... get the green stuff off?

[ina]

My garden fence and the wooden bench sport a wonderful coat of green - algae or whatever. Now I know there's stuff I can buy to get it off - but it's quite expensive and probably nasty chemicals. If that's what I have to use, do you think that (equally nasty) bleach would do the job as well? I'd quite like to give the bench and the fence a lick of paint, but fear the green needs to come off first...

Any other ideas that don't break the bank?

[Green Aura]

I think bleach and a hard scrubbing brush are the answer, ina. But you can use that oxygen bleach instead of smelly chlorine, so it's not so bad. Still involves scrubbing though.

Or you could use a pressure washer.

[rmvanderspek]

You could also use salt or vinegar. But be careful not to spoil it, while most living things will die.

[ina]

Hmmm - I think a pressure washer would get rid of the fence and the bench altogether... They both are pretty old and wobbly, but I can't afford a new fence yet! And I have some paint knocking about. Must say, I've never seen oxygen bleach anywhere. Salt and vinegar? Might be worth a try!

Thanks for your ideas!

[Skippy]

Funnily enough a customer of mine had his patio pressure washed and asked if the wooden swing and some " garden structures" could be done while we were there. The pressure washer did clean the timber although care needs to be taken to watch tearing the grain.
But to be honest if the fence and bench are that rickerty that the washer will turn them to splinters then I'd personally not bother as it seems they are pretty much at the end of their life and not really spending time or money on.

[ina]

True - but I do have some paint, so that wouldn't cost anything, and I can't afford new stuff altogether... Well, I'll see. Probably won't find the energy to do anything about it, anyway.

Wonder what would happen if I just painted the green over?!

[Green Aura]

Oxygen bleach = Oxyclean or Vanish. Stupormarkets do their own brands too, in the laundry section.

[ina]

Oxygen bleach = Oxyclean or Vanish. Stupormarkets do their own brands too, in the laundry section.

Thanks - I shall keep my eyes open for that!

[diggernotdreamer]

If you can get to it while the fence is dry, a wire brush is quite good at getting green off, that's how I do my wooden benches before I give them a coat of Linseed

[ina]

Ah - that reminds me - have been meaning to get a wire brush for some time! Will try.

[doofaloofa]

...and paint them green

that way you won't see the algae next year

[ina]

...and paint them green

that way you won't see the algae next year

Excellent idea!

I do actually have a tin of green that's been around for ages and I mean to use for the bench... But the stuff for the fence is dark brown.

[doofaloofa]

Go green!