When it comes to increasing the curb appeal of your home, getting rid of moss on your lawn, roof, and driveway is a great place to start. However, not everyone knows how to kill it. Moss multiplies if left unattended, but staying on top of problem areas before they become overrun is key to moss control.
You can stay on top of your home improvement by using these homemade moss killer recipes. If you notice moss growth, you don’t need to call in landscaping experts or use harsh chemicals that could damage your environment—you can handle the problem yourself with a few handy ingredients.
In this article, we’re sharing natural ways how to get rid of moss. No matter if it’s a large area or small, these simple methods will ensure the exterior of your home always looks its best.
Amazing Homemade Moss Killer Tips & Recipes
We have several choices for you when it comes to how to get rid of moss in lawns, between bricks or pavers in your walkway or other areas where it doesn’t belong. Try one or more until you get the moss-free surface you want.
Homemade Moss Killer
This natural homemade moss killer uses ingredients you can find in your kitchen.
Mix the water, salt, and vinegar in a bucket, and then add as much soap as needed, as long as it totals less than 20 percent of the mixture. Soap helps the moss absorb the other ingredients, which then work to dry out the moss and kill it – if you have any moss on the ground, cover it with this solution.
You can apply it with a spray bottle, using enough to dampen the moss. However, you have to be careful with this recipe, as it will kill any plant—avoid spraying fruits, vegetables, or living tree branches.
Leave the solution for a couple of days, and once it’s done its job, you can dig up the dead moss in your yard and discard it. Scrape the moss from hard surfaces like rocks with a sponge or brush.
Use Iron Sulfate
The reason there is moss growing in your lawn is likely because you have acidic soil or some other conditions that make it difficult for grass to grow. That’s why iron sulfate, also known as ferrous sulfate, is a great way to control moss before it gets out of hand.
Mix water with iron sulfate in a large bucket. It is best to do this outside, as ferrous sulfate can stain wood, concrete, or other non-organic materials. Pour the mixture into a hand sprayer, watering can, or another container that has a spray nozzle.
To kill moss, spray or shower it with your solution, wetting it thoroughly. Avoid contact with non-organic materials like patio furniture or any decorations you might have in your garden. If made with the recommended ratio, this mixture is not harmful to grass, but may turn it a darker green.
After the moss turns brown, you can loosen it and remove it using a garden rake about three or four days after application. Applying this moss removal treatment in early winter or spring is best.
Natural Moss Killer for Lawns
Many commercial lawn moss killers contain a lot of chemicals you’ve probably never heard of, so with this homemade weed killer recipe, you’ll know everything you’re putting on your lawn.
Mix the baking soda and water in a spray bottle and shake until the solution is well-mixed. Walk around, spraying any moss patches with your natural moss killer for lawns. You want to soak the moss, so apply enough cover it thoroughly.
It is best to work with nature for optimal results with this natural moss killer for lawns, so do this on a warm, sunny day. The heat of the sun will help to dry out the moss quickly. Repeat as needed until the moss is dead.
Use a Pressure Washer
A pressure washer isn’t a great way to prevent moss growth, but it is an excellent solution for killing moss. It is perfect for moss with a shallow root, so areas with a couple of inches on a hard surface—such as sidewalks, pavers, or concrete.
This is not the best option for roofs or lawns, as the pressure that loosens the moss can also break off other materials you want to stay in place.
Homemade Moss Killer for Roofs
While moss is typically not harmful, it could cause minor damage to a roof. Moss retains moisture, which could pose a problem for wood shingles, where rotting and decay could occur. However, this homemade moss killer for roofs can quickly fix the issue.
Mix the bleach with the water in a large bucket. If you need to get rid of moss on your roof, the hardest part is the labor required.
Get a stiff-bristle scrub brush and attach it to the end of a pole—if you don’t have a random pole hanging around, a broom will work as well. Carefully get up to your roof and brush downward to knock the moss loose. It is best to do this on a calm, overcast day.
Grab your oxygen bleach solution and apply it to all sections of moss growth. Continue layering the solution as needed to keep the moss damp for 20 minutes. Using your brush, scrub the moss off of your roof, working from top to bottom.
Rinse your roof with cold water. We love this recipe because you can add a little bit of liquid dish soap to it and use it as a DIY deck cleaner.
If these homemade moss killer options don’t help you control moss in your yard, then a soil test might be necessary to get to the root of the problem. Otherwise, these recipes and techniques are a great way to get your property picture-perfect.
Recipe for Homemade Moss Killer
Homemade Moss Killer
Get rid of moss from unwanted areas with this DIY spray.
Materials
- 4 drops dishwashing liquid
- 1 tbsp white vinegar
- 16 ounces table salt
- 1 gallon water
Tools
- Tablespoon
- Measuring cup
- Bucket
- Spray bottle
Instructions
- Add the first four ingredients to the bucket and stir well to combine.
- Pour some of the solution into a sprayer.
- On a sunny day, thoroughly spray the moss you want to get rid of.
- Let the moss killer work for a few days with no rain.
- Pull up the dead moss.
Notes
This DIY mixture will kill all vegetation indiscriminately, so be sure to only apply it to what you want to kill.
If this article helped you learn how to get rid of moss, then we hope you’ll share these moss killer tips with your friends and family!