... get the green stuff off?
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- A selfsufficientish Regular
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... get the green stuff off?
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?
Any other ideas that don't break the bank?
Ina
I'm a size 10, really; I wear a 20 for comfort. (Gina Yashere)
I'm a size 10, really; I wear a 20 for comfort. (Gina Yashere)
- Green Aura
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Re: ... get the green stuff off?
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.
Or you could use a pressure washer.
Maggie
Never doubt that you can change history. You already have. Marge Piercy
Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage. Anais Nin
Never doubt that you can change history. You already have. Marge Piercy
Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage. Anais Nin
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Re: ... get the green stuff off?
You could also use salt or vinegar. But be careful not to spoil it, while most living things will die.
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Re: ... get the green stuff off?
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!
Thanks for your ideas!
Ina
I'm a size 10, really; I wear a 20 for comfort. (Gina Yashere)
I'm a size 10, really; I wear a 20 for comfort. (Gina Yashere)
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Re: ... get the green stuff off?
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.
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.
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Re: ... get the green stuff off?
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?!
Wonder what would happen if I just painted the green over?!
Ina
I'm a size 10, really; I wear a 20 for comfort. (Gina Yashere)
I'm a size 10, really; I wear a 20 for comfort. (Gina Yashere)
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Re: ... get the green stuff off?
Oxygen bleach = Oxyclean or Vanish. Stupormarkets do their own brands too, in the laundry section.
Maggie
Never doubt that you can change history. You already have. Marge Piercy
Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage. Anais Nin
Never doubt that you can change history. You already have. Marge Piercy
Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage. Anais Nin
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Re: ... get the green stuff off?
Thanks - I shall keep my eyes open for that!Green Aura wrote:Oxygen bleach = Oxyclean or Vanish. Stupormarkets do their own brands too, in the laundry section.
Ina
I'm a size 10, really; I wear a 20 for comfort. (Gina Yashere)
I'm a size 10, really; I wear a 20 for comfort. (Gina Yashere)
- diggernotdreamer
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Re: ... get the green stuff off?
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
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Re: ... get the green stuff off?
Ah - that reminds me - have been meaning to get a wire brush for some time! Will try.
Ina
I'm a size 10, really; I wear a 20 for comfort. (Gina Yashere)
I'm a size 10, really; I wear a 20 for comfort. (Gina Yashere)
- doofaloofa
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Re: ... get the green stuff off?
...and paint them green
that way you won't see the algae next year
that way you won't see the algae next year
ina wrote: die dümmsten Bauern haben die dicksten Kartoffeln
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Re: ... get the green stuff off?
Excellent idea!doofaloofa wrote:...and paint them green
that way you won't see the algae next year
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.
Ina
I'm a size 10, really; I wear a 20 for comfort. (Gina Yashere)
I'm a size 10, really; I wear a 20 for comfort. (Gina Yashere)
- doofaloofa
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Re: ... get the green stuff off?
Go green!
ina wrote: die dümmsten Bauern haben die dicksten Kartoffeln