasted effort.
Driveway cleaners get the job done conveniently
Sweeping away debris is an easy task,but removing stains is best left to cleaners designed for this very purpose.
There is no single chemical cleaner that can handle algae, oil stains, weeds and other types of stains on your driveway. Cleaners are purpose-designed to be effective at getting out one or more types of stains and organisms.
For instance, a pollution and grease cleaner will do precisely that – get rid of deep oil stains. Weeds growing out of the cracks in your driveway? Buy a weed killer and prevent weed growth for acouple of months at least.
For lichen, algae and moss, a cleaner containing an active ingredient such as benzalkonium chloride, is necessary to kill the spores and cells of these organisms. In fact, benzalkonium chloride is used to control different types of organic growth, including fungi, mould, bacteria and liverwort.
See which of these best driveway cleaners can return your driveway to its pristine appearance:
1) Patio Cleaner
Patio Magic! Liquid Concentrate Mould, Algae and Moss Killer can be used on hard surfaces indoor and outdoor, and can be used as a pre-paint fungicidal wash. Patio Magic kills green mould in 2-4 days, and gently cleans the exposed surfaces in the weeks to come. This biodegradable cleaner is suitable to treat your patios, fencing, driveways and all round hard surfaces.
2) Moss Mould Lichen & Algae Remover
Pretty amazing stuff. You must have patience to allow this stuff to do its work but after time it’s eradicated the lichen and algae which grows inside the porous stone. And most important nowadays is that its environmentally friendly and doesn’t pollute its surroundings.
3) Green Mould & Algae Remover
Highly concentrated formula that is one of the strongest green mould and algae removers available on the market. Helps to prevent the re-growth of green mould and algae as it lives an invisible barrier that is active for up to 6 months.
Suitable for all hard surfaces: Perfect for use on patios, decking, fencing, paths, driveways, roofs, sheds, greenhouses, garden statues, terracotta pots, Upvc windows, boats, caravans, motor homes and all outdoor hard surfaces.
4) Patio Fencing Decking – Moss Mould & Algae Killer
Jarder spray and leave cleaner kills all green mould moss & algae with ease, without the need for scrubbing or pressure washing. Easy instructions on what quantity to fill up the garden spray with. Easy to apply and within a few days the magic began to happen.
The areas sprayed are totally clean and this product is as good as some more expensive products.